BY ZACH SMART
Getting downhill with a full head of steam, turning in crafty finishes around the rim, and playing with unbridled energy on both sides of the floor, Class of 2027 Drive Nation guard Elijah Paez was among the breakout performers during Peach Jam.
A big guard at 6-foot-5 and possessing a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Paez averaged 14 points, seven boards, two steals and 1.5 blocks throughout.
He was among the headliners for a short-handed and significantly undermanned, undersized Drive Nation team which garnered a berth in the Peach Jam title game, despite playing with a thinned out six-man roster.
A creative offensive threat, Paez scored 20 points and grabbed five boards, methodically propelling Drive Nation to the finals with a 63-51 semifinal victory over the NY Rens.
Paez stuck a barrage of difficultly contested shots during the cranked up pressure paralleling Peach Jam’s stretch run.
He consistently hit leaning bankers from 7-8 feet away from the basket. Paez ultimately catalyzed Drive Nation, which rapidly wore Cinderella’s slipper through an unlikely and jarringly unprojected power surge.
Entering arguably the summer’s most highly reputable event as a relative unknown, Paez was recently offered by UConn this past week.
On Wednesday, Paez explained that the offer from Connecticut has special resonance to him given the Huskies’ style and make up.
He said he cherishes Dan Hurley’s fiery style of coaching. The full throttle, at your throat mentality Hurley employs on the sidelines echoes considerably with Paez.
This is the style he’s experienced through most of his athletic livelihood.
“Coach Hurley’s coaching style is what I’m used to,” Paez explained.
“Growing up, my father was always hard on me when it came to sports. He always put me in a ‘eat what you kill’ environment. I’ve always been pushed to my limits and I’ve always found a way to succeed. Coach Hurley’s coaching style is in line with my upbringing.”
Beyond Connecticut, Xavier, DePaul, Cal, Texas-Arlington, Texas Rio Grande Valley, UTEP, Air Force, Jacksonville, New Mexico State and several others have offered.
Hurley and the Huskies’ staff first discovered during EYBL Session II in Memphis earlier in the summer. Paez was offered this past week.
“The Big East has been showing me love,” said Paez, who employed a multi-positional defensive aptitude with his shot-blocking and knack for altering the trajectory of shots.
“I’ve had steady contact with UConn, Xavier, and DePaul. Outside the Big East, I’ve been in steady contact with Cal–Berkeley and Colorado.”
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