Prospect Spotlight: Nate Mouzong (2021 Mountainside HS)
We’ve said it often enough that the Class of 2021 is deep in talent and Nate Mouzong Nate Mouzong 6'0" | CG Mountainside | 2021 State OR is an excellent example. The quick 6-foot-1, 170-pound point guard from Mountainside could…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve said it often enough that the Class of 2021 is deep in talent and Nate Mouzong Nate Mouzong 6'0" | CG Mountainside | 2021 State OR is an excellent example. The quick 6-foot-1, 170-pound point guard from Mountainside could be one of the biggest sleepers in the class. Mouzong is looking for big summer and fall playing club basketball with International Elite with the hopes that college coaches will see his potential at the next level.
This past season, Mouzong was part of a deep Mountainside squad that reached the Sweet Sixteen in the 6A playoffs. “This past year was pretty big for us, second year as a program,” Mouzong said. “We had high expectations but we were somewhat satisfied with the growth and where we ended the season. We didn’t have all the chemistry as we had a couple of new transfers in the starting five but we were able to do something there.”
“Individually I wasn’t where I wanted to be but I had some injuries,” Mouzong continued. “I had a back injury and last year I had a broken wrist so my shot wasn’t as good as it could have been.”
Despite being hampered by the wrist and missing five games, Mouzong still averaged 4.3 points and a team-high 3.1 assists as a part of the Mustangs 10-man playing rotation. A fast point guard who can really push the ball up the floor, get to the basket and finish, and has a natural knack for passing and finding the open man, Mouzong only hit three threes last year and would like to improve upon that.
“For sure shooting – that’s the number one thing,” Mouzong said. “I have a lot of the other things down, so I’m working on shooting and scoring and being a leader.”
Because of the numerous factors mentioned – injuries, playing on a deep squad at a relatively new school, etc. – Mouzong has largely remained hidden on the recruiting radar. He does note that Northwest Nazarene has been in contact but he’s keeping all of his options open.
“I haven’t singled out any programs so far so I’m just looking for a place that I can play for sure,” Mouzong said. “Some coaches have talked about being on a higher level team but not playing or being on a lower level team and having playing time, and I’d rather have the playing time.”
Also a great track athlete, Mouzong notes that he’s pursuing basketball at the next level and anything track-related would be more of a “Plan B”. He’s excited about what lies ahead with his time with International Elite, of which simply practicing with his teammates he’s found beneficial.
“This is a really good opportunity for me to see where I am amongst better players and taller players,” Mouzong said. “We have a pretty good team and what I like a lot about our team is we have two 6-10 players, an athletic 6-6 – that’s a lot of what there is in college. You can’t just go up for an easy layup or you’ll get it pinned off the glass with two hands.”
Mouzong currently ranks as the #78 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2021 rankings.