Recruiting Update: RJ Veliz (2019 Blanchet Catholic HS/Hoop Salem)
The past week RJ Veliz has been able to take a deep breath. The solid 6-foot-2, 180-pound point guard from Blanchet Catholic finished off summer ball with Hoop Salem, so it was only natural he could take a break. But things will pick up pretty quickly as Veliz has a college recruitment to sort through. He’s about to hit the road to make some campus visits and is hoping a scholarship offer is right around the corner.
Veliz reflected back on the past month. “July went really well,” Veliz said. “I felt like I shot the ball really well from deep and also handled the ball really well against pressure. I thought it was great (playing with Skinny, Jaden Nielsen-Skinner, who returned to Hoop Salem after playing with Seattle Rotary). Him and I have really good chemistry due to playing with each other since we were young and both can run the point so it helped a lot having him back.”
With his AAU career all done, Veliz is now focused on his college recruitment. “I played some great basketball in front of coaches and multiple colleges have been calling me and texting me often,” Veliz said, noting that Idaho State, Seattle U, Portland, Point Loma, Cal State East Bay, Academy of Art U, Holy Names, Carroll College, Lewis-Clark State, among others have been in contact. “I am going to be taking a few unofficial visits this month to some of those schools.”
Veliz notes that Point Loma, Art Academy University, and Carroll College may all be close to offering a scholarship. He will be busy visiting schools the next few weeks, starting with Point Loma Elite Camp this weekend. From there, he’s planning on visiting Cal State East Bay, Carroll, Academy of Art U, Lewis-Clark State, Holy Names, and Seattle University.
“I think that once one offers the rest will snowball hopefully,” Veliz said. “If I visit a school that offers and I feel like it is the right fit then I might sign early. All depends on fit and how I feel on campus and the caliber of school/program it is.”
Veliz currently ranks as the #9 player in the PrepHoops Class of 2019 rankings.