Prue is Proving he Possesses Penchant for Teaching
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Darryl Prue can really teach the paint game.
August 29, 2011 – A college/professional basketball player, and later youth and collegiate coach, Darryl Prue has been in the game of basketball since graduating from Dunbar High School (DC) in 1985. Having just left Georgetown University’s Director of Basketball Operations position, the logical question could be ‘Is Prue going to stay in the game’. The answer seems to be a resounding ‘Yes’.
You see, as a player, Prue was a big man with balletic footwork and a
soft shooting touch, one that could create offense for himself seemingly
whenever, in whatever circumstance. He’s now teaching those skills
through Drop Step, Inc.
When asked this month for Drop Step’s mantra, its teaching goal,
Prue replied “Do everything off everything”. What does that
really mean and how do you get there?
“We focus on doing things both ways, equally and the same”
said Prue of his focus, one that demands moves to be mastered from both
sides of the court. “We start with the basics; know your player.
Everybody is different. So you have to teach everybody differently…I
like to see them (play) before I work with them, but I generally have
a good idea of where a player is after seeing them work out”.
Being a former frontcourt guy, that is Prue’s specialty, though
he does work with players of all positions.
During a recent session with National Basketball Association forward Greg
Monroe, Prue put is philosophy into action: They started off with warm
ups of hitting shots from various spots on the court. Afterward were drills
Prue indicated “are designed to simulate game situations”.
This included making free throws while winded, a real world hoops concern.
Of huge importance was Prue’s constant stressing of the little things;
“Keep your elbow in” was frequently told Monroe, who did at
times flare his shooting elbow. Typically after such counsel, Monroe would
immediately make the shot. “Stay with the shot” was also heard,
as the Detroit Piston at times didn’t stick with his shot per se,
instead rushing to rebound or to the next shooting spot. When Monroe highlighted
his follow through and allowed his feet to remain stable and balanced
post-shot, again he generally sank that bucket.
Prue (left), leans on Greg Monroe during a workout this summer.
Another refrain of Prue’s is “constant movement”.
Touching upon that subject, he relayed during a water break with sweat
beading from his brow, “Basketball is a game of constant movement.
There are starts and stops of course, but you are basically constantly
moving. Instead of having them (clients) run a mile, I have them constantly
move, in basketball situations”.
Color Monroe impressed.
“When you go work out with other guys, they don’t do big man
specific stuff” said Monroe, the seventh selection in last year’s
NBA draft and former G’Town Hoya standout, of Prue’s advantage.
“He does. He knows the position”.
Monroe was particularly impressed with Prue’s attention to detail,
patience and ability to impart moves/skills, including footwork. In his
estimation that has definitely helped in his current development, including
a “fadeway and different stuff”.
Another satisfied client is Roy Hibbert, like Monroe a former Hoya and
current NBA baller (with the Indianapolis Pacers).
“He's been a very influential figure in my life in terms of basketball”
said Hibbert this summer of Prue generally when he dropped by the Nike
Pro City league at Georgetown's McDonough Arena (the two met at G'Town
when Roy was a sophomore). Hibbert went on to opine "I wouldn't be
where I'm at right now if not for him”.
He continued on their current sessions: “Right now, I have him come out New York (City) two days a week. We work out, we do big man stuff. We work initially with shots in the first session, and the second session is more technique stuff”.
In terms of Prue's comparative advantage vis a vis other trainers, Hibbert noted “He's not one of these small point guards, or guys that never played that are working guys out; I've seen a bunch of those out there”. Hibbert has no hesitation recommending Prue's services to other players.
Prue himself elaborated on what he believes differentiates him from others attempting to better players, saying “I know from a player’s aspect of how to get better; I know from having a good high school level career, success in college and playing for 10 years overseas. Now add the coaching aspect to it, so I have experience on both sides...I can teach this game”.
What’s his methodology in doing so?
“I want to teach the game, not just put kids through drills. I
think we as coaches, trainers, etc. assume kids know how to play and what
we teach they should do” Prue expounded. “ Everyone is different
and to be good at you what you do, you have to recognize what their weaknesses
are and strengths are and you can’t train everyone the same”.
Ultimately Prue indicated “I want the kids I work with to be as
good as they can. Everyone can’t be Roy or Greg”.
If you have a player of any caliber, one willing to be taught the A, B,
C’s of basketball, particularly focused on working in the paint,
there’s a good bet Darryl Prue is the man for you. He’s imparting
lessons learned over 30 years of organized basketball success.
[Prue can be contacted on Facebook at Darryl Prue Basketball/Drop Step, Inc]
Prue’s hoops resume:
Souza, Jr. High School – 7th grade
Dunbar High School – junior and senior All Met First Team, Street
and Smith’s A.A.
West Virginia University – 1st team freshman A-10, second team as
sophomore and junior, first team all conference senior, majored in and
graduated with a degree in Physical Education.
Professional Career – 10 years ending in 2001, with stops in Brazil,
Mexico, Spain, Israel, Slovokia, Switzerland, Korea, CBA, Global League
St Patrick’s School – 2001 coaching, after school program
and training kids
Georgetown University Video Coordinator – 2004
Morgan State University Assistant Coach – 2007
Georgetown University Director of Basketball Operations – 2009 through
2011
Drop step, Inc, Founder - Present