D-1 Nation Real Talk: 2014 W 5'10 Belize Garza of Austin Bowie

Contributing Editor:

Joseph Dean

txambassadorsd1@yahoo.com

D-1 Nation contributing editor Joseph Dean Caught up with 2014 W 5'10 Belize Garza of Bowie High School for this segment of D-1 Nation Real Talk.

What are some of your hobbies outside of basketball?

Track & Field  also riding horses
What's your favorite subject at school?
Math
What music are you listening to before a game?
Rock N Roll/ Muse or ACDC
What college would you like to attend?
Texas or Texas A&M

2014 W 5'10 Belize Garza

Bowie High School

Who's your favorite WNBA player?
Candace Parker
Who is your favorite NBA player?
Tim Duncan
List some goals you've set for this year?
Make Varsity as a freshman
What's the most memorable moment in your high school career?
Dressing up for nerd day
Who do you think will be your toughest match up in district play?
Del Valle

Garza is a very athletic player with loads of next level potential.-Joseph Dean

Jake Kocher of Austin St. Michael's Commits To Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

2011 SG Jake Kocher called me tonight at about 10PM to let me know that he was committing to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the Southland Conference.  Kocher was enjoying his visit while being hosted by Garland Judkins, a fellow Texas D1 Ambassador alum when he made the decision and gave me a call.  He loves the campus, his team mates and he really enjoyed being recruited by Coach Alexander & Head Coach Perry Clark.  Clark and his Staff who came in from out of State quickly understood the need to recruit within Texas &  understand the value of relationships with key summer programs. They now have two of the D1 Ambassadors in the fold. 

2011 SG Jake Kocher (shown below with the Texas D1 Ambassadors) v Memphis Magic

Coach Clark is getting a scoring machine in Kocher.  He had a so so early part of the summer because he spent much of it recovering from a bout with mono.  He really turned it on during the July "live" period and now with an extra 20lbs of muscle (put on with the assistance of my partner TJ Garza of Speed Killz), Kocher is poised for a huge senior season with Coach Mackey Smith's Austin St, Michael's squad. 

The level of basketball in TAPPS has really been on the rise (as I pointed out last year.)  With the recent commitment of San Antonio Antonian's Jonathan Holmes to the Texas Longhorns it illustrates my point.  Guess who was the MVP of that TAPPS District last year?  Yes, it was Jake Kocher, and not Holmes.  He led the City of Austin in scoring with a 29.8 ppg average.

Congratulations to Jake & The Kocher Family!  Coach Max & The D1 Ambassador Family.

He becomes the 8th D1 Ambassador to commit in the early period in the Class of 2011. 

D1 Nation Real Talk: 2013 P 6'6" Wesley Brown of Pflugerville Hendrickson

The D1 Nation caught up with 6'6" F Wesley Brown of Pflugerville Hendrickson for this edition of Real Talk.



What are some of your hobbies outside of basketball?
Writing, Reading, Videography and Swimming
What's your favorite subject in school?
Spanish
What are you listening to on your IPOD before a game?
Trey Songz, Chris Brown and Lil Wayne
Who's your favorite NBA player from Texas?
No one from Texas, but favorite player is Kobe Bryant

2013 F Wesley Brown of Pflugerville Hendrickson (shown below with Texas D1 Ambassadors)

What are some of your goals for this year?

3.5 or above GPA
Make the Varsity Squad
Have a newspaper article about my basketball accomplishments
Who do you model your game after?
Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant
Which colleges are recruiting you hardest?
I've received letters from Arizona, Harvard and Cornell
Who are the 6 best players in the Cen Tex?
Deon Mitchell, Jalen Washington, TJ Williams, Jake Kocher, Mike Hardge and of course, Wesley Brown
What would you do if you won a $1,000,000?
Save it and take care of my family
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
At a top college playing basketball and pursuing a degree in Engineering, minoring in Journalism

What I've been most impressed about with Brown is his attentiveness to being coached, and to learn the craft of being a big man.  With his superior academics he will likely be a high academic candidate, perhaps even Ivy League quality. A hard worker, he's shown tremendous strides in improvement. With hendrickson's lack of heighth he can bring something to the table as a soph, given the opportunity.-Coach Max Ivany



D1 Nation Real Talk: Jalen Washington of Pflugerville Hendrickson

The D1 Nation caught up with 6'4" W Jalen Washington of Pflugerville Hendrickson for this edition of Real Talk.

