Pima Community College (5-0, 12-0) is on fire this junior college season, as expected. With a very loaded roster of talent and numerous key returning star performers from last season's Conference Championship team, the Aztecs are off to an amazing undefeated start to the season. Pima CC has received a #6 national ranking, and is expected to even move up higher in the next national rankings for the NJCAA. The Aztecs are loaded this season and have an excellent balance of guards, wings and post players that are all contributing at a high level for legendary Head Coach Brian Peabody. But make no mistake about it, this team's success this season begins with the strong overall play of 5-foot-10 sophomore guard Cohenj Gonzales. After a tremendous freshman season where he earned Freshman of the Year honors, Gonzales decided to return to Pima in his sophomore season and is standing on business - leading his team and the ACCAC in numerous statistical categories.
Gonzales and his Pima teammates have been my considerable favorite to win this year's ACCAC Division-II Conference Title since the end to last season, when Pima won last year's Conference Championship in a narrow win over host Chandler-Gilbert Community College. It was well known by our Arizona Preps' staff that once it was announced that Gonzales would return for his sophomore season, this year's version of Pima would also be very good. The return of Gonzales to the Pima program, the nice additions of 6-foot-4 sophomore Max Majerle (Central Michigan transfer) and talented 6-foot-6 freshman Mason Hunt, and the continued strong play of 6-foot-8 sophomore Gabe Oldham and 6-foot-9 sophomore Wes Ball, and the Pima Aztecs have been rolling this season.
Gonzales is having his best season to date for himself, as he is posting excellent numbers on the season - currently ranking 3rd in the conference in scoring with 20.4 points per/game. He also ranks 3rd in assists in the conference with 6 assists per/game, and is shooting a high percentage from the field and the free-throw line. Gonzales is on pace this season for another post-season honor, but this season the ACCAC D-II Player of the Year honor.
Gonzales transitioned right to the ACCAC last season, after a strong high school career, and made an immediate impact in the ACCAC, as he helped lead his Pima program to an ACCAC D-II Conference title last season. He was also selected as the ACCAC D-II Freshman of the Year, and an All-ACCAC D-II First Team selection. Gonzales averaged 15.9 points and 3.7 assists per/game, while shooting 49.4% from the field and 45.1% from three-point distance. Gonzales was a major contributor last season for Head Coach Brian Peabody and his coaching staff - helping lead the Aztecs to a 29-6 overall record on the season, and an 18-4 record in conference play. Pima would win the ACCAC D-II Championship and also advance to the D-II National Tournament.
Gonzales is an absolute handful for opposing guards to defend and he has consistently proven it, as he has become one of the most difficult match-ups for opposing guards in junior college basketball. Gonzales has played with a high level of confidence this season, and is imposing his will on opposing guards - scoring and distributing the basketball at a high level this season.
Gonzales has definitely received his share of college interest as a result of his performance, and is hearing from numerous college programs currently. While he has received a host of offers for himself, Gonzales has yet to receive the right college offer or a Division-I offer for himself, which he is well deserving of. When you watch Gonzales play, it is exciting, as this young man plays with inspired effort throughout every game I have watched him compete in, and never stops running. He competes at a very high level all game, and plays much bigger than his smaller size suggests. His smaller frame does not matter, as he is always aggressive in his playing style and looks to get to the rim or make shots - always applying pressure on opposing defenses.
I look forward to watching Gonzales continue to lead this very talented Pima team for the remainder of his sophomore season, and am excited to see which college programs ultimately get involved with him from a recruiting standpoint as we go through the winter and prepare for a busy spring recruiting period. Gonzales is one of the top guard prospects in the national junior college ranks as a sophomore, which should continue to benefit him in his pursuit and focus to play Division-I basketball, or simply at the highest level that he can attain.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Gonzales is coming off an excellent freshman season, where he led Pima to the conference D-II Title, and also was selected as the Freshman of the Year in the ACCAC. When you watch Gonzales play, it is exciting, as this young man plays with inspired effort throughout every game I have watched him compete in, and never stops running. He competes at a very high level all game, and plays much bigger than his smaller size suggests. His smaller frame does not matter, as he is one of the very best shooters and scorers of the basketball in the ACCAC conference. He is also able to break down defenders and score off the dribble, although he can get too deep at times inside the paint. Very good defensively. While he is only 5-10 in height, he is able to play both guard positions on the floor, as needed. He is a floor general with the basketball in his hands and makes plays for himself and others, almost at will. His quickness is very difficult to match, but his intensity on the floor is what makes him so unique. He competes very hard on both ends of the floor. Has a bright future. A high academic student-athlete.
