Vieira chooses next step

 (photo courtesy of Los Altos Town Crier)

One of the most enjoyable aspects of following any level of basketball is witnessing the broadening of a player's skill set. Another year hopefully brings this and that added to the tools set, whether it be an NBA Most Valuable Player or a seventh grader just starting out.

Take Lebron James for instance.

He shot 29% from three-point range as a rookie versus 41% from the same distance this season and also wasn't anywhere near the defensive force then as he is now.

Applying this element on a local basis, 5-foot-9 point guard Nate Vieira certainly widened his arsenal this past season and, in doing so, advanced his effectiveness.

After three seasons of zoom-zoom-zoom on the court at Oak Grove High, Vieira displayed the ability to effectively run a set-up offense in the 2012-13 season under Los Altos High Coach Bob McFarlane.

His scoring average bumped up just a bit -- 12.6 in the recently closed go-around versus 12.0 as an Oak Grove junior -- but it was his display of floor leadership that grew immensely.

The El Camino League Most Valuable Player and Prep2Prep El Camino Player of the Year led the Eagles to a 1908 overall record, 12-0 in conference.

Here's McFarlane on Vieira: "We had conversations early in the season about what college coaches are looking for on the next level and that being a point guard means making everyone around you better..

He continued, "Nate is a pretty dynamic player and my hat is off to him. It was a clear transformation and he did it with maturity. It was critical for our team."

The highlight was topping the #1 team in the playoffs, 23-4 Westmoor High squad, 75-66. Even with a hamstring pull sidelining him for some of the fourth quarter, Vieira totaled 22 points and eight assists, often singlehandedly breaking  the press of the Rams.

Vieira is also a member of the West Valley Basketball Club and WVBC Coach Al Grisgsby noticed the additional savvy.

"Nate is real quick, fast with the ball and able to get to the hole against anyone. He can score anytime he wants to. But now it's not at one speed, he's learned pace, how to play under control. It says something that he took the time to understand the game better."

In fact when asked his current best basketball skills, Vieira said, "getting everyone involved in the game."

"I had the green light if I had an open three this season but it was me stepping out of the box and being focused on running the team and making sure everybody was doing their job. There was a real emphasis on team."

Additionally, Vieira has added to his specific skills set and continues to upgrade.

"Earlier, I would look to drive first and I had confidence in my 12-15-foot pullup. I didn't have confidence in my three-point shot but now I do."

He's still working on "my left hand, my floater and getting stronger. I can get by my defender but I'll now be facing bigger and stronger guys."

Vieira's next step will be joining Coach Jason Damjanovic's program at DeAnza College.

A primary reason for doing so -- "at DeAnza, it's a kind of in-the-middle tempo. It's not run-and-gun but it's also not running down the shot clock before shooting."

With the Dons, he'll be teaming up with former Oak Grove teammate and fellow backcourter, Donald Rodriguez, who is also joining the team.

Vieira is interested in business finance and sports management as major possibilities.