HoopSeen 2022 Wrapped: THE GUY
The calendar year of 2022 is nearly in the books and we are looking back on the 12 full months of hoop that we've seen at HoopSeen, within the HoopSeen Association and beyond. So, we asked Josh Tec, Justin Byerly and Justin Young some questions.
Today we start with...
When you look back on the 2022 year, who stands out as THE guy on the HoopSeen Association and Grassroots Basketball Association platform?
Josh Tec: It has to be Brandon Rechsteiner. I got subtweeted by someone because of how much coverage Rechsteiner got this spring and summer, but he was not only one of the best players in Georgia, he got as hot as anyone in the country over the summer. His ascent to high-major recruitment was the story of the travel season. Now signed with Virginia Tech, we’ll be looking forward to seeing Rechsteiner continue his career in Blacksburg.
With the Atlanta Allstars, Rechsteiner delivered on a week-by-week basis. Whether he was pouring in threes or dishing nifty lobs to his bigs, the future Hokie put on shows that we were privileged to watch. He wasn’t named the HSA MVP for no reason. If there was a HoopSeen Hall of Fame, he’d certainly be in it after his accomplishments over the years and in 2022 specifically.
Justin Young: Reliable. That’s a trait that you can put in the utility belt of Gehrig Normand. He’s just going to find a way to get it done time and time again. That’s what he does. For 3D Empire, Normand was the claiming presence in big-game situations.
He delivered so many times and in such a fashion that Tom Izzo was present for his games in the spring and summer to see it for himself. Izzo was quick to offer and Normand decided to take his Texas talents to East Lansing.
For two straight years with our partnership with NY2LA, Normand was a constant on our top overall performers lists and was one of the best players in independent basketball for his entire high school career. That’s saying something.
Justin Byerly: Steady. Derin Saran was that for 1 of 1 Elite all season. With all of the hype of Mikey Williams and his game, Saran was the guy that held that program together. He is vocal, has a great understanding of the game, and can play at a high level. He has good size at the lead guard spot, makes good decisions with the ball in his hands and at the end of the day, he helps his teams win.
Saran has seen his recruitment go through the roof with his play during the travel season and his play with Asheville School at the NCISAA June Live events, he is going to sniff some high-major offers before his senior season is done.
