For Wesley Waddles ’25, basketball has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. Now, his dedication has earned him a prestigious honor, as he recently ranked #31 in the Class of 2025 for all of Southern California by Prep Hoops.
"I started playing when I was around three and joined my first team when I was about seven or eight years old," said Waddles. “Hearing this news made me feel like all my hard work was paying off and reassured me that I deserve to be where I am.”
Since transferring to Viewpoint in his Junior year, Waddles has seen immense growth in his game, crediting the guidance from his coaches and encouragement from his teammates as major contributors to his success on the court.
“Coach JJ and the other assistant coaches have been instrumental in building my confidence and helping me understand the player I can be,” he shared.
Acknowledging that his success is built on a foundation of hard work and discipline, both on and off the court, Waddles added:
“You have to work on your body, get stronger, and practice basic skills at least four times a week if you want to excel.”
For him, that means touching a basketball every day, maintaining his physical fitness, and putting in the hours to sharpen his skills.
“It’s the daily work and repetition that really make a difference,” Waddles explained.
Looking ahead, Waddles dreams of playing Division I college basketball. For young athletes aspiring to reach similar heights, Waddles believes in a mantra many of us have heard at some point: “Fake it till you make it.”
“Confidence is everything. Don’t let others’ perceptions influence how you see yourself,” he shared. “If you believe you’re a good player, you’ll play like one. Confidence is just as important as physical skills.”
Congratulations to Wesley Waddles ’25 on this athletic achievement!