Snapshots, Pt. 7

Ron Bailey, Publisher

September 5, 2007 - Back once again is the Snapshot Series, where talented high school-aged male basketball players are featured, after being observed this travel team season.

Delonte ‘Big 50’ Boyd – Junior center/power forward, 6’4”, 240lbs – Previously dubbed ‘The Best 6’4” center in America’, Boyd routinely battles players that dwarf him height-wise, with strength, guile, fundamentals, and heart.

To understand the impact Delonte, aka ‘Big 50’ has on a game, one must see him play, as it’s almost counter-intuitive to assume a player of his stature can not only drive a team to victory, but dominate action at times. Boyd’s play during the Hoop Group’s Triple “S” Harley Davidson Jam Fest was truly remarkable and illustrative, as he helped lead Triple Threat to the 16 and under Gold Division title, and along the way turned in what many in the Triple Threat organization view as the play of this summer: After having rebounded, blocked shots, and passed against an opponent much taller then he, ‘Big 50’ was scored on by that foe, who let him know about it. Undaunted, Delonte recalled “I did a spin move, and scored on an and-one”, through contact. His power move elicited cheers throughout the gym, and allowed Boyd and his teammates to energize, which surely helped them to victory.

Though Delonte’s regularly scores around the cup via power moves and fade away shots, he revealed “I can shoot it (from the perimeter), but I choose not to”. Going forward, this Wise High School (MD) standout pledged to improve his footwork by training with “Coach Ron (Winbush), who works with the (Triple Threat) 17’s” as well as “tone up” by continuing his conditioning work, as well as extending the range on his jumper.

Colleges have noticed his work, with St. Francis (PA) having offered, while Mount St. Mary’s, Siena, Fordham, Farleigh-Dickenson, and UMBC all expressing strong interest.

Ronald Williams, freshman point guard, 5’9”, 150 lbs – If there was an encyclopedia of basketball players where an entry for young, floor general, set up guys existed, Williams’ picture should be there. Though somewhat diminutive, Ronald can penetrate almost at will, where he looks to set up teammates that either flare away or go towards the cup. The fact Ronald possesses good strength, quickness, and excellent vision makes it happen for him.

One of his coaches at Baltimore’s Saint Frances Academy, Nick Myles, thinks highly of Williams present and future ability, but shard Ronald will not be rushed. “The kid will play junior varsity (this year)” noted Myles,“by his family’s choice, one because he is a freshman, and two this will give him a chance to adjust to the BCL (Baltimore Catholic League) with no pressure and receive a lot of minutes leading our junior varsity team”.

Myles went on to echo the observations provided above, as he believes “Ronald is a very unique kid because he is a pass first, 94 feet of defense playing guard. He should very well develop into a high major guard”.

The high school and AAU coach (Crusader Nation) went on to posit “I would argue with anyone that he is the best point guard in the entire I-95 area in his class”.

(Photo supplied by Means)

Carter Cook, senior swingman, 6’4”, 230 lbs – Despite Kappa Magic head coach Lacardo Mean’s decleration, “I think, no I know, that Carter is a lot better player then some of these college coaches think his is” as “they saw him when he was hurt (during the Super Showcase in Orlando) and should not have played (an injury that still lingers)”, Carter still was able to do work in the Back To School Showcase.

Cook, a heady shooter who just makes plays, did so throughout the event: Whether he was draining jumpers, rebounding, passing, driving, or making sneaky steals off inbounds passes, Carter impacted the game. His gutsy 21 point performance in a quarterfinal loss impressed many.

Going forward, the savvy and skilled Cook will help himself recruiting-wise by improving on his conditioning – a point Means, his coach for about five years does not hesitate to think will happen – and foot quickness.

Presently, Fairfield, Winthrop, Gardner-Webb, and Western Carolina have all expressed strong interest, with the last two having offered the Calvary Baptist (Winston-Salem, NC) standout.

All three of these young guys played in the Hoop Magic’s Back To School Showcase. Click here for coverage of that event.