Prep Basketball : La Quinta’s Buford Quits Basketball Team

Ari Buford, an all-Garden Grove League guard/forward, has quit the La Quinta High School basketball team, according to Jim Perry, La Quinta coach.

Buford, a 6-foot 3-inch senior, was averaging 15.2 points and 9 rebounds through 15 games, mostly at forward. He left the team last week because, Perry said, “he wanted to play guard all the time.”

Perry said Buford was worried that playing inside would hurt his chances of being recruited.

“He didn’t think he was getting enough exposure at the off-guard position,” Perry said. He said he was aware of Buford’s desire to play guard, but conceded he was “very surprised” when Buford quit.