PSJA Southwest’s Salazar to play at college level

PHARR — There was a sense of family in the gym here at PSJA Southwest High School as fellow members of the school gathered for one of their own members.

Justin Salazar, who played on the varsity basketball squad for the Javelinas, penned his letter of intent to play collegiate basketball at Waldorf University — which is a school out in Iowa.

“This means the world,” Salazar said. “... I want to say thank you and teammates, for the past four years, you guys, you know, been there for me no matter what.”

It was a sentimental night for the young star as Salazar was accompanied by not only Head Coach Aaron Whitelaw, but as well as his mother and grandmother.

With words of encouragement and tales of Salazar staying up to play basketball to perfect his game, the Southwest Javelina penned his name on the letter to play at the NAIA school.

What’s unique about Salazar is that PSJA Southwest was easy to write off the blip in RGV basketball as their record may not have been “up there” with other squads.

However, if one goes to a Javelinas’ game, there’s a bunch of heart that not a lot of other teams can replicate.

For Salazar’s case, he was the senior leader on a somewhat young PSJA Southwest squad. More impressively, he averaged about 21.4 points a game and had many nods from other local outlets for his season performance.

“... I promise, I won’t let you down,” Salazar said.