"Versatility, Guard Skills and Two-Way Force"

Yazan Aldawi

@YazanOnTheGrind

6'10, Class of 2027

Cats Academy, MA

Yazan Aldawi brings a combination of size and guard skills. Yazan describes himself as an all-around, positionless weapon, and his game backs up that confidence with the ability to handle pressure, bring the ball up the floor, create his own offense, find teammates, stretch the defense with his jumper, and attack the rim. His length becomes another problem on the other end, where he can switch between multiple positions, protect the rim, and clean the boards. Instead of allowing his height to define where he belongs on the floor, Yazan has worked to make versatility the heartbeat of his game, giving him the freedom to impact possessions from virtually anywhere.

Last season became a major step forward as Yazan dominated in Georgia while averaging a double-double and establishing himself among the state's strongest rebounders and rim protectors. He ranked second in Georgia in blocks and fourth in rebounding, showing that his production went far beyond putting points on the scoreboard. That season also brought his first DI offer, giving Yazan an important milestone after years of work developing a game that doesn't fit neatly into one position. Every accomplishment added another piece to a breakout year that showed just how far his game had come while leaving plenty of room for what he believes is still ahead.

His international opportunity added another layer when Yazan competed in the U18 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and averaged 16.6 points, 7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. He finished among the event's top three scorers while ranking second as a three-point shooter, an impressive combination for a player with his size. Facing international competition gave him a different test and showed that his ability to shoot, create, and produce could travel beyond the environment he had grown accustomed to playing in. More importantly, it strengthened his belief that the unusual collection of weapons he's spent years developing can hold up against talented competition from different basketball backgrounds.

Much of Yazan's biggest improvement has come through detailed work with his trainer, where the emphasis has been on expanding what he can comfortably do with the basketball rather than limiting him because of his size. His handles have become tighter, his confidence as a shooter has grown, and creating offense has become increasingly natural. Those improvements allow him to grab a rebound and initiate action himself instead of immediately searching for a guard, while his ability to make plays off the bounce creates difficult decisions for bigger defenders who are uncomfortable away from the basket. The work has been about turning uncommon flashes into skills he can consistently trust when the game gets faster and more physical.

Yazan takes just as much pride in affecting games without scoring, and his defensive production provides strong evidence of that mentality. His reach lets him challenge shots around the basket, but rebounding takes more than being tall, and his numbers show a willingness to pursue the ball and finish possessions. That two-way presence gives him several ways to remain involved when his jumper isn't falling because he can create an extra possession, erase an attempt at the rim, or make a defensive play that changes momentum. He wants coaches to know his impact is never tied solely to how many points appear beside his name.

Adversity has come through adjusting to stronger levels of competition while repeatedly having to show that his game could translate as the challenges increased. Instead of allowing difficult stretches or outside questions to shake his confidence, Yazan learned to remain consistent and trust the work being done away from the spotlight. Each new environment demanded another adjustment, and those experiences taught him that improvement eventually becomes visible when preparation remains steady. His response has been to keep working rather than become consumed with proving something through words, allowing his performance to carry that message instead.

That performance has started attracting increased recruiting attention, including interest from Power Four programs, and Yazan sees the recognition as confirmation that his development is being noticed. The name attached to a conference isn't enough by itself, however, because he wants a program that believes in what he brings and has a plan for continuing his growth. He is looking for an environment that will challenge him, develop his strengths, and give him an opportunity to compete while continuing to stretch the boundaries of what he can do at his size. Finding the right basketball fit matters more to him than chasing attention simply because it comes from a recognizable logo.

Behind everything people see on game day is an offseason filled with skill sessions, lifting, shooting, conditioning, and film study. Yazan continues attacking his ball-handling, perimeter shot, passing reads, and strength because he wants his complete bag to become a matchup nightmare. The motivation behind those hours is because he knows there is still plenty left to prove and much more he wants to accomplish. That fire keeps him working when nobody is watching and pushes him toward becoming more polished rather than becoming satisfied with the attention his recent rise has created.

Coaches can expect Yazan to bring energy, compete on both ends, and find whatever avenue is available to help his team win. One night that could mean carrying more of the scoring load, while another could require creating good looks for teammates, controlling the boards, or using his length defensively. His goals this season are focused on winning, continuing his rapid development, and producing at a high level while showing greater command of everything he has added to his arsenal. Yazan already has an unusual mix of size and skill, but his determination to keep sharpening that combination could make this season another major jump in a journey that has already gained serious momentum.

Yazan's greatest weapon is the freedom his size and perimeter ability give him across the floor. He can initiate offense, punish space from deep, put the ball down against slower matchups, and use his vision when extra defenders come, creating possibilities that are difficult to find in someone with his dimensions. His shot-blocking instincts and work on the glass provide genuine value at the other end, making his presence much broader than an oversized offensive creator. Continued strength development and tighter control against aggressive pressure can make that combination a real problem because opponents must account for far more than height when preparing for him.

There is real excitement in how many different directions Yazan can influence a possession without being locked into a traditional role. His growing comfort with the basketball opens creative possibilities offensively, while his defensive reach gives him the flexibility to alter actions away from his original assignment. The international production showed his tools can remain effective when the competition and environment change, and the recruiting attention reflects how noticeable that progress has become. Yazan still has important development ahead, but the mixture of three-point touch, creation, rebounding, rim protection, and playmaking packed into a big body gives him a rare foundation with plenty of room to become even more dangerous. Stay tuned.