Check out this young Run It Back prospect turning heads and impressing scouts at the Adidas Phenom Camp in San Diego this summer.
This incoming 6th grader plays the game at a higher level and plays against kids in higher grades. Check out his story!
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WL 6th grader ranked nationally
By Matthew Sherman
The West Linn Tidings, Aug 26, 2010
West Linn’s David Vasquez has been making a name for himself on the basketball court. He plays point guard against players three years older than him and recently earned recognition at a camp in San Diego.
West Linn's David Vasquez is ranked as one of the top forwards in the country for the class of 2017. The incoming sixth grader at Rosemont Ridge Middle School received that ranking at the recent Adidas Jr. Phenoms National Camp in San Diego.
However, it's interesting to note that Vasquez generally doesn't play with his fellow members of the class of 2017, nor is forward his natural position.
Vasquez lives to play point guard and he has had plenty of success at that position with the Run it Back Sports 8th grade team out of Beaverton.
Against players considerably older and stronger than he is, Vasquez more than holds his own, weaving his way through defenders with a knack for getting to the hoop and for setting up his teammates.
"That assist stat is always what's on his mind," David's father Dan said.
Vasquez is a quintessential gym rat, practicing for hours each day to improve his game.
When he was younger, Vasquez didn't have a hoop in his backyard so he focused on his dribbling and ball handling skills.
"He has friends who can shoot the ball really well and that kind of frustrates him but I keep telling him that it's more important to be able to get open," Dan Vasquez said.
He loves being able to get into the open court and is always looking for the open player.
Now Vasquez is concentrating on improving his shooting to round out his game even more.
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Vasquez has also played for West Linn's 5th grade select team primarily as a forward as he is tall for his age.
But he has enjoyed playing up against older competition.
"I just have to work harder since I'm shorter than everyone," David said.
Playing at that level is not without its potential hazards however. Not long ago, Vasquez was battling for a rebound with a player a foot taller than him and was caught with an elbow, leaving him with a nasty cut on his head.
From the time he was in second grade, Vasquez made it a goal of his to get on the radar nationally for his basketball skills and accomplished that in San Diego where he was ranked 15th overall.
"It was fun getting noticed. That was something I wanted to do for a while," David said.
But he knows that he could likely be ranked higher when judged at point guard, his natural position.
Vasquez will continue playing with his club teams through middle school and is anticipating his first year at Rosemont which starts in a few weeks.
"I'm excited but I don't think I'll like the homework part," David said.
He may also go out for the track team this spring but, for now, he can still be found in the gym nearly every afternoon.
