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SoCalHoops High School News

Gilbert Arenas: Daily News & LA Times
Player Of The Week--(Jan. 26, 1999)

In case you missed it, let us give you a recap of the perforamance of Gilbert Arenas (6'-4" Sr. SG) this season: He's scored 40 or more points in seven games this season, and he's currently averaging 36.3 points per game and 7.5 rebounds. Last year he was known primarily as a three pint shooter, but this year, he's become a prodigious two point scorer inside and from in and around the paint off the driving slashing layup.

Last week, Gilbert had two pretty amazing performances. Against Poly, Gilbert had 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. Against Reseda, he scored 47 points, grabbed 10 boards and had 10 steals. That's 89 points in two consecutive games, very impressive indeed for the guard from Grant High in Van Nuys who has signed to play with Arizona next season.

This morning, Gilbert was named the Los Angeles Times' and the Daily News Boys' Athlete of the Week (in case you're interested, there was also agreement on the Girls' Athlete of the Week in both papers--it was Jenielee Greslie (5'-10" Sr. C) from Village Christian High, who is averaging 28 ppg and 12.3 rbpg. . . but that's a different story).

Gilbert is playing about as well now as we've ever seen him play, driving, slashing, using his lightening quick speed and truly explosive first step combined with unbelievable body control to virtually dominate games. Oh, and the latest little fact about Gil's game: He's taken to wearing adidas running shoes (instead of basketball shoes) during the games. We asked his dad, Gilbert, Sr., about the shoes and he laughed and said, "They're lighter than basketball shoes, and he really likes them. Makes him think he can jump farther and run faster." Who knows, it could start a whole new trend.

Congratulations to Gilbert from all of us at SoCalHoops.