Sierra Linda High School's talented 6-foot-5, 175-pound senior forward Damian Mendoza was one of the state's best sleeper prospects during his senior season. While soaring under the recruiting radar as a senior prospect, Mendoza turned in a strong senior season - helping lead his high school program to a strong 27-3 overall record on the season.
After finishing off a strong high school career for himself and soaring well under the recruiting radar, Mendoza has accepted an offer from Northern Arizona head coach Jack Murphy and his hard-working basketball staff to walk on next year for the Lumberjacks, in an attempt to earn a scholarship for the future.
Mendoza, ranked as our #3 small forward among senior prospects (2013 class) in the state, is among the state’s most athletically gifted wing prospects and has a lot of promise for the future. While he has always been rated among the top overall prospects in his class since middle school, Mendoza was a very underrated prospect with college coaches, scouts and media since he did not play for a high-profile club program. A very gifted athlete with excellent upside, Mendoza plays well above the rim and is excellent in transition and while slashing to the basket. He has an excellent motor as a player and thrives in the open floor.
Mendoza is a solid ball handler and passer and has a good mid-range shooting stroke, while still needing to become more consistent from three-point distance. Mendoza still needs to add some serious size to his thin frame to maximize his potential as a player. Once he does, he should blossom as a player. He is a very good defender that plays the passing lanes, and also is a good shotblocker as a result of his unique athleticism.
Mendoza averaged 15 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.8 steals per/game this season for Sierra Linda HS - strong numbers for a talented team this season led by head coach Ramon Marks.
Congratulations to Mendoza and his family on this decision, as this young man is an absolute steal as a walk-on, and has the potential to develop into a serious player in the Big Sky Conference.
