"Relentless Grit and Floor General Firepower: The Underdog Who Never Backs Down"

Elijah Ives

@ElijahIves10

IG: @elijahives10

6'0, 185lbs, Class of 2026

Point Beach HS, NJ

Elijah is the kind of guard who refuses to be overlooked, strong, gritty, and relentless on both ends. A do-it-all hustle machine with a high IQ and a nonstop motor, he thrives pushing tempo, attacking the paint, and hounding ball handlers on defense. Whether it’s crashing the glass, diving for loose balls, or knocking down timely shots, Elijah fills the stat sheet and does the dirty work most guards avoid. He’s a rebounding guard with a physical build and the mindset of a dawg, quick to make things happen and never afraid to set the tone. A crafty shotmaker from deep, he’s grown into a confident perimeter threat while continuing to develop his mid-range arsenal and finishing through contact. Coaches can expect effort, energy, and edge every single possession.

He averaged 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game during his junior season, with his biggest improvement coming from beyond the arc. His outside shooting took a major step forward, including a 19-point explosion with 15 of those coming in the first half, knocking down 4 of 5 from three. Elijah's ability to stay locked in was never more evident than during the state playoffs, where he hit a clutch four-point play to help Point Beach advance in the quarterfinals. Off the court, he's a scholar-athlete enrolled in AP and dual credit college courses. On the court, he's hungry for more. This offseason, he’s focused on improving his footwork, playing off two feet in traffic, and tightening up his finishing and mid-range game.

Elijah’s game made waves internationally, too, earning a gold medal with Team USA U18 (PhD Hoops) during their run in Spain. Now playing for the NJ Raptors this AAU season, he’s attacking the circuit with purpose, ready to showcase his game at Spooky Nook’s AGAME Nationals and other top events. He’s already earned offers from UIC and Bucks County CC, and has also drawn interest from the USCAA D1 and JUCO levels. But he’s not satisfied. He’s out to prove he belongs on a bigger stage, letting his play speak louder than any hype ever could.

His motivation is doubt. Elijah doesn’t respond with trash talk but just plays harder. He blocks out noise, locks in, and lets results settle everything. The best coaching advice he ever received is, "Don’t let anyone dictate your pace. Trust your training, read the floor, and take what they give you."

I assess that Elijah brings toughness, versatility, and a college-ready frame to any program looking for a hard-nosed guard who can rebound, defend, and stretch the floor. He’s a reliable shotmaker, a physical perimeter defender, and a leader by example, traits that instantly raise the intensity of any lineup.

Expect Elijah to make serious noise in his senior year and throughout the AAU circuit. As he adds more weapons to his offensive game and continues to thrive in high-level environments, his recruitment should pick up steam. He’s proven he can compete, lead, and produce. Stay tuned for the breakout season ahead.