SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic --- Big-time scoring, rebounding, facilitating. Malvin Payero did it all while serving as the engine driving Valley Christian High School's recent success in boys basketball. 

The guard helped the Defenders match their best start in recent memory with his Hews Media Group Player of the Year performance during his senior season. And now that Payero has signed with Biola Men's Basketball, the Eagles are hoping he will bring that familiar brand of dynamism they saw from Chris Rossow and company during their successful run to the PacWest Championship game.

Payero earned back-to-back Hews Media Group All-Area First Team selections over his two years on the varsity squad while Valley Christian made back-to-back appearances in the CIF Southern Section playoffs. And after posting 15.3 points in 19 games as a junior, Payero made a big splash early in his senior season by earning tournament MVP honors at the 2019 Valley Christian Thanksgiving Classic. 

Payero scored 111 points over the four games of the tournament and was instrumental in the Defenders' 19-point victory over La Mirada High in the championship round, going 8-for-11 from the field in the second and third quarters. Valley Christian was given the No. 1 spot in the CIF-SS Division 3A pre-league play rankings shortly thereafter and eventually built a 17-1 record before facing Olympic League opponents. 

The Defenders also won the 2019 San Pedro Pirate Shootout Tournament and saw their leading guard earn all-tournament team honors at the Tartan Classic over the course of non-league action. Payero's team was basically a lock for CIF playoffs after that remarkable success, allowing the Defenders to qualify for sectional play for the ninth season in a row. And as if that wasn't enough, they won their first 11 games and equaled the best start to a season MaxPreps.com has recorded for Valley Christian Boys Basketball.

When all was said and done, Payero averaged 22.4 points during the 2019-20 schedule and scored 155 points more points than any other player in his area over the course of the season. He earned All-CIF Southern Section Division 3A honors as a result, adding to his trophy case that includes the aforementioned Player of the Year recognition and the multiple tournament MVP's and championships he earned with his Veritas Preparatory Academy club team.

Payero hopes to start his own business after majoring in business administration at Biola and said he chose Biola because of the great people and the opportunity to play NCAA Division II basketball. More information on the rest of the student-athletes that will join him at Biola can be found on the Committed Athletes page.