What are some of your hobbies outside of basketball?
Baseball, video games & chillin' with the girls :-)
What's your favorite subject in school?
English
What are you listening to on your IPOD before a game?
Wacka Flocka & Young Jeezy
Who's your favorite NBA player from Texas?
Kevin Durantula

2011 W Jalen Washington of Pflugerville Hendrickson (shown below with Texas D1 Ambassadors

What are some of your goals for this year?
Make Academic All District
1st Team All State
Win State
Sign an LOI
Who do you model your game after?
Kevin Durant & Chauncey Billups
Which colleges are recruiting you hardest?
Bradley, Mount St Mary's (MD), Wichita State & TCU
Who are the 6 best players in the Cen Tex?
Eric McClellan, Jake Kocher, Deon Mitchell, Jordan Roach, Jaleel Williams, & Me.
What would you do if you won a $1,000,000?
I'd save it until I really needed it.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Having obtained my degree & still hoopin'

At 6'4", Washington plays longer than that.  He can shoot it from the perimeter and is tough to stop when he slashes to the goal from the right side. He's a Missouri Valley caliber wing who needs to have his motor rev a little bit higher on a more regular basis. When that happens, the sky's the limit.-Coach Max Ivany

D1 Nation Real Talk: Eric McClellan of Austin High

I caught up with 2011 G 6'3" Eric "Quick" McClellan of Austin High for this edition of D1 Nation Real Talk.

What are some of your hobbies outside of basketball?

Economics

What music are you listening to before a game?

Rap. Hip hop.

List some goals you've set for this year.

All Cen Tex

Lead Austin High to the playoffs

Win District

Win Academic Awards

What's your most memorable moment in your high school career?

Having a great time with my team mates while winning the Highland Park Classic & the Lake Travis Tournament.

McClellan, shown with the Texas D1 Ambassadors

What's been your "Sports Center" moment?
At a tournament in Phoenix with the Texas D1 Ambassadors and my main man, Coach Max:-) I went baseline on a defender and dunked on him to send the game into overtime.
What college or NBA player do you model your game after?
Derrick Rose & Jon Wall
What are the top 5 colleges recruiting you hardest?
TCU, SMU, Creighton, Western Illinois & Central Connecticut State
List the top 6 players in Austin/San Antonio right now.
Deon Mitchell, Jake Kocher, Jordan Roach, Josiah Monroe, Karim York & Me
If you won a $1,000,000 what would you do with it?
I'd save & invest, then give most of it to charities around the world.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Earning my degree and hopefully still playing basketball

McClellan is an explosive big guard. He's closing in on 6'4". In the halfcourt game he's a better lateral ballhandler than he is north-south but in transition he's deadly.  He's got good court vision and is deadly, finishing way above the rim. Somewhat of a late bloomer, he'll be a steal for a Southland school or any other mid major.  I fully expect him to have a great senior season which will will see his stock soar.-Coach Max Ivany

D1 Nation Sweet 16 Recap: The Rest of the Field

Austin Akins: This is a crew poised to be arguably among the best in the Cen Tex this coming season.  They did lose to a talented Killeen Ellison team by going cold and seeing a 10 point lead evaporate into a 10 point loss. Akins will be lacking in heighth this season, and in depth (as Head Coach David Peavy will only carry 8 men on his varsity).  Fatigue/injuries could become a factor but if the stars line up for the Eagles they'll be carried by their backcourt tandem of 2011 Yolonzo Moore (Hartford) and 2011 WG Malcolm Canada.  With these two guys penetrating to the hole, it will be sure to leave 2011 SG Jeremy Mendez wide open for more than his share of open three pointers.  The wild card for Akins will be super soph Lionel Hollins.  The 2013 6'2" W is super athletic and very strong for a youngster. Coach Peavy shared that he is very coachable and mature for his age.

