DeMatha: Team Preview
DeMatha is a traditional national basketball powerhouse. Legendary coach Morgan Wootten built up an empire and current head coach Mike Jones has only continued it. The Stags are in a position to have a great season, led by seniors Ryan Allen and DJ Harvey. They have a ton of size and depth that will help them be one of the best teams in the nation. Last year they fell short in the WCAC Championship game, and when I asked the players what they needed to do get back there and finish the job, they told me that they needed to cut the “mental mistakes” and “use their size, strength and depth against opponents who don’t have what we have.” The stags have everything a team needs to be successful–an exceptional coach, leadership, shooters to space the floor, bigs to rebound and last but not least, players who buy into the system.
Players to watch
DJ Harvey (Class of 2017, Notre Dame)
Harvey is the leader of this team. He has seniority, experience, the skills and the temperament. Harvey has NBA size and length for a shooting guard, which makes him so effective on both sides of the ball. He also has a great handle and is very shifty with the ball. His pull up jumper also makes the defender have to come out and guard him, which makes him a matchup nightmare.
Fun fact: Harvey’s favorite video games are NBA2k and Assassins creed.
Ryan Allen (Class of 2017, Delaware)
Ryan Allen is an absolute assassin of a shooter, no other way to describe it. He gets tons of buckets and tough ones at that. Although he is kind of small for a guard, his elevation on his jump shot more than makes up for it. Allen is also very built, which allows him to bully bigger opponents with his strength. Look for him to be one of the best scorers in the WCAC this year.
Fun Fact: Allen’s claim to fame, is that he’s the best NBA2k player on the team. Also, to honor his late great grandfather, who’s name is written on the sole of his shoe, prior to the start of each game, he touches the sole of his shoe, points to the sky, and dedicates the game to him.
Justin Moore (Class of 2019, Uncommitted)
Moore is a very gritty and tough guard. He can score the basketball in many different ways. In some drills, he hit multiple deep jumpers off the dribble, and in others he overpowered bigger and older opponents for inside buckets. He is also a scrappy defender and went head to head with Harvey and Allen the entire workout. Moore is a great two-way player and definitely a name to remember.
Fun Fact: Before every game Moore listens to Lil Uzi Vert and Shy Glizzy.
John McRae (Class of 2017, Uncommitted)
I didn’t know who John McRae was before the workout, but I sure did after. The athletic wingman was getting buckets the entire workout. He was also doing it in a variety of ways, he had a bunch of eye opening dunks, and pull up jumpers from everywhere. McRae is uncommitted at the moment, but if I were a college coach, I would love to have him. He plays both sides of the game hard, and gives it his all in every drill.
Also, I would definitely also keep an eye on Freshman Center Hunter Dickinson. He is already 6’11” and not done growing. He is very polished inside and can even step out and hit the mid range jump shot with ease. It will be hard for him to make an impact as a freshman, but he is definitely a name to remember.
I really wanted to thank Coach Mike Jones and the rest of his staff for having me out there today. DeMatha is a special place, steeped in basketball history. This team will live up to the legacy and I look forward to following your success this season.