Nogales High School seems like many miles away from anywhere but it is actually within the state of Arizona. In fact, the program has produced many talented basketball players over the years and has built a winning basketball tradition in the process. The latest product of the program is Nogales High School's talented and hard-working 6-foot-1 senior point guard prospect Andres Marquez.
Marquez is coming off a terrific senior season of high school where he developed into one of the state's elite prospects, after leading Nogales to a strong 23-7 overall record on the season. Marquez averaged 19 points and 6.4 assists per/game, while also scoring 40+ points several times during the high school season.
Marquez proved just how good he was and can become in last year's Arizona Preps Fall Showcase, where he was among the top overall performers in the event. Marquez exploded in the tournament and was selected as the Surprise Performer from the weekend. The play of Marquez was enough to garner the attention of numerous college scouts and also high school coaches at the event.
“He is a player,” said Maryvale High School head coach Sebastion Payton, who coached Marquez in the Fall Showcase. “I didn't know who he was before the event, but he definitely got my attention. He is a serious ball player - a nice college prospect.”
After a long, grueling recruiting process where Marquez earned heavy interest from Texas-San Antonio, Nebraska-Kearney and numerous junior colleges, Marquez has decided to stay close to home, atleast for one season, and will play next fall at Pima Junior College. Marquez recently signed with the Aztecs and new head coach Brian Peabody.
Peabody takes over the Pima Junior College program again, after spending a season at the school in 2007.
While living in Nogales, many basketball enthusiasts across the state have not yet seen Marquez perform, but he is definitely worthy of serious recruiting attention.
Marquez is an athletically gifted performer that plays with excellent quickness and aggression on the basketball court. He likes to have the basketball in his hands and makes plays for himself and others at a high rate. He is a strong ball-handler with a very good feel for the game and an ability to get anywhere he wants to on the floor. Marquez is an excellent shooter with range and has a nice mid-range game as well, making him difficult to defend for opposing guards. He pushes the basketball up the floor as often as he can, and sees the floor very well – looking for the open teammate as often as he can, putting pressure on opposing defenses. He is also a very good defender with good lateral quickness and quick hands. Marquez is a terrific overall athlete and it shows in his ability to play the game. A pure-point guard prospect.
Marquez is also an excellent student and had a perfect 4.0 CUM GPA in high school. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and was his school’s Class President.
Congratulations to Marquez on his decision, and I look for big things from him in the future.
