Prospect Spotlight: Tavon Newman (2019)
This summer, there’s been more player movement than we’ve seen in the Baltimore area for high school hoops. A few transfers have made a big splash as they move conferences to help better their chances with grades, championship opportunities, or exposure for recruiting purposes. For Tavon Newman, the decision to transfer from Frederick Douglass High School to Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School (Mervo) was an easy decision.
“I thought Coach [Deron] Harding was a good fit for me,” Newman told PrepHoops. “I knew he could help me more with my game.”
The 6’6 wing is very raw in terms of overall development, but this past summer he’s been one of the most improved under-the-radar players I’ve seen. In early June Newman was playing in the St. Paul’s Summer League with his new team. While he had some adjustments to make playing with new guys, it was also easy to tell he had a ton of potential if he really put in the work for the next few months.
Two weeks ago I saw Newman again. This time at the Pride of Maryland Team Camp. He looked much more confident in his ability and decision making, as did his team. What was most surprising was his ability to knock down three’s. With his size and length, he depicts a similar build to Brandon Ingram. And though he still has a ways to go until his game becomes as smooth as Ingram’s, he showed that he can be an outside threat like Ingram was at Duke.
Newman put together a couple games with three or more three’s, but he still isn’t comfortable with his progress.
“My jumpshot is there, but it’s not perfect. I want to work on my handles too so I can make plays off the dribble,” Newman claimed.
I caught up with his coach and he credited the Mervo alumni coming into the gym and roughing up his players during 5-on-5 sessions. It has played a big role in Newman’s development as well. Coach Harding also is making sure to get his team in the weight room more often throughout the summer. For Newman, he’s extremely skinny, so any muscle weight will only help him gain more confidence out on the floor.
His length is an obvious factor in impacting the defensive side of the ball as well. Mervo has played a lot of zone defense this summer, and Newman and his twin [Davon] make up a very challenging backline with massive wingspans. They’re able to contest or block almost any shot that is within their area.
As a team, Mervo will look to bounce back after struggling last season in a very tough Baltimore City league. If Newman can keep developing at this rate, he’ll see his team’s record improve and his name be tossed around in plenty of conversations.