Prep’s Young Making the Most of Gifts
(Page 2)
Some young people may have shirked from attending a school like Prep that boasts not only challenging academics, but for a significant portion of the student body, a residential high school experience. Where other’s felt trepidation, Garvey “wanted to be challenged academically and athletically” according to Mr. Young, and Prep in their estimation provided the “best mix”.
Garvey agreed, and added living on Georgetown Prep’s campus “Is a lot different than home. It’s helping me mature”. This includes doing his own laundry and exercising time management skills. Mr. Young shared he believes Garvey also enjoys the greater independence residential living affords, and as such, “by the first year in college, he will be more than ready” for living away from home.
This spring and summer, Young will once again play AAU ball with Maryland Madness. Having risen through that organization’s ranks after initially playing in the 13 and under category, he will now compete in the hyper-competitive 17 and under division, while also engaging in some 16-under action.
Garvey has pledged himself improve this off- season, as he will “work on defense, and ball handling, while playing against other great players” with Maryland Madness. Bryant also has stressed his prodigy must “get bigger and stronger” as well. If he can improve upon his upper and lower body strength, opponents beware, as his strengths, which Bryant lists as being “an excellent ball handler and excellent shooter” will be enhanced.
Mr. Young is involved in Madness program, via an administrative capacity, and leaves the basketball instruction of his son in the capable hands of two longtime NBA vets – Buck Williams and Enis Whatley - who played in the world's best league for 16 and 8 years respectively. Both Williams, who concentrates on the forwards/centers, and Whatley, who teaches and guides the guards, provide expert basketball instruction. They will have the chance to do so in the 10 to 11 tournaments Madness is scheduled to participate in this year, including ones in Las Vegas and North Carolina, as well as several locally.
It’s fair to assume that a talented ball player who has earned a 3.0 GPA in a difficult academic environment, leads his team to a good record, and participates in AAU basketball will be highly recruited going into his junior year – Garvey is no exception. Letters have been received by Notre Dame, GA Tech, Maryland, Penn State, LSU, Illinois, Northwestern, Stanford, Clemson, Duke, VCU, and VA Tech. He also has played pickup last summer at Georgetown, having been invited by former Prep center and current Hoya big man Roy Hibbert.
Garvey will chose a school in part based upon their style of play. “It has to be a style of basketball I like playing”, which he described as one in which the team “just runs, and plays pressure defense”. A verbal commitment will probably be made around the middle, or possibly towards the end of his junior year.
Due to the demands made on his time by school and athletics, Garvey indicated he spends “probably a little less time going to the mall, or going to the movies” than other teenagers. But he still enjoys many of the things most local teenagers do, including listening to “rap, Go-Go, and R&B”. CCB and UCB are his favorite Go-Go bands. When it comes to grub, he truly enjoys his “grandmother’s curry chicken”, and his mother Felicia’s handmade cheesecake.
Mr. Young succinctly summarized his son’s athletic prowess by saying “God gave him some extra stuff in his package”. That thought was echoed by Bryant. “I have always described him as a natural basketball player”, Prep's coach said. “He does things on the floor that are just instinctive. He knows how to get out of situations that most players panic in…He was made to play basketball”.
But Garvey Young is not solely an athlete – he’s a well adjusted young guy, who is growing as a student, player, and person. His father has told Garvey “What God has for you, is for you”. It seems that will include some big things.
Bryant and Young during pregame confab
Young Setting Up Offense
Garvey in lounge mode