Prospect Spotlight: Eric Boone (2018)
From an early age Eric Boone excelled at basketball. While the junior fights his way back from an injury he kept his spirits up by helping a younger brother work on his favored sport. Boone helps his little brother with…
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Continue ReadingFrom an early age Eric Boone excelled at basketball. While the junior fights his way back from an injury he kept his spirits up by helping a younger brother work on his favored sport.
Boone helps his little brother with baseball. Boone has a 12-year old brother that plays baseball and a 10-year old brother interested in basketball. He also has an older brother that played football at Lafayette HS.
Imperative Comeback Year
Eric “The Helper” Boone has fully recovered from his May shoulder surgery, but his time away cost him a pivotal 16u AAU campaign.
He had shoulder surgery in May. He got released in October. He missed the whole AAU season.
“He got injured in November 2015,” said mother Shondale Price. “They didn’t think anything was wrong. They thought it was a bump and bruise.”
Eventually Eric Boone and his family got an MRI, which revealed the severity of the injury.
“He got an MRI and it was a Labrum tear,” said Mrs. Price. “The doctor said it was the worst one he had ever seen. It was torn cartilage in his labrum.”
Significant injuries are more taxing on the emotions of young players, especially because younger bodies tend to fully recover.
“He thought he was done for,” said Mrs. Price. “That he was done for his career. That was a big time (AAU), when college coaches come out.”
Playing injured last winter, Eric Boone was only cleared to play again this most recent October (2016). Thankfully Boone is back and capable of dominating varsity basketball for stretches.
“He is fully healthy,” said Mrs. Price. “To me, I don’t think he is as aggressive as he was at first (before the injury). I am his biggest critic.”
Overcoming the fear of re-injuring can be daunting. Still, Boone is scoring against difficult competition.
Last winter Boone earned Lexington Herald-Leader All-City Honorable Mention. In addition to his regular season practices, Eric Boone occasionally trains with Jaron Brown (former Pitt Panther).
With Bryan Station (9-10), Boone is having an impactful year.
“He has been close to triple-doubles a couple games,” said Boone’s mother Shondale Price.
In a painful January 31st loss to Scott County, Boone scored 15 points. Scott County has at least one, possibly two college basketball prospects (Michael Moreno, Bryce Long).
In his mammoth 17u AAU campaign, Eric Boone intends to run with the Louisville Magic again.
“He has to step up big this season,” said Mrs. Price.