Player Profile: Stevie Schlabach (2019/Tigard HS/Team Fly)
As the basketball calendar moves from the end of most high school summer leagues to the July aau viewing period, we caught up with talented 2019 wing Stevie Schlabach from Tigard HS and Team Fly.
After losing arguably their two best returning players to transfer, expectations weren’t high for Tigard heading in to the 2016-17 season, but behind the steady play of Schlabach & others, the Tigers exceeded expectations and finished 2nd in the always tough Three Rivers League. Their season ended one game short of the state tournament in a narrow defeat to Westview. Along the way, Schlabach averaged 16 points & 4 rebounds per game while shooting the ball at a high clip from the field and free throw line. “Everyone thought we would struggle after the transfers, but we worked really hard in practice and had a great season. A personal highlight was being recognized first team all league.”
Schlabach is playing up with Team Fly 17U this season and his team played well in several northwest events during April & May. “AAU has been a good experience so far for me. I’m enjoying the challenge of playing against older players and we have a good group of guys who are unselfish and share the ball really well.” When it comes to potential college options, I’m really going to be looking for a program that I will fit in well with. The coach, my future teammates, and the culture they have will be important in my choice. I’m not sure what I want to study yet, so at some point that will become a factor too.” The 6’3 wing has recently started hearing from Big Sky power Eastern Washington after performing well at their recent Elite Camp. “I was one of only 35 players invited and I thought that I played well and did some things that impressed their coaches.” When asked to evaluate his own game, Schlabach was really honest in his assessment. “I’m a slasher, and think that I’m really good at attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. I shoot the ball well from the three point line (43% during the season), but most of my shots come in the paint. I need to continue to work on my mid range game because I’m a lot taller than most wings and it should be easier for me to get my shot off in those situations. I also need to keep working on getting quicker so that I can guard really fast wings.”
PREP HOOPS EVALUATION:
Stevie Schlabach is the #2 ranked player in our 2019 class rankings. He has a well developed offensive game and can score at all three levels, although he needs to continue to work on his midrange game. He has a high basketball iq and has a good feel for how to draw contact and get to the line, where he shoots at a high clip. He’s a willing passer, who moves well without the ball. Needs to continue his foot speed, can struggle defending elite wings. Solid team defender.