Beatty’s Back, Better Than Before

Miles Beatty, combo guard of Playaz AAU, and St. Anthony's of Jersey City, NJ

May 26, 2006 – One of the most rewarding things when observing AAU Basketball over a period of time is witnessing a kid’s on and off court development. Many times, you can actually see the mature before your eyes. Watching New Jersey’s Miles Beatty, you get that feeling.

Beatty, a 6 foot 2 inch, 200lb junior combo guard from Guttenberg, New Jersey, is receiving his basketball education from two of that state’s most esteemed institutions, St. Anthony’s High School in Jersey City, and Playaz AAU. Last season, Beatty was a high scoring guard with good athleticism and a penchant for doing the unexpected offensively. A slew of programs were recruiting the then sophomore.

This year, Miles can still put the ball in the basket, but does so more within the context of the offense (thereby exhibiting maturity), than last year. During a game against Baltimore Select in Charlie Weber’s Easter Hoop Fest tournament, Beatty scored 21 points, while functioning as the lead guard and illustrating the ability to run a ball club effectively.

Jim Salmons, founder and head coach of the Playaz AAU organization

Jim Salmons, the head of the Playaz program acknowledged at the Hoop Fest Miles is “doing a great job of getting everybody involved and hitting the open shot". St. Anthony’s assistant coach Damel Ling, during a recent phone interview agreed, but indicated that school staff, including the legendary Bob Hurley, want Miles “to be more vocal” on the court.

Beatty's Playaz coach during the Hoop Fest, Mark Wright, had an interesting take on Miles’ ability to lead. “He always had leadership skills because of the school he goes to. He’s well coached” said this young coach, himself only a short time removed from playing with the Playaz, in college, and professionally. “This year, I think he’s just tuned it down. Last year he was a lot more reckless – too many dribbles, basically (less effective) decision making”. Wright, whose relative youth allows him to relate well to his charges, went on to say “But this year, he’s using the energy on more positive things, like passing and playing defense. So that’s why he looks more under control”.

Mike Wright, Playaz coach, after talking to Beatty during a break in the action

Beatty’s defensive improvement over last year is the most obvious to observers. When asked if he in fact was more committed to defending, Miles responded “A lot more. That’s mostly due to St. Anthony’s. I have to play defense (under head coach Bobby Hurley, and his staff)”. He went on to share “That was my first goal this year. I’m still working on it, with a lot of other things too”, like his passing ability and overall point guard skills.

Ling, agreed that Beatty’s “defensive intensity has picked up a lot” but in the hard-driving fashion of St. Anthony's staff, they want it to continue increasing. During the Hoop Fest, Miles consistently remained between the basket and his opponent, while typically maintaining good defensive form (crouched, arms wide, legs shoulder width). The effort wasn’t lost on Salmons. “He’s playing really good defense against guards who are really good off the dribble” he said.

Beatty (rt.), on the bench during the Weber Spring Fling

In terms of the schools recruiting Miles, the young guy noted “Maryland, Rutgers, Miami, Penn State” and others are all involved, with Maryland, Rutgers and Miami having officially offered a scholarship. Expect the number of schools interested in him to increase, as St. Anthony’s Ling expects Beatty’s production to improve not only upon last year’s averages of “11 to 12 points, four assists, and four to five rebounds" per game, but in the aforementioned leadership category as well. At his final college destination, Miles desires to play the combo or shooting guard position.

When summing the difference between Miles Beatty in 2005, and 2006, Salmons responded succinctly, "Well, he knows he's a senior (next school year), and he's much more passonate about representing for college coaches - showing his abilities. There's definitely a difference".

Check back with i95Ballerz.com for updates on Miles' recruitment. His development is a case study in how hard work pays off.