Fresh off mission, Cedar High basketball alum Japrix Weaver signs to play for USU-Eastern

Following an 18-month church mission, former Cedar High and Snow College standout Japrix Weaver has transferred to play basketball at USU-Eastern. Photo taken at a basketball camp in Price, Utah, June 6, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Japrix Weaver, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY – Basketball standout Japrix Weaver, who helped Cedar High School to back-to-back state titles in 2019 and 2020, recently signed to play for Utah State University-Eastern in Price.

Japrix Weaver (right) smiles with older sister Dream at Cedar Regional Airport shortly after returning from her 18-month church mission in Hawaii, Cedar City, Utah, March 22, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Weaver, a 5-foot-11 guard/forward who was a two-time region MVP in high school, played one year at Snow College before sustaining a knee injury late in the final game of the regular season, a 65-55 loss at USU-Eastern on March 27, 2021.

After undergoing surgery on her knee, Weaver then served an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Laie, Hawaii, returning home to Cedar City in March.

Almost immediately upon her return, Weaver began entertaining offers from multiple Division I and II schools and junior colleges.

“I went on a few visits. I really enjoyed all of them, honestly,” Weaver told Cedar City News via phone on Tuesday. “But something about USU-Eastern just felt right. It felt like it’s where I wanted to be.

Japrix Weaver competes for Snow College vs. Western Wyoming, Ephraim, Utah, Feb. 2, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Jennifer Weaver, St. George News / Cedar City News

“It was definitely hard to say no to some of the other schools. But I knew I wanted a school that just had a good overall environment. Somewhere I could be myself, that holds my same values, and then just really get along with my coach and feel like I’ll be a better player.”

Weaver, who has been helping her new teammates and coaches conduct a high school basketball camp in Price this week, said she appreciates the Golden Eagles’ team culture.

“I wanted also to be pushed by a coach that I can trust, who understands the game and can lead us to a championship,” she added.

Last season, USU-Eastern posted an overall record of 22-9, including 14-4 in Scenic West Athletic Conference, which comprises eight junior colleges in five western states in NJCAA’s Region 18. The Eagles are coached by Chelsey Warburton, who is about to start her ninth year at the helm.

“We have quite a few sophomores who played last year, and they had a good season,” Weaver added. “A lot of them are coming back. I just hope to, you know, find my role and hopefully be a leader for the team as well, on and off the court.”

Weaver added that she plans to focus her studies in the medical field, with the hope of becoming either a physical therapist or a physician’s assistant.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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