Recruiting Report: Charles Falden (Post Grad)
While players are getting recognized and ranked at younger ages every year, it has become increasingly rare to see a player with division one talent that plays two years of JV basketball. However, after his post graduate year at Massanutten,…
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Continue ReadingWhile players are getting recognized and ranked at younger ages every year, it has become increasingly rare to see a player with division one talent that plays two years of JV basketball. However, after his post graduate year at Massanutten, Charles Falden will likely be one of those few left.
After breaking his leg his freshman year at LC Bird high school in Chesterfield, Falden starred on JV his sophomore year, and seemingly came out of nowhere to have a breakout season his junior year. The icing on the cake came in a bitter sweet way, as he was named 5A state Player of the Year last season, after an unreal spurt where he scored 17 points in the last two minutes, almost single handedly willing Bird to a comeback victory.
Despite his senior year success, Falden graduated with very little interest from division one schools. After announcing that he would prep a year at Massanutten Military Academy, he quickly picked up offers from VMI, Campbell, and Quinnipiac; And he has seen the likes of Bryant, South Alabama, Arkansas State and Winthrop show major interest early in the season.
Safe to say, it looks like it was a good decision by him.
“Coming to MMA was the best choice for me,” Falden said about his decision to take a post grad year. “It has helped me off the court with discipline from the military part and learning how to be on time and being on your on.”
“On the court it has helped me as well, because we are constantly in the gym getting up shots and competing and in the weight room getting stronger.”
While he wasn’t the biggest name that transferred into Massanutten, Falden wasted no time getting in the gym and showing what he can do. A natural scorer that can play on or off the ball, the 6’3” shooting guard earned a starting spot for them, and through 10 games he’s averaging 19 points, four rebounds and two assists per game while shooting 52% from the field and 48% from deep.
While those numbers don’t surprise anyone who saw Falden at Bird, it’s impressive that he’s done it against such a high level of competition, and it hasn’t come without hard work and improvement.
““I’ve improved my IQ, jump shot, defense and I’ve become much more aggressive on both ends of the floor,” Falden said. Coach Myers is a great coach that knows a lot about the game and how to make players better. So far being here at MMA has been a huge success for both me and the team.”
The feeling is mutual for Myers, who believed in Falden from day one and has given him a platform to showcase his unique skill set against some of the best players in the country.
“Charles is a multidimensional and talented scorer. He can score at all three levels getting to the rim, shooting it in the midrange and from deep. He has a great feel for the game and a competitive nature that sets him apart from other scoring guards,” Myers said.
As for the future, Falden hopes that the lessons he’s learned both on and off the court will help prepare him to play at the next level. While he’s still somewhat under the radar, he believes that the right program will come around if he’s patient and continues to work on his game.
“I just want to find a good program, one that fits me well, somewhere I can play early and get a great education.”
Whatever program ends up landing Falden next season will get an absolute steal, and you better believe he’ll score a lot of points for whoever that is.