2011 Malcolm Canada (left) & 2011 Yolonzo Moore (right) will lead Akins Eagles

San Antonio Reagan: How tough was this event?  Reagan has the tools to be a Regional contender, and yet they went 0-2.  It was a great matchup vs Bryan High and then a heartbreaking buzzer beater vs Pflugerville. But all that means nothing as they'll be anchored by two D1 seniors: 2011 PG Tre Demps (Northwestern) & 2011 WG Max Yon (Air Force).  Throw in 2011 P 6'6" Brad Coulter, 2011 Brian Hardy & an intriguing pair of underclassmen in 2013 G Mike Williams who's extremely mature for his age, & 2012 W 6'4" Jack Johnson who looks like a pup.  I had a chance to visit with Johnson who informed me he moved here mid year from Italy.  New Head Coach John Hirst who came over from San Antonio Stevens will not have a bare cupboard anytime soon.  I look for the Rattlers to have a potent bite for quite a while.

2011 D1 commits Max Yon (left) & Tre Demps (right) lead San Antonio Reagan

Austin Westlake:  Not too many schools can graduate a pair of D1 guys (PG Cody Doolin (San Francisco) & 6'9" P Gus Leeper (Arkansas-Little Rock) and be immune to a fall off.  Westlake will be young this year, but they've got a bright future.  Their 2013 class is pretty good.  PG Will Morse will be a 3 year starter, and definitely has the skill set and poise to be a Division One guard.  2013 classmates Patrick Floyd and Vince Deblasio also bring something to the table.  The wildcard will be the health of 2012 P 6'6" Drew Wikelius. When healthy, he brings a nice low post presence, great footwork down low & a knack for being in the right place at the right time on the glass.

2013 PG Will Morse shows his picture perfect jumper with the Texas D1 Ambassadors

Marble Falls: No doubt that Coach Bruce Etheridge will have them playing harder than their two blowout losses showed once the regular season begins.  The Mustangs have a promising freshman in 2014 W 6'3" Garrett Gray.  He's athletic and can get to the rim, playing well above it when he gets there.  2011 P 6'9" Shane Minnick is definitely a sleepr D1 player.  I fully expect his recruiting action to heat up and he'll be a hot commodity in the spring.  He runs the floor extremely well, can handle the rock some, & has that nasty streak that so many Austin/San Antonio guys lack.

2014 W Garrett Gray (left) & 2011 P 6'9" Shane Minnick are the foundation of the Mustangs

Pflugerville Connally: My old buddy (and my son's high school coach) Marshall Sanders can trot out an impressive array of athletes but there's definitely some sorting out to do regarding chemistry issues.  In his defense, he was looking at 15 guys during the Showcase so that affected their continuity. They'll definitely need leadership from Seniors Dion Gaddy & Dadrian Gage.  The best hope may be in the future though as there are two promising freshman in Cougarland.  2014 P 6'4" 250lb Joseph Britton & G Dyshon Riddic could be contributors in their first year in high school. 

2011 Dion Gaddy & 2014 youngster, Joseph "Big Baby" Britton are the present & future of the Connally Coogs

San Marcos: As goes, 2012 G Colin Hart & 2013 W 6'5" Allex Austin, so will go the Rattlers.  A new coach means a fresh start for the boys in purple.  Hart is a tough guard who handles the ball adequately, competes hard and can knock down shot after shot from beyond the arc.  The energy, and athleticicm on the squad is definitely Austin.  The slender high riser likes to finish with authority, can shoot the perimeter shot and also is an above average shot blocker.  As his ballhandling improves, his stock will rise from mid major prospect to the "sky's the limit".

