Angel "Pee Wee" Garcia, a Toa Baja native may suit up for the University of Memphis Tigers as soon as January. IPRB confirmed earlier today that Garcia has been living in the weight room and rehabbing 24/7. "“The knee is coming great. There’s nothing bad I can say about my knee. It doesn’t hurt. It only swells sometimes when I sleep, that’s about it,” said Garcia, in a recent interview with the TigerSportsReport.com. Garcia was a top recruit out of Chicago but ended up dealing with major delays at the NCAA Clearinghouse. They took almost 6 months to clear him. He has had issues with injuries in the past but has been on the NBA radar since he was a senior in high school. Said an NBA scout who spoke to IPRB this week, "Garcia has all the tools to be a lottery pick but the injuries are preventing him from showing his talents. He's 6'11, can knock down the three, has a high basketball IQ and truly loves the game. He has the ability to put up big numbers and from all the reports out of Memphis his is doing all the right things. Now he must show people he can put it all together for an entire season."
Garcia should be on a short list if he is healthy to play this summer at the FIBA 2010 World Championships. He, Mike Rosario and Deny Clemente are probably the only 'young guns" ready to play at that level. Obviously, Garcia has the talent and if he keeps working out he may just be what the National Team needs to medal. A young, athletic big, who can stretch the defense and knock down threes. Said an FBPUR insider, "He is better at this stage than Ricky Sanchez and the difference is Garcia doesn't mind mixing it up in the paint."
