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After a dominant prep career at Hart High School where he led his team to a 51-6 record over the past two seasons, Lew Stallworth is finally home at UTEP.
The CIF Foothill Player of the Year for the 2013-14 season brings a winning attitude, an athletic gifted specimen of a skill set, and passion to make El Paso, and UTEP fans abroad proud of what is to come in the next four years.
Stallworth On Being in El Paso:
"Its different, I'm from the city its more of a desert type, but it has a great environment here that makes me feel like I'm at home, I really enjoy being in El Paso and I love this city."
Describing his game as having the love to play defense, Stallworth averaged 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while leading his team to 10-0 mark in league play (Foothill) during his senior year.
Stallworth credits his recruiting exposure and mentor ship from being part of Kenny Smith's Aim High AAU travel team where he got the chance to work out with some NBA players, and received some one-on-one advice from Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups.
Used mostly as a shooting guard at Hart, Stallworth was recruited to be a point guard, and notes his unselfishness, and ability to distribute the rock around as his best on floor assets.
A two-star by most of the major recruiting sites, Seton Hall offered in June of 2013, and an ESPN scout had this to say about Lew.
"Stallworth is a physical specimen who is also an explosive athlete. He affects the game in multiple ways due to his speed, strength, and bounce. Offensively, he has a scorer's mentality and loves to penetrate the defense with the dribble. He has the strength to elevate in the paint."
His crossover is flat out cold and quick, he is very explosive on every power move he makes, and has a high, quick release on his jumper. As of now his arms are on the thin side, but before it's said and done, Stallworth will have a solid, cut and thick frame with the quickness and athleticism needed for production in the Miner backcourt.
Stallworth On Coach Floyd:
"Coach Floyd has a great track record of bringing in good point guards like Tim Hardaway, I really loved how he worked with NBA players"
With added basketball IQ, Lew could be force on drives to the hoop as I could really see him making his living at the free throw line as his athletic skill set translates to a tough paint driver who can withstand contact. Though we could all be calling him "Lew the Glue" because he has the feet, and athletic ability to lock-down on defense and become a weapon in the Miners defensive schemes.
The well-spoken youngin from Cali is already a fan favorite on Twitter, and the passion, and love for UTEP stands out more in person than in his 140 characters.