Timiya Guevara commits to Arkansas at Pine Bluff
An electric player and a valuable prospect, Timiya Guevara Timiya Guevara 5'4" | PG Denver South | 2021 State CO always knew her 5-foot-3 stature would be a factor she’d have to overcome when it came time to capture an opportunity to play at the next level.
Because of her height and despite her eye-popping stats, highlight clips and physical abilities, Guevara’s recruitment was slower than her taller counterparts and at times felt like an uphill battle. But all it takes is one offer to make a dream come true.
Guevara continued to grind and earned exactly that.
On Sunday, the Denver South point guard committed to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, accomplishing her lifelong goal of playing Division-I basketball.
“Other schools looked at my height and everything else but they (UAPB) liked me for me,” Guevara said. “They made me feel comfortable and I think it’s going to be a great experience for me. My height was a big issue in my recruiting process but they were really welcoming and made me feel like family already, and I can tell they treat their players with respect. I think it’s going to be a great fit for me.”
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Guevara, who is currently No. 12 in the Prep Girls Hoops Colorado Class of 2021 player rankings, said she was communicating with several schools but the only other offer she had was from Metropolitan State University at home in Denver. Set to enter her senior season with 1,420 career points after leading a young Rebels squad to a 19-5 record and a Denver Prep League title in 2019-20, Guevara has established herself as one of Colorado’s premier scorers (third) with 22 points per game. She also averaged 6.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 steals as a junior.
Guevara’s coaches – high school coach Wayne McDonald and club (Hawks) coach Keithan Lyons – always believed she had what it takes to play at the Division-I level. UAPB offered a full scholarship in mid-June and considering all the unusual and unpredictable circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Guevara felt good about committing early.
“We’re so excited for her,” McDonald said. “We knew if we just stayed on the grind and kept pushing her name out there that someone would bite. That’s a kid who, as a coach, you want to see get the opportunity because she has all the intangibles. She’s going to be able to bring a different element to that level and they’ll be happy they picked her up.”
Now that she has officially committed, Guevara can return her focus to leading a Rebels squad that has immense potential when Colorado’s girls basketball season starts in January.
“I’m excited for it,” Guevara said. “I really miss it and I’m looking forward to this season, winning a bunch of games and going out with a bang my senior year. I’m really happy with the team I have and the freshmen who will be sophomores this year and the incoming freshmen. We’re going to be a strong team and it will be a real good season.”
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