Prep Hoops Circuit Preview: Arnold Elite National Team
Last year Arnold Elite was one of the programs that really caught our eye with a nice season. What does Jay Arnold’s team have going for them this spring/summer? We have a look at the team now!
We asked coach Arnold to first break down his coaching resume so basketball fans in Texas have a better idea of his history as a coach.
“I am entering my fourthg season as a Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach with the Tigers for the 2022-23 season. I helped helped lead the Tigers to a 10-2 (8-1 SCAC) NCAA D3 record during the 2021 spring season.
“I am now the Head Varsity Mens basketball coach at Saint Mary’s Hall. Finishing up my first year. Prior to St. Mary’s Hall, I was the owner of S.A. Arnold Elite & Lady Arnold Elite, I am now just a coach for our National boys side. After being bought out by Christina Gutierrez as she is now the current team AAU owner and director of program. She has stepped in to help run and keep this going to even better and bigger new heights as the program is now being held with over 140 kids in the program. Ranging from 4th-12th.
“This move allowed me more focus on the H.S. UIL & TAPPS side and coach NCAA level. It’s been great just being able to show up and coach. It’s funny, people come up to me still and I’m like ‘now I’m just a coach and on the jersey is just a name’.”
And how is the team looking for this spring?
“Every AAU season our goal is to put 2-4 kids in college, and build our program not by numbers but quality. We know everyone is not division one but some can play at other levels. We have done a great job with this over the past seven years. Proud of the work we have put in our city of San Antonio.”
“At point guard we have unique players,” Arnold said. ‘This 2024 class is special with Kellen Jedlicka (6-foot-5 point/forward from Grace Christian of Alaska) and Romeo Hall (6-foot-6 point forward of Wagner) running our offense for us. Long guards who can knock the three down and play defense.
“With Romeo, he enjoys playing above the rim as a big guard. And can light it up from anywhere on the floor. Also his motor is insane! With Kellen Jedlicka, his maturity on and off the floor is remarkable. Also his ability to pass the ball is out of this world for a big guard of his stature. He scores so effortlessly that it looks like he’s not even trying hard.”
And who are these players creating offense for on the wing?
“We got so many, you’ve seen what my 2023s did last year in Kansas and Tennessee. This 2024 class is loaded back up. Brodee Rheinberger, Rico Hernandez, Carlos Cirlos III, Dom Hernandez and Xavier Tuggle Xavier Tuggle 6'0" | CG Veterans Memorial | 2024 TX . All of them will light it up and get back and play defense!”
Brodee Rheinberger is a known shooter from Churchill that had a fantastic winter shooting the basketball.
What about up front?
“Our team captain and leader over the last six years is Malakai Maddox (also from Churchill),” Arnold said. ‘We have acquired 6-foot-8 Eddie McAfee who holds multiple division two and division three offers, 6-foot-7 Malcolm Collymore, 6-foot-5 Wilson Newman who hold multiple division two and division three offers as well, and 6-foot-5 James Eastman. We look really big. Problem is if games is up and down we go to our guards quick.”
And how has the team done so far?
“We have struggled. Battling injury, a couple multi sport athletes competing for state at their perspective schools. We should be at full strength this weekend going to live period and next weekend going into your Prep Hoops Live period next weekend.”