To Braxton, Detractors Talk Nonsense

Ron Bailey, Publisher

May 18, 2007 – As an All-Metro and all-conference (BCL, MIAA) player last season, Baltimore’s Braxton Dupree concluded a stellar high school career by averaging 21 points and 13 rebounds per contest for the campaign. The laid back, mannerly young guy also accepted a full-ride to his state’s flagship university, the Atlantic Coast Conference’s University of Maryland, this school year.

Given his current status as a Calvert Hall College High School senior on the verge of graduation, it is natural becoming a Maryland Terrapin weighs heavily on his mind. “I can’t wait. I can’t stop thinking about it” revealed Dupree, at the recent Charlie Weber DC Shootout, where he was lending support to his AAU/travel team program, the Baltimore Stars.

After choosing Maryland, over the likes of “Virginia Tech, Miami, Pitt” and “Boston College” because of proximity to his Baltimore home and the program’s leader, Gary Williams, who Braxton labeled “a hall of fame coach”, one would think the 6’8”, 255lb center/forward would hear nothing but positive remarks regarding his decision.

Not so in today’s fickled world of college basketball, as some hoops community members of the Free State and beyond have derided not only his signing, but that of other members of his class at Maryland (see Bowie has Bolstered Game, Terps to Benefit).

Such talk about Braxton supposes he can’t bang with taller ACC centers, or he doesn’t have the skill set to compete, and even questions how he will factor into Williams’ and Maryland’s flex offense.

To Dupree, such yapping holds no weight. Regarding the size issue, he readily shared Maryland has had post players that have been around his dimensions (See Lonny Baxter, who helped lead the school to a National Championship in 2002, along with current Terp Bambale Osby). And it’s not like 6’8”, 255lbs is Mugsy Bogues-esque.

In terms of skill set, Braxton established “I’m a back to the basket player” a fact that puts him in increasingly rare company, as “A lot of big guys want to stay away from the basket”. His self identified favorite move of “drop stepping baseline and spinning middle with the left hand or right handed hook” is not illustrative of a player limited in skills, or work ethic.

Dupree shared his primary, self-defined weakness of "playing defense away from the basket" is being addressed in workouts.

Those that suggest he won’t succeed in the flex offense should also be put on notice, as Braxton has ample experience in that scheme. “I ran that for four years in high school” relayed Dupree, “and it creates a lot of isolation, with no help right in the middle” – thereby opening the door to his aforementioned favorite move.

If anybody doubts Dupree’s propensity to continue improving by working hard and thereby assure success, just look at his recent weight loss (he is down from 275lbs), or the constant expansion of his game. Of course they could also ask the Baltimore Stars’ staff.

“He’s going to prove them wrong” opined Tony Baylor a long time Stars coach and official. In fact, Baylor will continue helping Dupree develop, despite the latter’s matriculation to college, stating he has an obligation to “see the project all the way through”.

According to Braxton, the project began around the time he entered elementary school. “Coach Tony has worked with me since I was six” shared Dupree, adding initially he wasn’t on the Stars’ travel team, but eventually earned a spot. Competing out of the area occurred by Dupree when he reached the age of 10.

In Braxton’s estimation, all that early work with the Stars “did a lot for me”, though the development was not solely hoops centered. “They helped me grow into a better young man” stated Dupree, who also became exposed to different environments and locales through the Stars.

“Everybody who knocks me will be surprised” concluded Dupree. “I’m working hard everyday”. The soon-to-be Terp also shared other members of his incoming class will and are doing the same, as he expressed “We are pretty good, but underestimated”.

In the opinion of i95Ballerz.com, that sentiment definitely applies to this Baltimore standout. Keep getting it done Braxton, like you always have.