Development of a player is not on the HS coach. Most developed players have trainers. When you see videos of players like Paige or Azzi putting up shots and working out, do you think that is with their HS teams? Many HS coaches are teachers and don’t have the time to develop individual players in the 1 to 2 hour TEAM practices during the week.
I'd bet my turban and cape on it, and feel real good about it!!I'd say there's a fair chance Ms. Patterson may attempt a dunk this coming season..........I think Geno once said, if you're going to dunk you just better make it.......
I have to disagree with that at least partially. The high school is at least partially responsible for the development of a players. Even if it is only a few hours per week the HS has a responsibility to maximize those hours for the player's development especially if those players have the potential to play at the next level. Additionally, not everyone has the financial means as Azzi and Paige did to invest in personal trainers or many AAU & or travel teams.
Disagree all you want. Times have changed.
In case you missed it.............here it is.
She did it against Montana State on March 18, 2022. Belibi has been dunking basketballs in regulation games for years. No big deal. 
I don't know of a high school player with D1 potential in the past ten years in NJ that hasn't worked with a trainer.............many of the better trainers will take on kids for little or no money if they are really good because they attract other players to train.........Tiny Green the most respected of all basketball trainers in NJ will never turn down a player if they don't have the means to pay.......he's trained hundreds of players that have gone on to play college ball...,...high school coaches these days tend to spend the bulk of their time working on set offenses and defenses as opposed to individual skills......
While I mostly agree with this point, I don't believe a majority of HS coaches are capable of providing high level skills training for the kids with higher aptitudes for BB. A lot of them don't know a drop step from a dance step. Pretty much all of the athletically gifted kids know by Jr. high that they're just better than the other kids and the ones who have the inner drive to be really good find a way to get there. Unlike Fudd and Sarah Strong '24, 99% of the kids don't have that built in family coaching available but the hungry ones seek it out. Access to a good trainer is obviously a good way to go but it can be done the way we did it before trainers. Watch the best players, learn, and experiment in the gym for hours against other good players.
Exactly. The highly motivated kids will put down their phones and find a way.
From the looks of her social media it’s either Texas or Arizona
Damn....another big going elsewhere..
Her HS point guard is already committed to UCLA.
I think you've hit it pretty close. I see Watkins as our next Saxon. Maybe a slight bit more athletic - very slight. I guess that makes her a 2 under your framework. Belibi is a good comparison but Watkins may have an edge as a defender.
I don't know that you, @Charliebball , @Mdoggie and I are that far apart on this. Yes the vast majority of HS kids aspiring to the next level have trainers. Some very good trainers out there and some looking to line their pockets as well. Yes the vast majority of HS coaches aren't worth a damn as far as preparing players to get to the next level. Those are two very broad statements that reflect most of reality. I'm speaking of what should be not what is and I'm also sticking up for some very good high school coaches who do a very good job of preparing the kids for the next level-including my daughter. Do you seriously mean to tell me that Paige's HS coach didn't have anything to do with how prepared she was to come to UCONN and be NPOY? @Mdoggie is right it shouldn't be on the HS coach but when that's all you have-some kids and HS coaches make that work also.
I’m sure he did as I’m told he was an excellent coach. However I don’t think he had anything to do with her skill set. Maybe he helped her in reading the game, how to be a coach on the court, how to be a great teammate. More mental than anything else. She arrived at high school with a great skill set that just needed to mature with time.
I think high school coaches can help to make their players better teammates, better defenders, better rebounders and to run their sets properly..........they usually don't provide much help when it comes to specific ball handling or shooting skills..........that's where the trainers come in........that's pretty much the way it is for most skill sports these days......
That’s why I said “a lot of” not “all”. Bueckers’ HS coach was excellent and there are good ones spread around the country. It’s just that they’re in the minority. And some do a good job of motivating and explaining the strategic parts of the game but aren’t able to demonstrate and coach the ball skills, shooting mechanics, and footwork needed to play at a high college level. Those are the things the kids need to get out and find if their HS coach can’t provide them. The HS coach could possibly help them in that search.
