Espinosa ready to roll this spring
The spring always provides college coaches with new faces and new names and one such player that could emerge as a player to watch is Eladio Espinosa.
The 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward from Victory Christian in Charlotte, N.C. was the biggest surprise to emerge from last weekend's NACA tournament. The class of 2008 prospect had his motor running all game long and pushed the red line on both ends of the floor.
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"I think I've done average this year but I've done good out here," Espinosa said after his 18 point, 12 rebound game against God's Academy. "But I've been able to pick it up at the end of the year."
Espinosa used his quick springs to grab tough rebounds and showed off a keen ability to score over bigger players, including 15 points (7-10 FG) against 7-footer Catalin Baciu in the championship game. Espinosa has a solid post game and doesn't necessarily rely on his athleticism to make plays.
"I'd tell someone that hasn't seen me that I'm athletic and that I can shoot but my weakness is my weakness. That's going to change," he said. "This summer they are moving me out to the wing so I can work on that."
Espinosa said he will play with a new AAU organization, North Carolina Cobras, and looking forward to playing in front of more eyes in the spring.
"I'm thanking God for the opportunity to play in front of all of these people," Espinosa said.
Recruiting is in its infant stages as Clemson and Kentucky have shown interest "but I know they are only questionnaires," he said.
And he said he is unaware if colleges have sent coaches out to see him play this season.
"If they did, I haven't recognized them," Espinosa said.
Odds are, they will make it a point to see him soon.