Recruiting Report: Troy Brady (2016)
January 7th Update Troy Brady is starting to figure out his college path. “I’ve been talking a lot to (Colorado School of) Mines,” he said. “I went and worked out with them before the season started and it seems…
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Continue ReadingJanuary 7th Update
Troy Brady is starting to figure out his college path.
“I’ve been talking a lot to (Colorado School of) Mines,” he said. “I went and worked out with them before the season started and it seems like they are sending me lots of positive feedback. I got accepted there and they said that if I went there I would have a spot. They would give me some money.”
A Division II program in the hoops crazy Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Orediggers are a prestigious academic institution with a fine basketball program. Mines isn’t the only program looking at Brady though.
“I talked a little bit to Fort Lewis before the season,” the senior guard added. “They said they were interested. I’m still talking to Nebraska Wesleyan also.”
On one of 5A’s best teams, Brady has been a reliable outside threat while shooting 42 percent from three in a bigger role for the Grizzlies. He’s averaging 11.9 points, second-most on the team behind only 6-foot-8 Clay Verk (15.4 ppg) and just ahead of 6-foot-7 Austin Mueller (11.4). Verk (Stetson) and Mueller (Wyoming) are both Division I signees.
For a ThunderRidge team ranked No. 2 throughout the season but now experiencing a bit of adversity with back-to-back losses to top-flight Denver East and Rangeview squads, the Grizzlies are still 9-2 and have more than enough firepower to regroup and be in contention throughout the season.
Brady is averaging 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists, as well.
“I’ve been playing pretty good,” he said. “I think I’ve been shooting pretty well and I think I’ve been facilitating really well and getting my teammates involved. With our team, we have so many scoring threats that I understand I’m not going to take every shot. I try and get my teammates involved.
“I think we’ll bounce back and definitely make a run come playoff time.”
As for the next level, Brady continues to be an excellent small-school prospect with definite Division II ability. Shooting is what he does best, but he brings more to the table than just being a three-point threat. The 6-foot senior is a very skilled guard who looks to be an impact player in college.
July Update by Nick Kosmider
Troy Brady jokes within his Twitter profile bio page that he is the “long lost Curry brother.”
The ThunderRidge and Colorado Chaos 2016 guard may not be putting on a Golden State Warriors jersey anytime soon, but Brady has proven to be one of the top shooters in Colorado — and he continues gaining more confidence in his stroke.
“I’ve been playing probably since I was 3,” Brady said of his start in basketball. “I had older brothers that played basketball, and I was always following them.”
Now, Brady is making a name for himself. Last season, the 6-foot, 155-pound guard shot 49 percent from 3-point range, a valuable asset off the bench for a ThunderRidge team that reached the Class 5A state championship game.
“He can absolutely shoot the ball,” ThunderRidge coach Joe Ortiz said.
Brady’s strength as a shooter is a quick release. He needs very little space to get his shot off, and his high basketball IQ gives him the ability to run well off screen action to find empty space on the floor.
Brady has shown this summer that there is more to his game, though, than a sweet jump shot. He is highly reliable as a ball-handler and has shown this summer, particularly during the University of Denver team camp, that he can create off the dribble, both for himself and teammates.
“I think I’m a good distributor,” Brady said. “I know I can run the offense and set up opportunities for other people to score.”
If this summer is any indication, Brady is on his way to having an even bigger impact. He made the all-tournament team during the Continental vs. Centennial High School Basketball Challenge in mid-June, hitting 6-of-7 3-pointers in one half in a game against defending state champion Overland.
Brady is hopeful his talent as an elite shooter can help him land a spot with a solid Division II program. Brady says he has sparked interest from several schools, including Concordia (Neb.) University and Illinois Tech.
A busy summer schedule with Colorado Chaos should expose the sharpshooter to even more opportunities.
“I just want to go out in July and just keeping showing my ability,” Brady said.
Junior season highlights of Brady
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4884428/highlights/265056375/v2