When I watch these high school players perform at this level, unlike most people, it’s not the NBA or a big time college I see in their future, it’s cross training. What I hope is that Zion and Chandler spend a few months post High School season basketball just enjoying being kids.
The AAU season starts immediately after the high school season ends. I used to make my players pick up different sports. They had to run track, or play volleyball. My goal was to give them a moment away from the game. We didn’t have a powerhouse team, but I knew that a break would keep the passion for the game high as well as allow for some serious rehab on their bodies.
Kids have resilient body structures. They can run forever, and jump without getting tired… the unfortunate thing is all of that running and jumping is a consistent movement and use of the same muscles. Taking that time off allows those muscles to repair, cross training strengthens other core muscle groups and allows for those basketball fast twitch muscles to actually get stronger and faster. Not taking that time off turns into Derrick Rose, and now Jabari Parker. You can’t play 80 games a year (30 high school and 50+ AAU games) and recover.
So unlike everyone saying, damn the next LeBron… I’m hoping Zion takes LeBron’s cue and begins riding a bike in the offseason, or cross training by hitting the weights and putting the ball down for a while. I hope Chandler joins him, because these two kids won’t have any problems getting scholarships and the handlers and guys looking for paychecks on the travel circuit can wait before they try to get that money for having two elite athletes. Enough of that, check out this video. Bananas!
Zion Williamson (@ZionW32) w/ 31 pts & 8 dunks. @SpartanburgDay W Air Max 270 React Eng Woman.
Chandler Lindsey adds 26 w/ 3 dunks. Watch! @WSPA7 pic.twitter.com/zyYZRluX9m— Todd Summers (@ToddSummers7) February 14, 2017
Hey, just want to let you know Chandler Lindsey plays soccer as well and is considered a top player. His School had a game today SDS (Spartanburg Day School). They won today SDS 7 and Anderson Christian 3. Chandler scored 3 of SDS 7 goals. I believe he is a great all around athlete. Of course, I am his father so I am a little biased. Hope you cover his soccer too. Enjoyed your article!
Thanks for visiting the site Thomas. I used to run a big basketball website, but I no longer do recruitment. I just felt that when I saw this video Chandler has been overlooked due to Zion’s explosiveness so I wanted to drop a story about him on here. It is so good to hear that he is playing soccer. As you probably know both Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant played soccer. It’s a beautiful game and the mental aspect along with the physical stamina is probably better for him than any round of AAU basketball will be. The cross training aspect can not be quantified. He could literally be the best two way basketball player in high school next year if his soccer skills are that good. I wish I still had my connections I would be begging San Diego State to recruit him so my alma mater could get their PG of the future. Please wish him continued success and I truly hope you are enjoying the ride with your son.
I really appreciate your shout out. Yale and Wofford have thrown their hat in the recruiting. He has over a 4.0 gpa. Last I check it was at 4.7. I will continue to guide his academics and let the athletics fall on his desires. I will keep you and your site updated on his success. As I like to tell him, his knees will go out before his brain does. Thank you again for noticing his special talents. We will forge on and continue to enjoy the ride.
Let him take all of his visits. Take your time and then look at the entire picture before he chooses where he wants to go. Yale is obviously going to be at the front of the line, but Wofford isn’t a slouch school academically. I’m sure as he settles into basketball post soccer he will garner more interest. Have you seen the money being thrown around in soccer in the UK? http://www.arch-usa.com/should-america-start-paying-the-elite-amatuer-athletes-like-in-europe/ You can mistake me with any info you like and I will share it on the site. I may not be in hoops iteration, but a good story is a good story and it sounds like Chandler is a great guy. Who knows, maybe he will be an Aztec 😉