2012 Colin Hart (left) & 2012 high flyer, Allex Austin will anchor the San Marcos Rattlers

 

Austin St. Michael's: The top private school program in the Austin area prides itself with their outstanding record agains tpublic schools over the past couple of years.  This was not their day as they took two swift kicks in the pants from Austin High & Pflugerville.  They showed no desire to defend in this preseason event.  Having said that, they can score with the best of them.  2011 Jake Kocher is the best scorer in the area, bar none.  He led the City of Austin with just a shade under 30 points last year.  Don't expect him to slow down this season.  He's put on about 20 lbs of muscle which is allowing him to finish at an even higher rate in traffic as well as behind the arc.  I expect him to make his decision in the next week as to which D1 school he'll accept his scholarship at.   The Crusaders also have 2011 Adam Whitlock who can flat out fill it up from beyond the arc, and 2011 Austin Burch who can score in bunches as well.

2011 W Adam Whitlock (left) & 2011 SG Jake Kocher (right) of Austin St. Michael's

Austin Waldorf: Waldorf is to be commended as the small private school didn't shy away from the competition.  They got after it hrd in both games, getting leadership from 2011 PG Santiago Paredes who is the straw who stirs their drink.  I was also pleasantly surprised by rawboned 2012 P 6'4" Zachary Rosanova who has packed on muscle during the offseason and has a high revving motor on the boards. Rosanova was also a surprise at the D1 Nation All American Prodigy Camp as he tested out as one of the quickest players in attendance.

2012 P Zachary Rosanova of Austin Waldorf

D1 Ambassadors: A late tournament scratch caused us to put together some kids in the area who were members of the D1 Ambassadors whose high school teams opted not to enter as a group.  The Hyde Park duo of 2011 All State G Brooks Pawsat & 2011 W 6'7" Austin Jenkins could have the Panthers getting their swag on for private school bragging rights when they face St. Michael's later on this fall.  Pawsat can fill it up, and hen Jenkins has his focus he's a D1 talent.  2013 G 6'3" Rasmus Bach of Austin Anderson continues to impress as he just keeps getting better and better.  He continues to move up the ranks of the 2013 Class.  2013 G Dylan Larson of New Braunfels will be part of a tough Unicorns squad this year.  He can shoot it, handle it and is fearless in going to the rack.

The Hyde Park duo of 2011 W Austin Jenkins & 2011 G Brooks Pawsat could have a banner year

2013 G Dylan Larson (left) of New Braunfels & 2013 G Rasmus Bach (right) of Austin Anderson



D1 Nation Real Talk: 2013 G Darian Bostic of Pflugerville

I caught up with 2013 G Darian Bostic of Pflugerville for this edition of Real Talk

What are some of your hobbies outside of basketball?

Research and the study of animals
What’s your favorite subject at school?
Science
What music are you listening to before a game?
Rap
Who’s your favorite NBA player from Texas?
I don’t have one
List some goals you’ve set for this year.
To get straight A’s
What’s the most memorable moment in your high school career?
Our freshman team went undefeated and were District champions

2013 G Darian Bost of Pflugerville, shown below at Max Ivany's All American Prodigy Camp

What’s been your best “Sports Center” moment?
Made 15 free throws in one game
What college or NBA player do you model your game after?
Stephen Curry and Derrick Rose
If you won a $1,000,000 what would you do with it?
Take care of my family
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Attending college and playing college basketball

Bostic is part of Pflugerville's outrageously talented 2013 class. He'll get plenty of reps on JV this year in preparation for his varsity career.  He's got a nice shot and is improving his ability to penetrate & get to the basket.  He's got great basketball genes as Uncle Herb Bostic started for Michigan State & his Aunt is in the Indiana Hooisers Hall of Fame. He's one to watch.-Coach Max Ivany

D1 Nation Coaches Corner: Coach Brian Young of Kerrville Tivy

The D1 Nation caught up with Coach Brian Young of Kerrville Tivy for this edition of Coaches Corner.

What's your alma mater?

Texas Lutheran University

How long have you been a high school coach?

24 years.

What inspired you to become a coach?

To stay connected to the game.

What's your favorite food?

Mexican

Who are going to be your toughest opponents this year?

They'll all have their strengths

What's the most difficult aspect of high school coaching?

Parents with unrealistic expectations.

Who is your favorite college coach?

Coach K (Duke)

Coach Brian Young of Kerrville Tivy

What's your definition of a good coach?

Someone who gets student athletes to get more out of themselves than they believe is in them.

If you weren't a coach, what would you be?

