Pena putting in the work

Everything about Dago Pena is fast. He plays fast. He talks fast. His recruitment is heating up fast. College coaches are trying to lock him down fast.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing from Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Fla., is improving ever so fast, too. Pena was impressive at the Tournament of Champions last weekend in North Carolina.

"In North Carolina, I did better. I was working on my basketball skills, my move, my shot. I think I did pretty well. I think it was my best tournament so far," Pena said. "I was getting my rebounds, my shot was better, I was working on my feet. I thought I played like I can play. I showed my teammates that I can play and I got them the ball. Everything worked well.

"I want to become a complete basketball player. I need to get stronger. I need to get my shot better. I want to get better in everything."

So far, he has. Pena has steadily improved from event to event this spring. He had his strong moments during the evaluation period and he has seen his recruitment skyrocket.

"It's getting busier," Pena said. "Different coaches are talking about their schools. There has been a lot in the last couple of months. I used to get letters and letters now there are more calling back and talking to my coach. I get a feeling that it is getting easier now to figure it out."

Pena has interest from all levels. Clemson, Iowa State, Kansas State, Miami, Ole Miss (offer), Penn State (offer), Pittsburgh, South Florida (offer), Xavier (offer), Florida Atlantic (offer) and Virginia Commonwealth (offer) are all involved.

"I'm working hard to July. I want to work really hard this June with my coach and then in July I can play very hard in Cincinnati and Las Vegas so I can earn my scholarships from the college coaches," he said. "I like Xavier and Kansas State. Those are good colleges. I don't know where I'm going but I want to see and wait until after July when I'll make my decision."

Matt Ramker, director of the Florida Rams program Pena plays for, says the three-star wing will make a decision after the busy evaluation period and into the fall.

"Dago is going to play July out, and play well, and then he'll know exactly who has offered him scholarships," Ramker said. "Then after the summer, he'll trim the list down and take visits in the fall and have the schools come in for the visits at his home. The decision won't happen until the fall and the list is wide open until after July."

Pena said he knows he will need to do the things that separates himself from the rest of the wing prospects in the country.

"I like to do the little things that nobody knows. I want to win the game. I like to win. I hate losing. I hate it. I know people like to make points but I want to do everything,; rebounds, steals, charge, defense, make the pass to the open guy," he said. "I want to do it all."