Introducing Konata Werts (2021)

Andrew Force August 25, 2017 @ 01:29 AM

The #1 player in the state of Tennessee, Darius Garland, is months away from his final high school season. Brentwood Academy has another young starlet ready to take his place though. Konata Werts (Brentwood Academy) has a chance to play varsity as a freshman and possibly earn meaningful minutes alongside the reigning Mr. Basketball Garland. Take a journey back through the basketball background of Konata Werts. "We moved from Ohio nine years ago to Tennessee," said Konata's father Kalonji Werts. "He has been in the gym since he was basically about three or four. He started playing maybe around five or six. He played with Antonio Gates (NFL-Retired) and Trevor Huffman (Kent State). John Edwards (Indiana Pacer in 2004-2005). He has been in the gym with them since he was young, since he was really young." Konata Werts has been at Brentwood Academy since sixth grade. "Konata's godbrother played for Xavier," said Mr. Werts. "He is playing for UT-C right now. His name is Makinde London." London began his career with Xavier University, but will be a junior this winter with new Chattanooga Head Coach Lamont Paris. "We did a camp with Xavier and we did one with UTC, but that is just because my godson played there," said Mr. Werts. Konata Werts grew up with Makinde, per Mr. Werts. London played three years at Summit High School (south of Nashville). "I have been training those two together since Makinde was, I think 10, maybe 11 years old," said Mr. Werts. "My son gets a lot of stuff from Makinde."

Skills

With Elite AAU Konata played anywhere on the perimeter. His excellent shooting touch enables him to operate as a shooting guard at 14u and possibly this winter. But Mr. Werts projects him as "definitely a point guard. He is a 1-2 combo, but he can control the floor and he will hit the shot when he is open. He is real unselfish, but if you need him to score 25 or 30 he will do it." With Elite 14u, Konata Werts ran with Kobe Tibbs (Wilson Central) and Isaiah Farrior (Clarksville Northwest). They are both certain to be solid high school players. They were also both killer slashers at the 14u level. When Konata is asked to score more, he can. Admitting he is obviously biased, Konata's father Kalonji Werts raves about the young one's game. "He is probably one of the best dribblers at his age and he has one of the best three-pointers at his age," said Mr. Werts. "I don't know all the players in the country, but the people we face...there are a couple kids on his team that can shoot really well, but he can dribble the ball lights-out and shoot the balls lights-out." Early August, Werts bounded up the floor against some tough BMaze Elite defenders. He was a steadying influence on a blitzing, gambling backcourt. "They played really, really well together." What is next for Konata Werts? He is invited to numerous camps and showcases. His father intends to take Konata to the Dwight Howard Camp (September 9-10). Beyond that look for his high school debut with Brentwood Academy in the fall. Follow @PrepHoopsTN for the best coverage of high school hoopers in the Volunteer State.