Thankful For The Seniors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the week of Thanksgiving! It's a time to remember all that we are thankful for. I get to cover literally thousands of athletes from across the country and in doing so, I've come across so many that I'm thankful for. I'm going to narrow a list of hundreds down to just a few examples and give you some basketball related reasons why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1437538"],"_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-6745c61feb8cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He came out to one of my open runs just before his high school career began. I heard all the "why nots" as far as his game. Too small. Not strong enough. Can't get shots up in traffic. Yeah, none of that was ever accurate. I love watching and seeing where he's taken his game. Stone is one of the slickest lead guards in the midwest and currently ranked as the #2 senior in the state. I'm so lucky to have watched him hush the doubters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1587857"],"_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-6745c61feb938"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There's some players that just really make you want to see them succeed. Calvert is that type of player. He approaches practices, camps and games with poise and class. Calvert is one of the most respectful and well mannered athletes I've ever come across. And the young man can play ball and run the point as well. He's an excellent decision maker with the ball. The Olivet program got a great one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1587852"],"_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-6745c61feb982"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've never met a person with the last name of Downs that I haven't thought the world of. [player_tooltip player_id='1587852' first='Nicholas' last='Downs'] certainly continued that tradition. First of all, the hoops. Downs brings a ton of energy to the floor and takes pride in his defense. He's greatly improved as an all around athlete as well. Now the good stuff. If a college coach wants a locker room asset, this is your guy. Downs is a great student and an amazing person that will be a great representation of your program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1440242"],"_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-6745c61feb9c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McKinney has been a shining example of betting on yourself. He's never let the process bring him down and he's continued to put in the work and improve his game. It's always a joy to watch a young man that puts we over me. McKinney is willing to do the things and play the roles that may not show up in the stat sheet. He does these things, all while carrying what I believe is next level talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2353081"],"_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-6745c61feba0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the greatest parts of this job are seeing young men from families that I've known for a long time, step up and be incredibly successful in the game of basketball. Seiler is a name I've known for my entire life and I've had the chance to see TJ shine. He's a terrific all around athlete with strength and shiftiness. Seiler isn't just a great basketball player, but a legit football prospect as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->