College Commitment – Cruz Veliz (2025 Woodburn)

After a stellar senior season - and high school career, Cruz Veliz Cruz Veliz 5'10" | PG Woodburn | 2025 State OR had a decision to make. Where would the shifty 5-foot-11 point guard go for college ball? The Woodburn senior certainly had no shortage of offers and opportunities, both close to home and further away. It was a tough choice, but Veliz bucked down and on Thursday night he announced that he had committed to Western Washington.

"It took me a while to make a decision especially with the other schools in the equation, and I was up late the past couple nights having deep conversations with my family but ultimately felt like the coaches and surrounding players were going to give me the best opportunity to succeed," Veliz said. "I was pretty blown away by the campus and the facilities at first, and then once I got to know the coaches and met the players it just felt really good and felt like home. I think a big thing for me too was being able to team up with (former Woodburn teammate) Liam Slattum again - this is something we had talked about since we first met, being able to play in college together, which is something the other schools weren't able to offer."

"Also, I felt a really good vibe and connection with the other players and fit in really well with them," Veliz added. "And then lastly just felt comfortable with the coaches and really had a strong connection with them from the first time we started talking till now."

Veliz selected Western Washington over offers from fellow GNAC schools Seattle Pacific and Western Oregon, and others such as Corban and Bushnell had also offered scholarships. In the end it was about the fit - and Veliz went into more detail what that will look for him on the court as well as what he'll need to continue improving on to make an impact.

"I fit in almost perfectly I feel like with the roster they have, when I went on my visit and played with them, I had instant chemistry with all of the players, was throwing lobs left and right to them and it just felt great," Veliz said. "But definitely I fit in well with them and am just going to bring another person with a winning mentality, which they already have a bunch of guys with. "Obviously I just wanna continue to get in the gym and work on everything, get stronger, and more athletic but more specifically looking to really work on and perfect my floaters and touch shots around rim, especially over bigger and taller defenders."

The college commitment caps off what was an incredible four-year career for Veliz at Woodburn, one where he not only got to play for his father but alongside people he'll be close to for the rest of his life.

"Just all the lifelong memories I had made playing the game I love with my best friends," Veliz said. "All the bus rides, team dinners, and hangouts together is probably what I'm going to remember the most. Just really going to remember having fun with the game and enjoying being around all the guys the past 4 years, all the different relationships within each of the four teams we had."

Our congratulations go out to Veliz and his family on his decision.