"Relentless Drive and Rim Pressure: A Rising Guard with Maxey-Like Energy"

Zae Coffie

(Socials: @ZaeCoffie)

5’11, 125lbs, Class of 2028

Loy Norrix HS, MI

Zae is an explosive young guard with a fearless motor and contagious energy on both ends of the floor. With shades of Tyrese Maxey in his game, Zae brings that same electric blow-by speed when attacking the rim, coupled with a fiery defensive swagger and vocal leadership. He thrives on putting pressure on defenders, exploding past them with dynamic quickness, and finishing with confidence. What separates him is how hard he crashes the glass for his size and how relentless he is in transition. He’s already got the tools to break games open, and when the lights are on, he feeds off the energy of the crowd and brings a fire that can shift momentum in an instant.

This past season, Zae averaged 12.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game, impressive numbers for a rising prospect in his class. His biggest improvement was his ball-handling and understanding of the point guard role. Coming into high school, he wasn’t yet comfortable as a lead guard, but through reps against older competition and guidance from his coaches, he’s started to master floor control and pace. His offseason focus is locked in on improving his ball security, vision, and court awareness, becoming not just a scorer, but a high-level floor leader.

He’s currently playing for United Pursuit on the AAU circuit, where his goal is to prove himself and earn the respect of coaches, players, and scouts alike. His eyes are locked on the Philadelphia tournament coming up July 11th, a huge chance to showcase all he’s been working on. Heading into next season, Zae’s determined to help Loy Norrix knock off their biggest rivals and make a push to the state championship. Nothing fuels him like silencing a hostile crowd or hitting big shots in rivalry games, and he always plays with composure and confidence, no matter the moment. Off the court, he enjoys time with family and friends, staying grounded in what matters most. The best coaching advice he’s received comes from Coach KD Bell, saying, “Keep going even when nobody is there to watch you.”

I assess that Zae’s fearless mindset and ability to control the tempo of a game make him a developing floor general with strong potential as a special talent. His mix of rim pressure, rebounding, and defensive energy brings a multi-dimensional presence that college programs will love as he continues to grow physically and mentally.

Zae is just scratching the surface of what he can become. As his jumper continues to develop and he becomes more fluid in managing pace and decision-making, he has the potential to evolve into a dominant guard in his class. Expect him to be one of the more exciting young guards to watch in the coming seasons, explosive, passionate, and ready to rise. Stay tuned.