2015 Guard Max Hazzard eyeing Cal
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(Max Hazzard #31)
If the name sounds familiar, it might be because family patriarch Walt Hazzard starred for UCLA in the 1960's. Or maybe it's because Yakub Hazzard played briefly at Stanford. Then again, it's possible you remember Rasheed balling for George Washington in the late 90's.
Suffice it to say, the basketball pedigree is strong with the Hazzard clan.
But the family member with perhaps the most potential of reaching grandfather Walt's achievements may be up-and-comer Max Hazzard.
Still only a sophomore, the youngest Hazzard has been logging considerable minutes for Los Angeles basketball power, Loyola, since he arrived on campus 18 months ago. At that time, however, it was brother Jacob Hazzard starring for the Cubs.
But with the latter since departing for the University of Arizona as a preferred walk-on, Max is running the point full time.
"The first schools I heard from were UC Irvine and Cal Poly," the 5-11 Max told GoldenBearReport while at Fairfax High last Saturday to play in the State Preview Classic. "Lately though, it's been a lot of Pac-12 schools."
And while California has yet to extend a scholarship, an offer is reportedly imminent.
"If Cal offered, they'd pretty much be at the top of my list," said Max. "It's pretty much my dream school."
A student at one of the state's toughest academic high schools, Hazzard - a literature and poetry devotee - is attracted to Berkeley's combination of "education and athletics."
Toss in the fact that fellow Cub and 2014 big man Thomas Welsh is considering Berkeley, and Max is more than a little intrigued by the prospect of taking his talents north.
"That would be so awesome if Thomas and I played together," remarked Hazzard.
Basketball royalty feeding a bona fide 7-footer down low? That sounds "awesome" to the folks in the Bay Area, too.