Joel Berry II Interview

Joel Berry II is one of the top high school point guards in the country and will be playing his college ball at the University of North Carolina next season. The 6’0” Berry is ranked #17 by ESPN and recently competed in the McDonald’s All-American and Nike Hoop Summit games. He also finished his high school season at Lake Highland (FL) as a back to back state champion and became the first player to win the state’s Mr. Basketball award for three consecutive years.

How did the high school season go for you?

It was pretty good. It was a good way to go out winning my second (championship) in a row. We had some doubts at the beginning of the season because it was a new team. Our changing point was when we played Grayson Allen’s team down in Port Charlotte. We lost by like twenty-something, but it was a good loss. Even though we lost, we realized we could compete with high level players like Grayson. After that we didn’t lose a game from December to the end of the season.

During the high school season, especially at the City of Palms it looked like you started incorporating the floater into your game?

Yeah, going into the next level you aren’t going to be able to get all the way into the lane. Coming off the screen I normally pull-up for the jump shot, but when I came off the screens (against Taft) I felt like I could throw the floater. I felt with the pull-up it’s more of a slow shot and they might have blocked that, but with the floater you don’t really know when that is coming and it’s really fast. They had a lot of athletes so I tried to use the floater some more. You know, the floater is in my game, but that is something I want to use more at the next level.

In the McDonald’s practices you were matched up with Tyler Ulis and a little bit with Emmanuel Mudiay. How do you think it went?

I look at this experience as one that a lot of people don’t get. Every single play you are going against high caliber players and a high caliber defense. I love being here, sometimes I might make a mistake but it’s all part of the learning experience. I’ve just been having fun hanging with the guys, and at the same time it’s competitive. We are just having fun and raising money for the McDonald’s program.

How has the McDonald’s experience been off the court?

That was a great experience. That was my first time working with kids with disabilities or kids with illnesses that are deadly. It was a great experience and you see how that impacts the children when they have that smile on their face.  I just love doing stuff like that. Sometimes I don’t like doing it because I feel bad for the child and just want to be able to do something about it, but I don’t know the cure for all that. Just bringing a smile to their face though has been great. I’ve been doing research on how a feeling can heal someone mentally and physically at times. If those kids can smile every day like that hopefully it can heal them in a small way.

What are your expectations for next year at UNC?

I think there are a lot of high expectations with the recruiting class coming in and people are expecting a lot. We can’t let that get to us, but I just want to come in and be like a sponge. Just soak up everything I can and learn the system and everything. I think we have the team to make it to the national championship. You know, we have Marcus Paige coming back. Nate Britt is a great player. With the three incoming freshmen, along with Brice, Kennedy, Meeks, and Hicks, well we will have a lot of talent. We just want to go in and bond together and use our talent to the best of our abilities. I think we will be able to compete for a national championship. 

It seems like you, Theo, and Justin are all pretty close and there is a lot of interaction with the current Tar Heel players. How do you think it will be joining that group?

Yes sir, I’ve been up there for a few visits and I actually played against Marcus in the EYBL circuit when I was in 9^th or 10^th grade. We’ve known each other and I’ve been able to get to know some of the other guys on my visits so I think we already have a good bond and just looking to continue that when I get up there.

When will you head to Chapel Hill?

I’ll head there on June 16. My classes start on June 19. I’ll be there for a month and then come back home for four to five weeks and then get ready to start my year in Chapel Hill.

McDonald's All-American Practice

With the Final Four just around the corner, it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the 2014 Final Four and what better place to start than the McDonald’s All-American game in Chicago, IL. As numerous NBA personnel gathered to watch the future one and done stars of college basketball, the uber-talented class of 2013 went head to head in a two hour practice session to get acclimated with each other before the All-Star game on Wednesday evening. Kentucky’s number one ranked recruiting class which features six McDonald’s All-Americans is already being hyped as a championship contender and the top recruiting class of all time. Despite having a record six players in the All-American game, it is currently the decisions of two other prep stars that’s taken center stage and could determine what teams end up in Cowboy Stadium next spring. 

