CENTER HOLDING COURT CANYONS' DIAZ THRIVES AS 5-FOOT-7 POST PLAYER.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

VALENCIA - The only thing more remarkable than Julianna Diaz actually playing center for the College of the Canyons women's basketball team at just 5-foot-7 is how good she is at it.

Despite her lack of size - Diaz could be the smallest collegiate center in the nation - she's been playing big. She's the Western State Conference's second-leading rebounder, averaging 10.1 per game.

She was moved from the wing to center a month ago out of necessity when teammate Marissa Meadows suffered a broken foot.

``It was basically an experiment,'' Canyons coach Greg Herrick said. ``How are you going to get a 5-8 player to play in the post? But she's a good athlete and she has really good instincts and a big heart.''

Those qualities typify the overachieving Cougars (18-3, 3-0), who despite their inexperience - they returned just three sophomores, none of whom were starters - and their lack of size - Meadows (6-1) is the only player taller than 5-10 - are off to one of their best starts ever.

A volleyball and basketball standout at Canyon High, Diaz has become a multisport sensation since coming to Canyons. She played on the volleyball team and ran track for two years, and was on the cross country team last fall. Diaz set a school record in the newly sanctioned steeplechase and qualified for the state preliminary finals last spring.

A point guard in high school, Diaz has always had exceptional leaping ability, and the Cougars have put her talent in that area to good use.

``It's pretty interesting,'' Diaz said, laughing. ``I'll go up for a jump (on the opening tipoff) and other people will be laughing at me, like, `What is she doing?' ''

But the more opponents sell her short, the more Diaz has been getting the last laugh.

``That's my best weapon,'' she said. ``They underestimate me. I think a lot of the time they think, `Oh, this is going to be easy,' and then they find out that I can work hard and that I have my speed and I can also be strong.

Meadows is soon expected to return, but since Diaz has so far exceeded Herrick's wildest expectations, she'll likely remain at center.

Although Diaz's success at center might defy the most fundamental laws of physics, let alone common sense, Meadows knows firsthand how effective a low-post presence Diaz is from going up against her in practices.

``It was just a shock because I really didn't expect her to be as good as she is,'' Meadows said. ``She's not the tallest person so you wouldn't really think she'd be a good rebounder, but she is because she gets good position and she's an athlete.''

Diaz said she's unafraid of the physical contact involved in guarding players who are often more than 50 pounds heavier and up to eight inches taller.

Then again, her lack of size is less of an issue if opposing centers can't get involved in plays.

``That's my job,'' she said, ``not to let the post player get the ball in the first place. That's what makes it easier for me to play that position. If I don't let her get the ball, then I don't have to worry about her overpowering me or her being taller than me.''

Diaz has gained a newfound respect for the grind that post players go through after playing guard most of her life, and her experience has taught her that almost anything is possible if you're determined enough.

She plans to major in kinesiology and someday wants to be a coach. Among the schools she's considering are Cal State Northridge and Long Beach, but she has doubts whether she can continue her basketball career at that level. Sort of.

``I really don't know if I could go to a four-year (school) with my height as a post player,'' Diaz said. ``But you never know.''

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College of the Canyons center Julianna Diaz is the Western State Conference's second-leading rebounder, averaging 10.1 per game.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer