Rumble in Hialeah: David Perez transfers back to Riviera Prep
David Perez is back at Miami Riviera Prep. Perez, who attended Riviera Schools from third grade through his sophomore season prior to transferring to University School in Davie, brings leadership and solid guard play to a Bulldogs program that made…
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Continue ReadingDavid Perez is back at Miami Riviera Prep.
Perez, who attended Riviera Schools from third grade through his sophomore season prior to transferring to University School in Davie, brings leadership and solid guard play to a Bulldogs program that made the state tournament in Class 4A in 2018-19 under coach Anthony Shahbaz.
At Wednesday’s Rumble in Hialeah Team Camp, put on by Florida National University, Perez & Co. went 1-1. Riviera Prep lost to an impressive Mater Academy squad, 83-46, before coming back to down Miami Palmetto, 57-55.
“He came back and he’s provided us good senior leadership, a nice spark,” Shahbaz said of Perez, who returned along with his younger brother, 2022 Enrique Perez. “Something we didn’t have last year, someone attacking from the perimeter position. But it’s only our fifth game together [this offseason]. So, the chemistry we’re still working on.”
David Perez scored in a variety of ways on the way to 18 points in the victory over Palmetto. The 6-foot-2 2020 guard is also impressive on the glass.
2022 point guard Esteban Lluberes knocked home the winning points vs. Palmetto, canning two free throws with 15 seconds to play.
Lluberes finished with 11 points, 6-6 2023 Osmar Garcia Araujo added 13 points and 2020 A.J. Hoynack had 10. Garcia Araujo looks to have a bright future for such a young player. He runs the court, has good footwork, uses an array of ball fakes and is an excellent passer.
“Ups and downs right now,” Shahbaz said of the club’s play. “We’re trying to get the kinks out early in the season. Hopefully we can work through. This is the third time we’ve played this team [Mater Academy] in the past week. We won the first meeting; they’ve won the last two. Kind of have our number in the last two — more of an effort thing. That first game we were really motivated, came out stuck it to them. Played hard, first to the ground, first to the boards. The last two games it’s been the complete opposite.”
Perez was a reserve guard on the University School team that won the Class 5A state championship and qualified for the second season in a row for GEICO Nationals.
He talked about what he learned playing under coach Jim Carr and the Sharks. “Literally what it takes to win a championship,” Perez said. “To be playing at the highest level of high school basketball.
“Every day you’ve got to come in and work hard. It’s got to be a team. Not one person can do it. Last year we had Vernon [Carey Jr.]. But we have Scottie [Barnes], we had everyone. Everyone had to contribute a little bit. In practice and the game everyone had to come in and work. I want to bring that over here. Not just one guy can do it by himself.”
Perez has a scholarship offer from Ave Maria. Boston College, Barry University, Columbia, UMass, NYU and John Hopkins have all shown interest.
If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via Twitter at @PLamRecruiting or through e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com