Zion Harmon's Roar Still Rings Bells in the DMV

Zion Harmon has committed to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the first major surprise of the spring.  The Hilltoppers over the last five years have continued to dabble in the conversation of top 30 players in the county. They have again landed a big fish for their small pound in DC native Zion Harmon.  Harmon thanked his doubters in his commitment speech – twice – but few to this day understand how such a talent born and breed in this area didn’t play a single minute for the plethora of schools in his home state. 

Harmon has all of the tools that coaches love to see in point guards ad without the convoluted situation at some of the high major we may be discussing and looking at an entire different situation as it pertain to commitments. 

“The Lion” has great strength for size for a point guard and will be an immediate starter for WKU. Despite being powerfully-built, he has the quickness to penetrate past defenders and get to the rim. He also shoots the ball well, extending out to well beyond the three-point stripe - all of this is well known in this area. 

His feel and understanding of the game is beyond his years, bordering on a professional level that point guards have to possess to be successful at the high major level. He is vastly underrated in his ability to incorporate his teammates into the offensive framework. He also handles the ball adeptly as if it is on a string. He does a great job spacing the floor with his shooting and ability to breakdown defenders, which put him in an elite status among guards – the same status he has enjoyed as Top 20 ESPN Prospect and one he enjoyed as a Top 5 Middle School player. He penetrates to the basket fearlessly. He plays with a great amount of poise and confidence.

Harmon would have never left the DMV if  a local recruiter with NIKE  had met his request to play on the EYBL Circuit as a 7^th grader – at which time he average 14ppg and 6ast before entering the 8^th grade.  Its amazing how one mistake in the evaluation of a single player can change the narrative of a program and a player.  Harmon went on to finish as a Top 20 player in the country in his classof 2021 according to ESPN prior to re-classing into the 2020 class.

Harmon will long be considered a DMV legend with the final chapter to his story still to still be written – but many never understand why he left; he didn’t have believers or individuals with the ability to evaluate at young age what he would end up being.  Harmon turned down Louisville, Kansas, Maryland and Kentucky in picking Western Kentucky emphasizing what it takes at even a young age to properly gage talent.

Tyler Brelsford Goes from 0 to 41 Real Quick - In Record Setting PYBL Performance

 

Tyler Brelsford is an extremely mature and poised lead guard. He has consistently displayed the unique ability to make the players around him better, fit into the team concept, and has to be considered one of the winningest youth players in the DMV – having been a part of multiple national top 10 & top 5 teams.  This lineage cannot be disputed by anyone as these facts have been documented and proven over time.

Tyler’s style of play typically is not focused on individual accolades or high scoring exploits – from an evaluation standpoint he is not a quick study.  His is a game that students of the game and purest find extremely appealing – camps, all-star situations, and unstructured environments previously haven’t been where Brelsford shined at his brightest even when holding his own.

The Premier Youth Basketball League which has been around for three years has built a reputation on providing individual players a platform to showcase their talents.  As Tyler Brelsford stepped onto the stage this past weekend, many assumed they had seen this show before – but this feature presentation was a new release… Tyler Brelsford 2.0.

Brelsford put on a display and showed a whole new aspect to the continuing development of his game; he didn’t ask for respect he stepped on the floor and took it.  

Tyler Brelsford’s stat-line for the day: FGs: 6-11, 3pt FGs: 6-9, FTs: 11-11 Total Points: 41

The performance broke the previous league record held by Brayden Gault who put on a show in the championship game in the PYBLs inaugural season.  Brelsford fresh off his  #2 finish in the NYBL National Championship hasn't been a PYBL one game wonder as he leads the league in scoring at 25.3ppg, 5-points ahead of the next closest player.

One of the most enigmatic forces in all of youth basketball - its time that he be appreciated for the player that he is locally and nationally.  Enjoy the entire 41-point performance below provided courtesy of PYBL TV.

Summer Shoe Circuits Heats Up On & Off the Court

(Left) Carmelo Anthony - Team Melo (MD) - (Right) Chris Paul - Team CP3 (NC)

One of the most confusing yet important aspects of grassroots basketball is the battle that takes place not on the court but in the corporate board rooms across the country.  Within the DMV as across the country there is no difference in this highly competitive market.  There are unwritten rules to the game and one with high stakes for programs, players, parents, and high school and college coaches.  What is battle are we referring to you may wonder; it’s the one sneak brand battle being waged year round and is now at its peak this time of year.

In the pass year there have been major landscape changes at the top of all the shoe companies; NIKE, Adidas, and Under Armor – Carlton DeBose is now the heading up NIKE and works with a team of regional directors who assist in identifying top talent in their respective areas.  Under Armor new head man is Nick Blatchford who also has a team of professional who are looking to get the job done.  Adidas has no slouch behind the wheel with Jim Gatto making things happen for the three stripes.

The overall value of these brands and relationships is the national circuit access they all provide.  Top players from across the country are sought out by sneak affiliated clubs to represents them and their brands on national circuits.  The circuits are set-up in league style systems built over multiple sessions, where at some of the younger age group some brands set up tournament style events.  Regardless of the set-up style they all have one thing in common and that is they provide a direct link to visibility by college coaches from all over the country.  Not just your Duke’s, Syracuse’s, or UCLA’s - but also your Florida Gulf Coast’s. Texas States, and Central Akansas; they are all in attendance and the beauty is that a single child only has to be like by one to get an opportunity to play at the next level. The aforementioned events are held during what is known as live periods; where colleges are able to come out and interact directly with players and parents. 

The next session dates and location for the three brands are as follows:

Nike & Under Armor  Lexington, Ky. (April 24-26)

Adidas Indianapolis (April 24-26)

Operating on the same date is done purposely and strategically; requiring a commitment and allegiance to a specific affiliate by the player and the parent.  Not just to the leagues, but also to the camp circuit, and ultimately to college programs and possibly beyond.  Kids who have known as played together from the time they were knee high to a duck may not play with or against each other unless it’s a high school situation as the commitments are paramount to the program directors, scouts, and the advertising and marketing arms of the entities that support and represent the programs and young men.

Given the “short” season in comparison it’s paramount that whatever uniform you put on AS A PLAYER you make sure that you are PLAYING; it’s not necessarily about wins from that end – though there is a high premium put on it as it relates to the actual programs, as there are performance expectations that must be met for relationships to be maintained.  The players true objective is to be seen and get looks and obtain a scholarship – the programs objective is to obtain the most talented players, put the best product on the floor, win and retain their relationships.  The easiest way for both parties to win is to put the team together and go out kick some butt and make some noise.  Those looking for an opportunity at any level 14u to 17u and needs some assistance and guidance for now or in the future may call the National Youth Basketball Network at 1.800.338.4629 and they can assist with getting you in contact with a club representative in your area that fits your child’s developmental needs and can provide you with chances to been by college recruiters.

The game at this level can be grimy and cutthroat; but if you make the right choice and decision can be very rewarding and be the building block for future success and opportunities.