Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

After being on opposite sides for two seasons, Braylon Vega and Michael Mondragon are now on the same team.

Vega, a 6-foot-2 junior guard, transferred from Hobbs High School to Artesia before the start of the 2024-2025 school year .

Mondragon, Artesia’s head basketball coach, said Vega brought energy and excitement to the Bulldogs this season after averaging a combined 9.1 points per game during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Hobbs High School.

“He gives us another offensive threat … any time in the game you can never have to much offense. He definitely stretches the floor for us,” Mondragon said.

Vega, 17, transferred when his family moved to Artesia, where his dad Robert Vega is employed in the oil and gas business. His mom is Heather Vega and he has a younger brother named Brantley along with an older sister, Kaeleigh, who lives in Lubbock.

Vega came from a high school that has won 17 state basketball titles, and Mondragon said the newcomer brought the championship basketball mentality to Artesia, where football has reigned supreme with 32 state titles.

The Bulldogs have won two state basketball titles, in 1995 and 1997, long before Vega was born.

Mondragon is hoping Vega can help the Bulldogs capture its first state championship of the 21st century. He said Vega quickly adapted to Artesia’s style of play during the opening month of the season.

“He’s been an amazing kid to have in our program,” the coach said. “The best thing about him is he is a junior. He’s been a great teammate. He’s getting acclimated to what we’re doing.”

Vega said when the season started Dec. 5 in Artesia’s City of Champions Classic he wanted to bond with his new teammates and make it to postseason play.

“Win district and going all out” were his goals for the rest of the season, he said.

As he looks to the future, Vega has another year of high school to consider but after that there’s the possibility of college basketball and eventually choosing a career path.

“I think I’m going to go for business management,” he said.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or follow on X @MSmithartesianm.