Prospect Spotlight: Alonzo Motley III (2019)
When a prospect is yet to have earned the full opportunity at the high school level, you’re looking more for tendencies than skills. How does he deal perform in a limited role? What is he doing to take the next…
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Continue ReadingWhen a prospect is yet to have earned the full opportunity at the high school level, you’re looking more for tendencies than skills. How does he deal perform in a limited role? What is he doing to take the next step?
As a 6’2” sophomore, Summit Country Day combo guard Alonzo Motley III wants to impress in whatever minutes he’s given.
“I think one of my best skills is shooting the ball. But also, just intensity in general. If you put me on the floor, you know, there’s a lot of intensity … On defense, I’ll be talking and therefore that will spread to my teammates. And then when we all start talking, we get more in depth to the game … That’s probably what I will bring off the bench,” Motley III said.
The combo guard was the lone freshman on a varsity team last season that advanced to the Regional Final. Through purposeful hard work, he will be given more playing time next season.
“I feel like next year, my coach will trust me more. He’ll see me play more and so he will allow me to play a lot next year and have a really important role,” Motley III said.
What is he doing to prepare for that opportunity?
“Learning the difference between being aggressive and forcing … Get bigger this summer … I’ve been in the weight room, doing dum-bells. Just doing simple leg exercises trying to get my hips stronger, my legs stronger. So I’ll be ready for the speed of the varsity level, and the next level.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi2bb01Qc_M
Given the style of ball Motley III excels at, continuing to add speed and explosion will be crucial. He has made a habit of starting the break, whether by turnover or defensive rebounds. Once in transition, he’s usually a reliable playmaker.
His frame allows him to finish around the rim. But as he mentioned, learning when to kick out amongst the trees is an area of improvement.
Even though his lefty jumper appears slightly unorthodox, it drops in consistently. In the half-court, defenses will have to account for his spot-up abilities. In turn, his own willingness to drive will open up shots for teammates.
This summer, he played with the Cincy Rise grassroots program. Whether or not he stays with that team going forward will be based on if he’s being pushed.
“Next summer, I might play with them. But it’s really a toss up in the air … I want to be on a team where it can elevate me. Where I have players around me that are just as good as me, or better. Therefore, I’ll have to raise my game,” Motley III said.
The sophomore to be carries a 3.9 GPA.
Given his supporting cast, which includes a father that played basketball for Ohio University and now trains young hoopers, Motley III’s game should see a steady maturity. Once he fully understands “the difference between being aggressive and forcing” his skill-set will be of serious value.