By: Gerroid Doughty
After watching many games and seeing some very good basketball this weekend. I am going to give you the name of the player who summed up the entire weekend for me. For all the Travel Team Hoop Fans out there, this guy does it all. He has a very mature game for his age. He is a rising Junior, class of 2025. The name to put on your radar if you are a college coach is……
2025 6’3” Gordie Balas of Durham Hurricanes & Sanderson HS Raleigh, NC. When I interviewed him, Gordie told me he got off to a slow start in this tournament. A slow start for him was a near triple-double. 9 Points, 12 Rebounds, and 9 Assists in that so-called slow-start game. In the four games, his totals were 20, 9, & 8, 22, 11, & 6, and 24, 5, & 3. Impressive numbers all weekend giving him averages of 19 Points, 9 Rebounds, & 7 Assist per game. Not many players can say that.
Let’s break down how he got those numbers. First and foremost he worked super hard on both ends of the floor. His light grey T-Shirt he wore under his jersey looked black after each game. He was pouring sweat. His mid-range is official. Not just that the guy has many tools in his arsenal. He shot the ball very confidently from long range. Free throws seemed effortless. He caught a few break-a-way dunks. He finished around the rim without and more importantly with contact. Gordie can play the 1 through the 3. Verses a smaller team he may be able to play some stretch 4. If you want someone who checks boxes, he’s your guy. Scoring on all three levels. Check. Heart and Hustle. Check. Quick Release on his shot. Check. Rebounding and Passing the ball. Check. Playing Defense end to end. Check. Not that I got one. But if I did, he’s got my vote for North Carolina Top 80 Camp this fall. College Coaches next tourney go watch this guy. You’ll enjoy it for real.