Unemployed

What music's playing on your IPOD before a game?

None

Who's the best player you ever coached?

Too many to list.

What are your goals for this season?

To win one game at a time, as many as we can & build momentum heading into the playoffs.

What you see is what you get with Coach Young.  He's a no nonsense, old school coach who teaches tough, physical basketball. He's got a State Championship on his resume'. He's the kind of guy who teaches character, and increases the capacity of each player's work ethic.-Coach Max Ivany

D1 Nation Real Talk: 2011 SG Cole Martinez of San Antonio Central Catholic

Coach Max Ivany of the D1 Nation caught up with 2011 SG Cole Martinez of San Antonio Central Catholic for some Real Talk.

What are some of your hobbies outside of basketball?

Golfing and coaching
What’s your favorite subject at school?
Math
Who are you listening to on your IPOD before a game?
Jay-Z
Who’s your favorite NBA player from Texas?
Deron Williams
List some goals you’ve set for this year.
Win state and improve my game from last year
What’s the most memorable moment in your high school career?
Scoring 38 against a district opponent
What’s been your best “Sports Center” moment?
Game winning 3 to win consolation at Alamo Heights tourney
What college or NBA player do you model your game after?
Stephen Curry, JJ Reddick, Kevin Durant

2011 SG Cole Martinez of San Antonio Central Catholic

Who are the top 5 colleges recruiting you the hardest?
Southern Arkansas, North Texas, UTSA, SMU, St. Mary’s
List the Top 6 players in Austin/San Antonio right now.
Jonathan Holmes, Jake Kocher, Deon Mitchell, Eric McClellan, Jalen Washington, Max Yon
If you won a $1,000,000 what would you do with it?
Give money back to my family, my school, and save the rest
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Playing basketball somewhere, and if not coaching

Martinez shoots the ball as anybody in the region.  He's right there with Austin St. Michael's Jake Kocher & Pflugerville's Deon Mitchell (Northern Iowa). He currently has an offer from Southern Arkansas (D-II) but as he continues working hard on his ball handling and strength should see D1 opportunities come his way. He's a sleeper.-Coach Max Ivany

New Orleans D1 Ambassadors Duo Are Off The Board

The New Orleans D1 Ambassadors Elite made their debut this past spring in Houston at Jimmy Hicks Ice Breaker. Despite being undermanned and travel weary when they hit H Town, a blind man could see that this was a talented crew of 2011/2012 players. In the last week two of those guys have made their decision as to where they'll attend school.

2011 F 6'10" Jernard Jarrou of New Orleans McDonough 35

2011 F 6'10" Jernard Jarrou of New Orleans McDonough 35 committed to the Washington Huskies. Only a few days prior he'd jumped the gun and verballed to Virginia Commonwealth, but then decided to take a trip to the Pacific Northwest. In many ways, Jarrou reminds me of former D1 Ambassador John Henson. He's got the long, thin frame bornse as result of sprouting up from 6'5" to 6'10" this past year a la Henson's late growth spurt. Jarrou still handles the ball well, shoots it comfortably from beyond the arc & swats everything that is remotely near him on the defensive end of the court. Lorenzo Romar got a good one in Jarrou, a future pro.

2011 F 6'7" Trevante Drye of Baton Rouge Glen Oaks

2011 F 6'7" Trevante Drye, is one of the classiest kids to ever wear a D1 Ambassadors uniform (he actually played for Texas D1 as a soph, prior to our stand alone team this year out of New Orleans). Last night Tre committed to Tulane University in Conference USA, picking the Wave over SMU, and UNC-Charlotte among others. An excellent student in addition to being a very good basketball player, Drye is extremely expolsive around the basket and out to about 12 feet. He rebounds like a demon and despite being a nice young man, he has a nasty streak under the boards which makes him deadly. He's the son of former LSU player Louis Earl and nephew to McDonald's All American (LSU & Kansas legend) Lester Earl. Follow the link below to the Advocate and you'll see that his Mom was the inspiration in his life.


http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/99536534.html?showAll=y&c=y


Congratulation to the Jarrou & Drye Families. Coach Max