A Weekend at Pro City
Ron Bailey, Publisher
(Page 2)
Jerome Smart, Oliver’s coach with the Playaz (AAU), agrees the young man’s effectiveness is enhanced by playing a perimeter position, where he provides coaches options. “He gives you a lot of flexibility” shared Smart, who has coached with the Playaz since the organization’s inception. “He can defend perimeter players as well as low post players. When you go big, he can play guards. When you go small, he can defend bigs”.
“He’s a great long distance shooter” commented Oliver’s AAU coach on his charge’s offensive strength. “He can shoot the ball out to 21 feet”. This ability has been demonstrated accross 15, 16, 17, and 19 and under competition.
Observers can expect more of the same for Brian this season at William Penn, with a new twist. “First of all, because he’s gotten a lot of attention from big time schools, he’s going to take a leadership position for us” on the court, shared DiGennaro. In terms of deployment, the school’s coach indicated “We are going to do what we did last year”, and expects big results.
Oliver is seen here, at his home in Delaware. As a sophomore, he is widely considered one of the best players in that state. (Photo coutesy of Z.Oliver)
To prepare for the added responsibility placed upon him, Oliver has continued his general physical development work with his father, Robert. According to his mom, “Brian’s trainer and teacher is his dad. His dad used to be one of his AAU and Park and Recreation coaches, but Brian asked him to focus on just training him.
“They lift together and his dad keeps him on a pretty regimented schedule, especially in the off-season weeks. His father played football at University of Iowa so he is very familiar with weight training and what it takes to get to the next level. He also is the one that has helped develop his shooting skills over the years”.
In terms of basketball skill work, Brian is currently focusing on improving his dribbling and ball handling. Smart feels the young guy’s previous experience playing with his back to the basket or in the high post - he’s competed in organized hoops since the age of 10 – has made him “not as adept” at patting the rock, as he will need to be.
Zena agrees, and added creating personal shot opportunities for himself as a necessary point of development for her son. “B is very unselfish on the floor” she noted, “and sometimes is too quick to give the ball up”.
The Oliver’s plan to expose their son to as many schools as possible, before he starts whittling down his school list during or after his junior year. According to Zena, her son “will take officials (school financed visits, of which the NCAA allows recruits five) early in the senior year, commit, and be ready to sign senior year in November”.
Those plans could change, if Brian finds a school he is certain he will be happy with. As of now, he is vetting institutions based upon future playing time, and the future skill development they offer.
Whatever school Oliver attends, its safe to assume it will be a Division I institution. Smart of the Playaz definitely thinks Brian is a future “high major” player. With the ability to defend and play multiple positions, while standing 6’6”, that analysis seems spot on.
Add the young guy’s academic prowess, which according to William Penn’s DiGennaro includes “At the end of year” receiving “honor roll and student of the month honors”, while presently owning a G.P.A. “right around a 3.0”. That combination of grades, skills and size make Brian Oliver’s future bright.
Check back with i95Ballerz.com for Oliver recruitment updates. It’s sure to get interesting.