Estes Is One to Watch

Ron Bailey, Publisher

December 17, 2008 – December 17, 2008 – Our Savior New American (Long Island, NY) is the home to a geographically disparate group of high school players; student athletes hailing from the New York area, deep south, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Washington, D.C. has provided sophomore Anthony Estes.

Standing 6’6” and weighing 191 pounds, the Class of 2011’s Estes recently shared he left Theodore Roosevelt (DC) for Our Savior in search of “better opportunities” on and of the hardwood. Academically he has stepped up his ‘game’ with an “82 average, which can be better”. The same goes for basketball.

Anthony Estes impressed during the recent Good Counsel Tournament in Olney, MD.

Always an athletic swingman possessing a solid all around game, Estes likes getting to the basket in half court situations, hitting mid range shots, and rebounding. Going forward, expect him to improve further. “I have to work on my handles, playing defense, and shot selection, since I consider myself a guard and forward” said Estes, a Northeast, DC resident.

His AAU/travel team coach and mentor, Lyndon ‘Black’ DeBellotte agrees with that assessment, adding “He dribbles too high up” and needs to improve “His knowledge of the game”.

DeBellotte, a D.C. hoops legend who starred at the University of the District of Columbia expects much of Estes, noting: “I think the sky’s the limit with that kid. If he buckles down starts to understand the game while continuing to improve, the sky’s the limit”.

Having worked with Anthony for three years as coach of Kids First Basketball, an experience Estes appreciates greatly, DeBellotte should know, and as such pushes the young man. This includes playing with college and pro standouts in the summer, sessions in which Anthony has impressed. “When he wants to play the total game, he dominates” said DeBellotte of those contests with older, stronger guys. “He blocks shots, rebounds, scores – shooting with the left hand and right hand, and posting up…I wouldn’t trade him for anybody in the country!”

Though Anthony may be flying under the general public’s radar, astute college recruiters are aware of him. “LSU, USC, Florida, Georgetown, Boston College, Baylor, Maryland and West Virginia” have all seen him during practices shared Estes. Many more will follow.

It’s says on the Kids First website, “We are victors, not victims”, a mantra that in large part applies to Estes – he’s both driving himself and being driven for success. Keep your eye out for him and that organization this summer.