One of the best glue guys in his class, Elijah Paez Elijah Paez 6'6" | SF/SG Dynamic Prep | 2027 TX consistently made the right play early, often shifting the defense and setting everything into motion with his spacing, timing, and quick decision making as a passer. High-level perimeter defensive potential, standing out through his constant motor, active hands, and proactive approach, keeping his hands above the ball at all times, disrupting possessions consistently. Paez produced countless deflections, blocks, tips, and steals both on the ball and in the passing lanes, proving to be a relentless defensive presence who impacted winning without needing high usage offensively.

Paez has quietly become one of the most effective perimeter defenders in the EYBL, averaging 1.8 steals per game. He competes on every possession, fights through screens, and consistently disrupts offensive rhythm. His defensive motor separates him from many guards in the region.

✅ Defensive intensity
✅ On-ball pressure
✅ High motor competitor

Elijah Paez Elijah Paez 6'6" | SF/SG Dynamic Prep | 2027 TX made big plays for Drive Nation by just knocking down shots. He is a strong shooter who hits shots with ease. He is a simple player and moves to open spaces on the court to get his shots. He can affect a game with minimal dribbles because of his ability to knock down shots. He has a clear understanding of floor spacing and moves well without the ball to create opportunities for himself and others. His 19 points vs. JL3 were instrumental in the big win.

Elijah Paez brings excellent positional size to the guard spot, paired with a polished and balanced offensive game. He’s a true three-level scorer who can space the floor, create in the mid-range, and finish effectively at the rim. Paez plays with control and shows a mature feel, rarely forcing action and consistently making the right read. His athleticism complements his skill set, allowing him to separate and finish through contact. With his steady rise, he’s quickly positioning himself among the top guards in the 2027 class.

✅ Three-level scoring ability
✅ Positional size and balance
✅ Controlled offensive decision-making

Elijah Paez showed that he is a formidable perimeter shooter, showcased his prowess by sinking a pair of three-pointers against Dallas Carter High School. His height proved advantageous in this game, allowing him to effortlessly shoot over numerous defenders within close range. Elijah’s snatch dribble is a key weapon, enabling him to create separation from defenders and transition into his pull-up jumper. Additionally, his defensive anticipation on the perimeter and inside the paint resulted in forced turnovers, further solidifying his defensive capabilities. 

Elijah Paez didn’t go down without a fight, bringing intensity through effort, impact, and pure passion. Moved well off the ball, understanding spacing by drifting to the corner or spotting up along the wings. Paez showed off a strong step-back that created separation for mid-range jumpers. Defensively, he made a strong impact in the passing lanes, denying the ball, jumping passes, and contesting shots in and out of his area without fouling or gambling.

Elijah Paez made the game look easy due to his high basketball IQ, elite instincts, feel for the game, and advanced court awareness. He played with a sharp understanding of spacing and gaps, cutting at the most opportune times for easy layups. Defensively he showed real discipline, using his length and active hands to constantly make his presence felt. Paez flowed off pindowns and staggers ready to play-make, drawing attention as if he was going to score, only to set up teammates for kick-outs. His strong competitive motor is something that will translate immediately to the next level as he dove for loose balls, guarded the ball with toughness, and dug in to shrink space with perfect timing. His knack for changing the game showed up when it mattered most in the fourth quarter, where his defense and rebounding were huge, capped off by his one-handed putback dunk that sealed the game versus Aledo. Everything Elijah Paez did was conducive to winning, always looking to make the right basketball play.