Nestled on the outskirts of the city of Richmond, Virginia, LC Bird High School has become quite the powerful basketball program. Over the past few years, it was Kenny Williams, an incoming freshman to the North Carolina basketball program this fall, which headlined things for the Skyhawks. While the shoes to fill might be big, Mario Haskett seems more than ready to step things up and be the go-to guy these next two years.

Standing at 6-foot-2, Haskett has had the same questions being asked about him as Williams had during his years coming up through the high school ranks. Is he tall enough to be a 2-guard? Can he play the point guard spot? How does he facilitate? Is he athletic enough? Haskett answered many of those questions this past summer and then some in running with the River City Reign 16-under crew.

Where the junior guard shines is in making jump shots. He can score it in every which way possible and has great elevation on his mid-range jumper attempts within the half-court setting. With the ball in his hands more often, Haskett has become a better decision-maker with it and has turned into more of a combo type who can make others better, which the Virginia native spoke on further. “I bring a high motor and energy and pretty good decision-making skills. I can also score it at all three levels whenever necessary and set my teammates up so they get the ball where they are comfortable with it.”

Many programs have begun to bring more heat and dish out offers to Haskett, and while some are leaning on the LC Bird guard to be more of a combo, and others more of a lead guard, the junior spoke on where he sees himself at the next level. “I see myself as a one. But I can play alongside another point guard as well but I think that spot is the position where I can contribute the most at.”

On the recruiting front, Haskett hasn’t shown a ton of attention to it, rather letting his coaches and father take care of it all. However, things are beginning to heat up as the lethal scorer of the ball recently picked up offers from the likes of Old Dominion, VCU, Cincinnati, and Richmond, with further interest coming from Providence, Dayton, Miami, Clemson, and Virginia Tech.

When it does come time to select the appropriate college to attend, Haskett has a good understanding of what he is looking for. “Everyone wants a family atmosphere but I want a school that even after I leave the school, that it will benefit me in the real world and for life after basketball.”

Now entering his junior campaign at LC Bird, it would seem that Haskett is more than comfortable in becoming the face of the program and in doing so, solidifying himself as one of the best in his region.