The Path of Espinoza
Adrian Espinoza (2017) is blazing an unfamiliar trail.
Truly a global game, basketball attracts and produces wildly different style from wonderfully diverse backgrounds. Today a Venezuelan center, who spent a year prepping in Memphis decided to continue the next two years in Fort Myers, Florida.
https://twitter.com/AEspinoza24M/status/892800890628911111
Dreams lead us funny places, following circuitous paths. Florida SouthWestern State College (JuCo) will be Adrian’s next home.
“He completed his post-grad year with me,” said Tennessee Prep Academy Head Coach Harold Rayford. “Walked out of here with 5-6 D1 offers. Couldn’t get ACT high enough to qualify.”
By all accounts Espinoza is a smart enough guy, but couldn’t get his test score where he wanted it.
“He is carrying a 3.3 GPA, but being that is an international guy..he is from Venezuela,” said Coach Rayford trailing off.
Now Espinoza will need to attend junior college for two years before hopefully landing at a high major program. Coach Rayford scouted and recruited Espinoza ardently a year ago.
“Everybody needs size,” said Coach Rayford. “When you are looking at the big kids they are bouncing from one school to other. It was a no-brainer to get him with the understanding that he would playing everyday in practice against Chris Odom (Georgetown).”
Practice Challenges
Coach Rayford’s pitch to Espinoza was development. Of course, all young players need to be challenged. Coach Rayford believes iron sharpens iron and saw the pitting of Espinoza and other Tennessee Prep bigs against each other as integral.
“The good thing about it…we had Chris Odom at 7-foot-3,” said Coach Rayford. “We had Reggie Taylor, now at Independent junior college. Adrian and Reggie used to battle in practice every day too. We didn’t have that traditional prep school team. We recruit by position and size.”
Evaluation
Adrian Espinoza is a talented, indisputably 6-foot-11 post player. He was trained as a back to the basket guy and will develop as such. You can watch some 2016-2017 team highlights to get a feel for his style of play.
Espinoza was a big part of the Tennessee Prep Academy’s ascendance in the past winter. They battled tough teams on the GrindSession circuit and his post play was needed.
“He bangs,” said Coach Rayford. “He is aggressive. High motor. He was learning under William Bedford. I recruited him like hell to get him here, just because we had Chris Sodom at Georgetown. They had a lot of good battles together.”
Espinoza will need to add upper body strength, but his feet hint at a high ceiling. He implements more and more post moves and the year under Coach Bedford helped this particular aspect.
Keep tuned to @PrepHoopsTN as Tennessee Prep Academy is on the cusp of bringing in two more game-changing recruits in the coming days.