On Tuesday afternoon ESPN’s fifth ranked prospect by ESPN, Aaron Gordon is set to make his college announcement by choosing from three Pac-12 schools (Arizona, Oregon, and Washington) and Kentucky. Gordon is a 6’8” human highlight reel who will bring power and athleticism to the school of his choice and is coming off a Nike EYBL championship during the summer of 2012 and a California CIF second place finish.

The Favorite: Arizona. Since coming to Arizona, Sean Miller has made Tucson the top destination for recruits on the West Coast landing big men Brandon Ashley, Grant Jarrett, and Kaleb Tarczewski last year. Miller took the Wildcats to the Elite 8 and Sweet 16 in two of the past three years and could be primed for another run if all the underclassmen return. By going to Arizona, Gordon will get a chance to improve on his perimeter skills which is a must for his NBA future while also helping to continue Miller’s west coast dominance.

The Must Have: Washington. Lorenzo Romar and the Washington Huskies need Aaron Gordon in the worst way. While spending year after year atop the Pac-10, Romar frequently drew in the top recruits from Washington and California. Fabulous freshman Tony Wroten led the Huskies to the Pac -12 regular season title two years ago, but after suffering a first round defeat in the conference tournament, Washington was left out of the tournament. This past year Washington did not have their usual talent level and they finished in the middle of the Pac 12 while also suffering a first round NIT loss. The Huskies currently have Nigel Williams-Goss coming in to play the point, but Romar and the Huskies definitely need Gordon to reverse the programs fortunes. 

The Rest: Normally Kentucky would be the favorite for a player like Gordon, but the Wildcat front court is a little crowded with three McDonald’s All-Americans and the return of Willie Cauley-Stein. As for Oregon, Dana Altman made a late push for Gordon at the same time the Ducks won the Pac-12 tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16. To go along with the Sweet 16 berth, Gordon’s former AAU point guard Dominic Artis is coming off a fantastic freshman year. Two other AAU teammates (Robinson twins) signed with Oregon to play football. Could the allure of an Oakland Soldier reunion be enough to bring a five star recruit into Eugene? 

Odds:

Arizona -180

Washington +135

Oregon +150

Kentucky +200

Andrew Wiggins: Wiggins was bombarded with recruiting questions after practice but per usual he didn’t give any hints as to which way he was leaning or when a decision might come. After recent visits to Kansas and North Carolina, John Calipari went to West Virginia in order to sell Wiggins on wearing Kentucky blue after the recent commitment of Julius Randle. Even though Kentucky already has six McDonald’s All-Americans and is coming off an opening round NIT loss, Calipari probably touted the chance to practice against star players everyday in order to get ready for the NBA in 2014. 

Odds:

Kentucky -150

FSU / UNC / KU +130

Practice Notes: East

Keith Frazier (SG, 6’5”) Frazier was knocking down threes from the wing with ease at the start of practice during set plays and continued his impressive shooting during the scrimmage to end practice. Frazier showed off a quick release and didn’t force shots. When he was hitting shots, the ball often ripped straight through the net without touching an inch of the rim.

Andrew Wiggins (SF, 6’8”) Wiggins was another member of the East squad that excelled on shooting drills throughout the day. He also knocked down a few jumpers in the scrimmages and attacked the rim when given the chance. Despite being a small forward, Wiggins doesn’t have a problem matching up against bigger players. For the most part he matched-up against Noah Vonleh but also guarded Isaiah Hicks and Julius Randle. On one possession, Hicks trade to shoot a 10 foot fade away over Wiggins. The shot was rudely returned.

Julius Randle (PF, 6’8”) While Randle missed the most of his high school season with a fractured right foot; he showed no signs of rust in the practice session utilizing his brute force throughout the session. While Randle needs to work on his outside shot, he can already handle the ball extremely well for a player his size. Randle took on the point forward duties during the scrimmage bringing the ball up for his squad at times. It was quickly apparent that Randle loved to freeze his defender at the top of the key with a stutter step and drive forcefully to the right side. While Rondae Jefferson did a solid job defending Randle, he will definitely be sore tomorrow.

The Point Guards: Kasey Hill and Demetrius Jackson went head to head for most of the morning session once Cat Barber went down with an injury. Hill used his ball handling and quickness to get into the lane for assists or to finish with his top notch athletic ability. On the other side, Jackson used his brute strength and athleticism to attack the basket and finish amongst the trees.