Carlos Mendez grew up playing basketball on the streets of Camden, where he learned to shoot, pass and dribble. But it wasn’t until entering Gloucester Catholic High School that Mendez really learned how to play.
“I grew up in Camden and was raised there my whole life,” said Mendez, a Gloucester Catholic senior. “It’s mainly where I got basketball from. My dad was always a big basketball guy, and Kobe Bryant was my favorite player. I loved the Lakers. But coming in as a freshman … I was a young guy who had skills, but they weren’t polished. I feel like last year and this year I was able to put it all together.”
It came with some outside help. Before coach Brandon Dougherty began his teachings, Mendez felt a desire to learn more about the game. So he turned to YouTube.
“UConn was always my favorite college team, and the first thing I saw was their coach talking about defense and when to take a charge,” Mendez said. “It was my favorite video. When I talk to my younger brothers and they see me falling on the floor, I tell them to watch the video. It’s basketball how it’s meant to be played. You put some risk on your body, but it could be a game-changing play.”
Over the last four years, Mendez has become one of the smartest and most physical players in South Jersey. He was named one of the team captains as a sophomore and has continued to sharpen his skills and knowledge of the game while becoming a mentor to younger players.
It’s a coach’s dream.
“When he came in as a freshman, he was already talented,” Dougherty said. “The game was easy for him right away but he was a little lackadaisical or he’d make a move to the lane and get stripped. He really grew as a freshman. He played JV for me when I was the JV coach, but we knew he was going to be the point guard the next three years. Now he’s our best defender. Even in a game he’s not playing, you can hear him from the bench. But not having him on the floor is tough to overcome.”
That became a reality for the Rams this season when Mendez suffered a grade 1 separated shoulder. It’s an injury that held Mendez out of action for a few weeks, but the dedicated senior still punched the clock and helped out in practices. Most of all, his toughness was certainly noticed.
“Coming into sophomore year, he became a leader on the team and embraced the physical aspect,” Dougherty said. “He keeps taking those freshmen under his wing. Carlos has been our extra assistant coach.”
They’re even better with him on the court. Gloucester Catholic won its first two games before Mendez was injured against Cherokee on Dec. 21. The Rams lost that game and the next four that followed. Mendez returned Jan. 3 and sparked a three-game winning streak to get them back to .500. He averages about 15 points a game in addition to all the intangibles he brings to the table.
“It’s always what I found fun in basketball,” Mendez said. “Shooting 3’s and layups are cool, but I always liked rebounding and assists and falling on the floor or stopping the other team’s best player. It’s smart basketball.”
Mendez played wide receiver and cornerback for Gloucester Catholic’s football team, and he plans to study criminal justice after he graduates high school with hopes of continuing his basketball career.
“My stepsister is a police officer, and I think I have the characteristics of being a good police officer,” Mendez said. “I feel like I can help a community out.”
He’s already helped a basketball program a great deal.
“It’s a great program,” Mendez said. “Growing up from a freshman to a senior, I’ve seen how we’ve changed the way we play. Especially with ‘Doc’ being with us the last few years; he’s really led me and taught me the X’s and O’s and what he expects from me as a player. I think our program has gotten a lot better with bringing kids in and expecting them to play in big games. Now, it’s my senior year; we’re getting better [just] as I’m going out, but it’s a good thing to see.”
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