Prospect Watch: Trent McBride (2019)
Class of 2019 forward Trent McBride stands tall among the Class 1 field in the state of Missouri.
The 6’7″ McBride has been a dominant force for Eminence High from his freshman year. He will enter his senior year as a state champion and Player of the Year after leading the Redwings to the Class 1 state title in 2018.
McBride had 23 points and 13 rebounds in the Redwings’ 79-72 victory over defending state champion Walnut Grove in the state championship game. He averaged 18.5 points, 11 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 blocks while shooting 66 percent from the field during the 2018 season while leading a team that has been playing together since grade school.
“This year was a dream season,” McBride said. “Those guys were my best friends since kindergarten, so to be able to accomplish our goal together was an amazing feeling.”
A versatile big with an excellent overall skill set, McBride has already received an offer from College of the Ozarks. He has also received recruiting interest from a number of Division II schools such as Drury, Central Missouri, Rockhurst, Southwest Baptist and Harding plus NAIA school Evangel.
McBride has been playing summer basketball with the Storm Elite 17U team. They will be in St. Louis this weekend to play in the Adidas Three Stripes Alliance at Lindenwood University.
At 6’7″ McBride usually has a big size advantage at the small school level, but his fundamental skill set is also what sets him apart as a standout player. He has excellent moves in the low post, plus he has the ability to step out and knock down jumpers at the high post. He is also a very unselfish player who looks to find the open man. He is an excellent passer out of double teams.
“I think my size helps in a variety of ways,” he said. “My athleticism is not the best, but I think it helps me with passing. I try to find the open man and being able to see over the defense is a big advantage for me. I’ve worked hard on developing a fundamental skill set that lets me make up for my lack of athleticism.”
McBride’s major goals for the upcoming season are to become a better 3-point shooter and help lead his team to another state championship.
“I’m really trying to expand my game and make myself a legitimate threat all over the court and not just inside,” he said. “I hope to repeat as state champs. We graduate a couple of good players from last year, but we return the bulk of our team along with a couple of good newcomers.”
(Trent McBride photo courtesy of SWMO Basketball)