McMikle is Latest New Yorker to Blossom at NCA

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Brian McMikle at the Southern Invitational

May 8, 2006 – National Christian Academy’s (Fort Washington, MD) coach, Trevor Brown, has established a pipeline of talent, with kids from the Big Apple traveling down I-95 to improve both academically and athletically to National. Recently, Georgetown’s Jessie Sapp did just that. Brian McMickle seems to be the next in line.

A 5’11”, 175lb junior point guard, hailing from the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, NY, Brian has developed greatly after transferring to National last year, which is witnessed by his coach opining “He has come a long way, but has a long way to go”. Upon enrolling at the school, Brown felt McMikle “Condition-wise, he was overweight and too slow for a kid his size”. Additionally, Brown shared the young man needed to make an attitude adjustment, thereby making him more coachable.

During the recently completed Southern Invitational AAU Tournament, in which National Christian had an entry, McMikle acknowledged his “stamina is great”, as his high school’s coaching staff has him “run everyday now”.

That increased wind was obvious to all who witnessed Brian mastermind National’s 71-62 victory over AAU juggernaut, the D.C. Blue Devils. During this highly competitive contest, McMikle would open the game up in the second half, thereby securing a win for his team. His three-ball range, dribbling ability, passing skills and court savvy including great work in pick and roll situations, were all displayed, and helped him to produce 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in the victory.

According to Brown, the young man entered his program “seeing the floor and handling the ball well”, in addition to possessing “a good feel for the game”. Brian’s outside shooting ability was not as advanced, but immediately the school's basketball staff set out to change that. “The thing is, it’s like I said, it’s all about developing players” said National’s coach. “If a point guard can’t shoot the jump shot that limits his options. He (McMikle) has to put the work in”.

And work he has. Brian shared “I’ve been doing a lot of work on it every day with Coach Brown. He’s been telling me how to shoot it and how to release it”. It’s just coming along good”. Coachability is not an issue now.

In addition to being able to shoot more accurately and improving his conditioning, Brown indicated the young guy "is more of a floor general, a better leader, and better defender” at this point, on the court. Off it, Brian is continuing to strive academically, possessing a GPA “of around 2.8 or 2.9” per his coach, and is still progressing to reach “his goal all year of getting over a 3.0”.

After averaging approximately 10 points, five assists, and two rebounds for National Christian this season, and playing well in AAU ball for both his school and DC Assault’s Gold team, McMikle has received scholarship interest from Kansas State, Siena, and St. Johns. At this point he is wide open in his recruitment, and stated a decision “could be sooner or later”, depending on what colleges recruit him and offer. Math may be his post-high school major.

The relative lack of schools showing interest will not continue. “A lot of people don’t know the kid” Brown said. “He just needs to keep playing. By the time the month of July comes around (the next Division I open period), he’ll get a lot of looks”.

Outside of academics and athletics, McMikle also credits transferring to National Christian for personal development, stating “It was a change in the way I live and stuff”. Elaborating further, said “It’s (the move) was good for me, because my responsibilities as a man are coming along good”. Basically, he feels he has grown as a young man over the course of this past year.

Brian characterized himself as a “team player, who plays hard even if people don’t think I am” (due to a laid-back on-court persona). Brown labeled the young guy “A pass first or throwback point guard” that “is starting to look better every week”. Not bad for less than a year’s worth of work. The sky’s the limit for McMikle, going forward. Looks like another success story in the making, via the New York – National Christian connection.