Club 51 AAU Preview

All spring we will be featuring AAU programs and their coaches to help set the landscape for the AAU summer to come. Terrance Hillsman founded and coaches Club 51. After earning a Top 15 @PrepHoopsTN Team Ranking most of last season at the 15u level, they are ready to compete in the 16u division. <h2>Club 51 16u</h2> In his fifth year, Club 51 Founder and Head Coach Terrance Hillsman added a few new players. The team's identity remains gritty and guard-driven. Elijah Njie has a chance to be a breakout player this summer and Coach Hillsman's son Chris is steady and unflappable as a pass-first point guard. "All of my guys have a 2.8 GPA or better. I don't pick up guys that are lower than that. Some people just don't care, but I do. Basketball is a privilege. You are still a student before anything else." FRONTCOURT: The frontcourt consists of Caleb Wilson, Grady McPherson, Montrel Walker, and occasionally Josh Keck works low. "(Caleb Wilson)" can play down low because of his length," said Coach Hillsman. "He kind of has that smaller frame. The biggest thing for Caleb is getting his body in condition so he can take that pounding. We got him a meal plan. He already has the frame because he is long. We have changed his shot, so he is shooting it a lot better." Coach Hillsman likes Grady at 6-foot-4 and Josh Keck "can play the wing or the frontcourt. He got taller over the school year. He can light it up. I saw him last year in Missouri...he hit 17 straight." [caption id="attachment_587459" align="alignright" width="300"] Caleb Wilson is growing into his body, but Coach Hillsman wants to add more good weight still.[/caption] BACKCOURT: Starters Elijah Njie and Chris Hillsman missed last week with minor injuries, but provide continuity from last season. is the mainstay. Elijah Njie (PrepHoopsTN #151) is due for a ranking bump after a strong high school season at Ezell-Harding High. "He is one of those ones that a lot of people came after," said Coach Hillsman. "He has a set of hands. When you go and torch JPII for over 30 pounds you are good." Coach Hillsman thinks very highly of Njie. "He is phenomenal. I think his dad is around 6-2 or 6-3. If he gets to that point, there are not going to be many people that can stop him. Every Thursday I bring in my older group, my son and kids that went to college, I bring in the older group to play against them. He had Desmond (Cambridge) on skates. This is D1 Brown Freshman of the Year. Desmond said, 'Coach, he is for real.' A year ago Elijah Njie appeared to be an incredibly athletic wing, but he didn't have the makeup or style of a point guard. Coach Hillsman asserted that that is not a concern to him. "Elijah can run the point," said Coach Hillsman. "The biggest thing about him is making that right decision from that point position. He is about two seconds late on that pass. He wants to get better. He takes that and keeps working hard everyday." Chris Hillsman is a throwback pass-first point guard. "He is a true point guard," said Coach Hillsman. "He has been taught most of his life to be. He sees the floor great. It is very hard to get the ball from him. Chris is 5-foot-8." Currently Kadarius Price is the highest ranked PrepHoopsTN prospect on the team, though the 2021 rankings will be adjusted shortly. Kadarius is a wonderful athlete. "Kadarius is a stronger, faster, and leaping wing," said Coach Hillsman. "I sent out his film to a couple coaches. They can't wait until June 15th (to call). He took one guy on the block and turned around and posterized on a guy." Timothy Lark is a backup blazer with some burn from his feet. KEY TO SUCCESS: Cohesion. Coach Hillsman likes his guys when they play as a unit. His key for the team is playing together. "Being unselfish. You have to run plays, how to run lanes, how to understand the game of basketball. Those things beat talent all day long, the fundamentals of it." MOST IMPROVED: Elijah Njie. "I would probably say between Njie and Chris because of what they have done with their bodies. They are bigger and stronger. I am going to give it to Elijah. I can talk about my son all day everyday."   <h2>Full Squad with projected *Starters</h2> <div> *Kadarius Price - Ezell Harding 6'3" *Caleb Wilson - Cane Ridge *Josh Keck - Mt. Juliet Grady McPherson - Sycamore Rahkilon Williams - Station Camp *Chris Hillsman - Ezell Harding *Elijah Njie - Ezell Harding Montrel Walker - Mt. Juliet Christian Timothy Lark - JP II Jaimauri Morris - Ensworth Kenneth Beard - Cane Ridge Elijah Hollins - JP II Arnold Die -- Station Camp   Head Coach: Terrance Hillsman   NEWCOMERS: Arnold Die is an intriguing new piece. "He actually could be a big force if he learns to use his body," said Coach Hillsman. "Once he learns how to move his body..." </div> 'Kilon Williams', Grady McPherson joins after his Sycamore High season. Elijah Hollins was a transfer from Station Camp to JP II.   April 5-7 Franklin, TN at A-game April 12-14 Gatorade Circuit Terre Haute, IN April 26-28 Sweet 16 Atlanta, GA (Live Period Event) May 10-12 Gatorade Circuit Jackson, TN May 31-June 2 Gatorade Circuit Terre Haute, IN July 5-7 Gatorade Finals Lexington, KY July 12-14 either Atl Peach Jam or Louisville, KY(Live Period Event) July 19-21 Louisville, KY(Live Period Event) Club 51 is guided by Coach Hillsman and Coach Hillsman fancies himself a realist with his guys. "I am telling my guys like this, 'You have to work your ass off, if you want to play D1...but if you want to play college ball there are still D2, D3, NAIA and JuCo.'"