Season Preview: Paragon Academy – National Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Culture and Identity </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paragon Academy is a prep school where the guys are in class from 8 AM to 1 PM everyday. After school, they roll immediately into a 2 hour practice. They often get additional skill work and lifting in as well at their facility throughout the week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year Paragon has split into two teams, the National Supreme Team, and the Regional Black Team. The National team will be playing on the highly competitive EIBC circuit. Marcus Mooney is the coach of the National team and Jayvon Brown is the coach of the Regional team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the practice that I watched, there was a lot of energy and the guys were moving at game speed. Both coaches hammered the details of the drills. You can tell that they have high standards. The coaches also put pressure on certain guys by making them shoot free throws in the middle of practice. If guys missed, there was running to do. The goal of their practices is to face as much pressure as they would during a game. The other objective of their practice is to teach life lessons. Obviously a lot of their players want to play at the next level. But Coach Marcus and Coach JB want to make sure that they are ready for what life throws at them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Back Court</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1945207"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67072a7933787"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1945207' first='Dominic' last='Rudd'] is an explosive guard who can blow by the defense for a lay-up or dunk. When he drives to the rim, he has a knack for drawing fouls and he's a very reliable free throw shooter. Rudd was also featured in my "Sharp Shooters To Watch" article, and can do damage from behind the 3-point line as well. His top defensive skills are deflecting passes and coming up with blocks. Overall, he is a very intriguing college prospect due to his athleticism and shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2412296"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67072a793382b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2412296' first='Logan' last='Charbonneau'] is a gritty player who hustles every possession. When I saw him play over the spring and summer he also showed me that he can get hot from behind the 3-point line. On the defensive end, he provides good ball pressure and fights for rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1972923"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67072a7933918"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murphy plays with a ton of energy and is one of the faster guys on the Paragon squad. He likes to use his speed to get downhill on offense. But he can also hit 3-pointers and mid-range shots. Defensively, he uses his energy to be a pest and can disrupt passes here and there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1593428"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67072a793398a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1593428' first='Cameron' last='Kiper'] will be running the point position for Paragon Academy. He has some impressive acceleration and uses it to attack the basket. Kiper additionally has some great passing skills and knows how to keep his eyes up as he drives. I also like how he uses his speed on defense to create turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638176"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6707f37a5bdd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson is the other point guard for Paragon and he performs well when his number is called. He also plays high level defense and can get deflections and steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Front Court</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2147726"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67072a79338a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fowler is a dynamic power forward who can do a lot to facilitate the offense. When he plays near the elbows, he uses his size and vision to find guys for open shots. He also has a solid shot himself, and let's it go if it's the right play. Standing at 6'6, he will also be one of Paragon's primary rim-protectors this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ziare Smith ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Paragon Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67072a7933a86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ziare Smith will play in the paint for Paragon Academy this season. The 6'7 forward is known for rebounding and he's a high flyer as well. If he can run the floor well for Paragon, he'll surely have some slam dunks and big blocks this season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rounding out the roster</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan Findley - SF/PF</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chance Singleton - SG/SF</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christian Baltiterrez - SG/SF</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zaccheus Bowen - PG/SF</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chris Littles - PG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1704338' first='Trystan' last='Borders'] - CG - Out until June, rehabbing his knee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Season Outlook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The National team has a very difficult schedule this year. They will play some of the top prep schools in the nation, including AJ Dybantsa's Utah Prep team. If they want to have a winning season, they will need to gel on the court and get consistent production from their scorers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Analysis </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From a recruiting standpoint, Paragon Academy's National team has a lot of talent to look at. Many of their guys can dunk, shoot, and play with heart. But in order for some of these guys to be recruited, they will need to learn to play unselfishly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->