Growing up in Manhattan, Class of 2021 guard Noah Tovar has vast recollections of plying his trade on tough basketball proving grounds such as Rucker Park, The Cage on West Fourth Street, Dyckman Park, and other noteworthy outdoor courts.
Learning the intricacies of the game while playing for the Riverside Hawks, Tovar has brought that New York toughness to his game during a prep year at Miami Prep (FL).
Having grown physically and as an ambidextrous, crafty finisher with sneaky bounce, Tovar has rapidly transformed into a scholarship ready player. We spoke to the sharpshooting combination guard about his New York roots, goals moving forward, and expectations.
ZS: What is your focus for this gap year and how have you readied your game for the next level? In which ways have you improved?
NT: My focus for this year is building my body up staying in the best shape, getting stronger and ultimately fixing my mindset to be a dog, so at the next level I am seen as a bigger scrappier guard who is talented offensively as well as defensively. I have improved a lot in just being smarter and seeing the game better as a lead guard.
ZS: What are your fondest memories of the city game, growing up in Manhattan and being around the heavy basketball culture New York has to offer?
NT: My fondest memories of the city game growing up in Manhattan is playing in the park tournaments, the Rucker Park in particular was a great atmosphere and being in a heavy basketball state you have no choice but to get better. Because people are playing at every park around the city. Growing up in the city and playing for elite teams like the Riverside Hawks crafted me to being tough. On the court, it is kill or be killed.
ZS: Which areas of your game have improved since your time at Iona Prep and what type of player do you envision yourself being at the next level?
NT: The areas of my game that have improved since my days at Iona Prep are honestly everything. I became a guard who can score at all three levels with great vision and always looking to make the best play and get my teammates involved. The player I envision myself being at the next level is a tough guard who can run the offense, play defense, and compete with the best guards in the country while not backing down to anyone.
ZS: Who are some of the top tier players you’ve gone up against growing up and what do you take from some of the NYC guys who have come before you and apply it to your own game?
NT: Some of the top tier players I’ve gone up against are Vernon Carey, Scottie Barnes, and many other great talents. What I’ve taken from NYC guards before me and applied to my game is just that fearlessness and being so good at being able to manipulate the game with the ball in their hands.
