Recruiting Report: Nigel Santa Cruz (2019)
Nigel Santa Cruz is a player who we’ve seen sporadically over the past year or so, but he really caught our eye with his effort and productivity during a recent scrimmage vs. Bishop McNamara. The unsigned senior, who is a 6-foot-3 lefty that plays much bigger than his listed height, prides himself on being a spark plug.”
“My game is full energy. Both on defensive end and offensive end,” Santa Cruz explained. “I like go get in the paint. Get dirty with anyone. I don’t care who it is. I don’t care how tall they are. I’m just that kind of person. I feel like I’m underrated at that, but that’s ok. I’m going to keep working on my game.”
Santa Cruz says he currently has a 2.6 GPA, and an SAT Score of 920. He is working on bringing up his cumulative this year, and his ultimate goal is to play in college. Santa Cruz does have one school recruiting him. Wilson College, a division three program in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
“They like the intensity I have; the energy. I put in the work on the court day and night.”
Over the summer, Santa Cruz says he worked hard to improve his free throw shooting. This was evident during the scrimmage we attended. Santa Cruz looked confident, comfortable, and showed nice touch from the charity stripe.
“I’m still working on my free throws, as well as ball-handling skills. Both right and left. And shooting overall.”
As a senior, Santa Cruz understands that his role is to keep his team together and be a leader.
“I’m always looking out for my teammates. Making sure they’re in the right place and doing what they’re supposed to.”
What are his goals?
My short term goals are to graduate college, be successful, and continue to stay in school. Even if this basketball thing doesn’t work out. I want to be in college and get a good job.”