PEREZ TO UTEP
August 24, 2010Chad Groth
Special to ArizonaPreps.com
After high school, Tucson Pueblo High School's 6-foot-3 graduated senior guard Michael Perez graduated and noticed he needed one class to complete his transcript.
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| 6-foot-3 guard Mike Perez has signed with UTEP. |
While playing for Etop Udo-Ema's Compton Magic, Perez was offered by Steve Lavin and St. John's University after playing in Udo-Ema's All-West Camp in July. Perez commited to the Redmen, but, after reviewing his transcripts, he realized he needed one class to be eligible.
Perez shortly after returned to Tucson to Pueblo High School for a summer school class to make up the grade. After weeks of hold up through the NCAA Eligibility Center, he was cleared to sign with a division-I institution last week.
St. John's moved forward as did Perez, but new schools were calling.
"I was hearing from and planned on visits to Oregon and Rhode Island," said Perez.
University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) was always a great option for Perez, being just a 4-hour drive from his home in Tucson, AZ.
Perez and his father Frank Perez drove into El Paso, Texas, early Sunday morning and his bags were packed ready to sign and be a Miner. Udo-Ema had a very good relationship with UTEP Head Coach Tim Floyd. Floyd had a scholarship available - making it a perfect fit.
Perez is a 6-foot-3 shooting guard who is very athletic and can score baskets with ease.
"Mike Perez is the most athletic Hispanic player I have ever seen," said Udo-Ema.
Look for Mike Perez to play in the up-tempo system of Tim Floyd's UTEP Miners in Conference USA this season.
Posted by Chad Groth
