Izela Arenas, the all-time great player for Louisville women’s basketball, made an incredible announcement about her life and…
The NBA players that millennials grew up watching are now passing on the tradition to their offspring. Not just their sons, either.
Some fit into the same category as the late Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant, who rose to prominence as the face of the “#GirlDad” movement thanks to his late daughter Gigi Bryant. For fans watching Sierra Canyon (California) girls basketball games, Gilbert Arenas and Zach Randolph were not just NBA stars; they were also the fathers of the team’s two best players, Mackenly Randolph and Izela Arenas.
While Mackenly Randolph, a five-star forward, and Izela Arenas, a four-star guard, are teammates at Sierra Canyon High School and the daughters of former NBA players, they bring different dynamics to Louisville’s women’s basketball team this season.
Four-star guard Izela Arenas (left) and five-star forward Mackenly Randolph, who were teammates at Sierra Canyon High School and the daughters of former NBA players, have a lot in common, but they also bring different styles to Louisville’s women’s basketball team this year.
Mackenly and Izela assisted Sierra Canyon in winning district, state, and national titles while they were high school athletes. As a senior, Izela averaged 16.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.6 steals per game for the Trailblazers.
Mackenly scored 19.0 points, grabbed 11.7 rebounds, dished out 4.0 assists, and stole 2.4 steals while playing for Bryant’s Mamba Academy. In her last prep game, she finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds, but Sierra Canyon lost 31-3 to eventual state champion Etiwanda in the regional finals.
Izela and Mackenly will continue to be Louisville teammates.bear the heritage of their fathers. Despite having comparable backgrounds, they contribute different dynamics to Jeff Walz’s Cardinals.
Izela, a natural scorer, was the first of two players to commit to Louisville; her father’s YouTube channel, “Gil’s Arena,” revealed the news. Izela is more intense and reserved when she is on the court. The four-star shooting guard has known Sierra Canyon girls basketball coach Alicia Komaki since the latter’s seventh-grade year.
Izela Arenas (22) of Sierra Canyon dribbles the ball during the 901 Tournament of Champions match on Friday, December 22, 2023, at Bartlett High School between Sierra Canyon School and Bartlett High School.
Izela Arenas (22) of Sierra Canyon dribbles the ball during the Bartlett High School versus Sierra Canyon game.
on Friday, December 22, 2023, at Bartlett High School in the 901 Tournament of Champions.
Komaki remarked, “She is one of the most unusual kids I have ever met.” It is important to see this development at this stage of a young lady’s life, which is one of the reasons I coach at this level. Just knowing where she is come from, how different she is, and how much she is grown up and matured
Similar to Gilbert, who in 12 NBA seasons averaged 20.7 points and shot 35.1% from three-point range, Izela is a productive scorer. Izela set the record for most 3-pointers made in a girls basketball game at Sierra Canyon, ranking 88th in the espnW HoopGurlz Class of 2024 Top 100. She was crowned Queen of the Court.
during the Overtime Elite Takeover in 2023. She won the game by making four 3-pointers in a row from the top of the key.
Izela’s ability to score will be appreciated because Sydney Taylor and Kiki Jefferson, two of U of L’s top scorers, are leaving.
Komaki described her as “just a flat-out scorer.” She uses a range of techniques to score at three different levels. Simply observing her develop and elevate her game has been enjoyable. It seems like she added something new to her bag every year.
Mackenly always has a smile on her face, even though Izela is more serious when she plays. Although the five-star forward enjoys herself while playing, her skill set is far from frivolous. In the espnW HoopGurlz Top 100, ranked 23rd As the top scorer and rebounder in the program, Mackenly departs Sierra Canyon. Along with her father, she is the second McDonald’s All-American for the Trailblazers. Zach’s alma mater, Michigan State, was among Mackenly’s top three schools, but she will leave her own mark at Louisville.
“Mac exhibits an unwavering commitment to quality,” a statement from Walz read. She has a championship mentality and is an amazing leader both on and off the court. Her infectious enthusiasm and adaptability will be highlighted in our system. She will go for a rebound if you need one. If you need a bucket, she can make points. Her hustle, toughness, and determination will win the hearts of the Cardinal faithful. She truly is the winner.
