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McALLEN — Any time McAllen Memorial needed a bucket during the 2021-22 season, senior Arian Elizondo delivered.
The Mustangs’ guard proved to be one of the top offensive weapons in the Rio Grande Valley with a quick first step, a smooth shooting stroke from mid- and 3-point range and an ability to convert tough baskets in the paint while fighting through contact.
Elizondo’s offensive execution helped lead McAllen Memorial to winning a share of the District 31-5A title for the first time since 2016 and into the Region IV-5A quarterfinal round of the playoffs.
After lighting up scoreboards across South Texas, Elizondo is The Monitor’s 2021-22 All-Area Boys Basketball Offensive Player of the Year.
“I just play at my own pace. I can shoot it, I can drive it in — I feel like I can score from anywhere,” he said.
Elizondo helped the Mustangs post a 26-12 overall record while finishing 12-2 in District 31-5A play. He averaged 19.7 points on the year, four rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.9 assists per game.
A marksman from the outside, Elizondo entered shooting range the moment he stepped inside gyms. Once he started feeling it from beyond the arc, the Mustangs often left teams in the dust.
“After I make my first one, I’m going to keep shooting it. After that first shot goes down, I just find my rhythm,” he said. “It just gives me confidence when my coach trusts in me and I just play my game out there.”
“When he has the ball in his hands, he’s smooth, he can slither around guys and has a real good touch at the basket. If guys want to play off and he’s feeling it from outside, you’re in trouble,” Memorial head coach Rick Treviño said during the Mustangs’ playoff run.
During district play, Elizondo improved his scoring average by two points to 21.6. He also performed his best during Memorial’s biggest games.
He scored 33 points against crosstown rival McAllen Rowe, 27 in a win over fellow co-district 31-5A champion McAllen High and 29 during the Mustangs’ 74-61 win versus Laredo Martin during the area round of the playoffs.
“First, I’m looking to drive. If they stop me, I’m pulling up on them,” he said.
Elizondo holds offers to play college basketball, but he hasn’t made up his mind just yet.
“I couldn’t ask for a better senior year. Going out in Round 3 was tough, we could have made it to the fourth round, but to make it that far my senior year was awesome,” he said.
