Prospect Introduction: Deebo Coleman (2021)
Up at West Nassau, freshman guard Deebo Coleman is lighting it up.
The 6’4″, 175-pound 2021 point guard is averaging a team-best 23.1 PPG which includes two 30-point outings, a career-best 31 point night in a win over Stanton on Dec. 13. His lowest output came on Dec. 2 with 15 points.
Coleman holds offers from Campbell, Georgia Tech and Tennessee already. He’s a dual-sport athlete who shined this season at safety.
In talking about his freshman campaign on the basketball court, he says he’s learned that every team they play schemes their defenses to keep the ball out of his hands and minimize his touches.
“It’s like they know I’m a freshman and hope that I will make young mistakes or not work hard if they double team or run a box and one defense the whole game,” Coleman told Prep Hoops Florida. “I’ve been most proud of the support from my teammates and others in the community. My teammates challenge me every day in practice by doing things to rattle me or get under my skin.”
It hasn’t gone the Warriors way this season as they sit at 6-14 overall and 1-4 in Class 5A-District 3. However, Coleman still thinks there is hope for his young group.
“I’m expecting us to surprise a lot of teams once we get towards the end of the season and move into the playoffs,” he said. “Guys are settling more into their roles and understanding the things needed for us to squeeze out wins.”
This past summer Coleman played up with the 9th grade Team Penny group on the EYBL circuit as an 8th grader.
“I had the opportunity to be able to start on a team that had some of the best players in the Memphis area,” he said. “Also, I got to compete against some of the best competition in the country just about every weekend. We ended our season by winning the 2017 9th grade AAU National Championship and the Peachtree Invitational Tournament Championship in Augusta, Ga. the summer finale for Nike based teams.”
Coleman says he’s still growing physically and mentally, but he pointed to his defense, attack at the rim and ability to get to the free throw line as things that have improved over the last year.
In terms of his biggest strengths, he called those his high basketball IQ, length for his position, the ability to knock down shots, play defense and rebound.
“As I get stronger, I want to be to able to finish around the basket through contact and continue to improve my quickness and ball handling and always trying to become a better defender,” Coleman said.
Coleman is a special athlete who is as humble as they come. West Nassau is working through the kinks this season, but if they can develop guys around him, then they’ll be in good hands. He’s in for a big summer once again as he’s proven already as a freshman that he is a player to watch at all times.