Coach Evaluation: Wheza Panzo
Revolving door programs like Findlay Prep, Huntington Prep, and other elite prep options rarely get to develop a player over several years. It just isn’t the way they recruit or operate.
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (HHCA) is somehow able to attract foreign and domestic talents at a young age, many from Canada, and then work to improve their games, bodies, and minds while maintaining a highly competitive program.
Mississauga-native Wheza Panzo, for example, continues to evolve and improve.
“A lot better,” said Head Coach Zach Ferrell. “Like, so last year he kinda played that four-man role for us and just kinda rebounded and played defense. He will be a much more versatile wing for us.”
Blessed to win Gold at @CanadaGames with @OBANews Thank You to Team Ontario and Canada Games for the Great Experience 🥇 pic.twitter.com/c4ny5bKVTL
— Wheza Panzo (@nolimitwhez) August 7, 2017
Panzo (Class of 2019) doesn’t really have a specific position, but he has a distinct value.
“I just think for us he is going to have to play a bunch of different positions and I think that is what he is really good at is playing a bunch of different positions,” said HHCA Head Coach Ferrell. Being able to handle the ball, being able to defend multiple guys and then just getting more and more comfortable in that role.”
Watching him practice early October the confidence and buy-in have really changed for Wheza. He is no longer deferring. Judging purely by his body language and aggression, Panzo knows how good he is and does not cower from the constant competition HHCA practices entail.
Elias Sbiet sees the maturation of Wheza Panzo too. He has been evaluating Panzo since ninth grade and “saw him at National Team Camp again two weeks ago.”
Elias Sbiet is Director of NorthPoleHoops.com and a wonderful evaluator of Canadian youth talent.
“Wheza is in a transition phase,” said Elias Sbiet. “He has played multiple positions throughout his young career, yet the most fitting seems to be that of point guard.”
Coach Ferrell and Elias Sbiet agree on Panzo’s skillset and ultimate position. “He is still learning about himself as a person and growing in the sense of becoming a leader,” said Sbiet.
In the coming months Wheza Panzo will get to prove this HHCA team is his. He can command the offense and defend anybody on the floor. His size and strength are unique and the training he gets with both his AAU program and HHCA are setting him up for a perfect multi-position defender.
“He should definitely be able to defend from 1-3 when it’s said and done,” said Elias Sbiet. “Half of the battle (for Wheza) is rising to the occasion and constantly challenging himself.”
The exploits of Wheza are well known by Tariq Sbiet (National Scout @NorthPoleHoops).
“Wheza Panzo is multifaceted in his skill set,” said Tariq Sbiet. “At around 6-foot-6 he has the ability to dribble, pass, and shoot–an unselfish playmaker that has a point guards attitude, and could one day transition full time with the right opportunity.”
Versatile
Versatility can be a blessing or a crutch. Does Wheza Panzo do anything great? What skill of his jumps off the page?
“I think what he does great is he always makes the right play,” said HHCA Head Coach Ferrell. “He is always making the smart decision, the right play at the right time. Vision and decision-making are two things he is very good at. I know that some people like people to be great at specific things, but I just think that is who Wheza is. He can do a lot of different things. He can shoot the 3 really well. He can plaky around the basket. He can bring it up in the fullcourt and it just gives us a lot of options with him.”
Think of Wheza like a point forward. He will make wonderful passes in the open floor or even in tight spaces. If he slashes and breaks down the defense, Panzo can still make an efficient choice in the lane. The junior tends to find open teammates. And he doesn’t mind setting up other scorers.
“As it stands he is a playmaker and threat from anywhere on the floor with versatility on both sides of the ball due to his combination of size, length, agility and IQ,” said Tariq Sbiet.
Versatility, versatility, versatility. Don’t be fooled by his height. The handle and the vision suggest Wheza will distribute and feed great teammates for years to come.
“I just think for us he is going to have to play a bunch of different positions and I think that is what he is really good at is playing a bunch of different positions,” said HHCA Head Coach Ferrell. “Being able to handle the ball, being able to defend multiple guys and then just getting more and more comfortable in that role.”
When a player rebounds, defends, passes, and scores he doesn’t need a position title. Wheza Panzo is simply a hooper.