2030 SOPHIA RUDE… THE VIDEO DON’T LIE!

I never pay attention to what parents say to me about their child’s performance. I never pay attention to a kids inner circle regarding how well a player is playing. That’s because in most cases they are simply fans. What I do pay attention to is the video. That’s because the video DOESN’T LIE. It’s why I believe the 2030 swing guard SOPHIA RUDE is developing into one of the best yung players in the entire state of New Jersey.

I often hear how a player is developing. How they’re in the gym working hard and improving. But then I watch them play and wonder why is all that hard work not transferring to games. I see them shoot and think, they are not good shooters. Then I watch the video and all the answers are there. You realize it’s just another kid being glazed up. Another player failing to reach their potential. But when I watch Sophia Rude I see a player delivering on her potential. I see a player who is preforming in games. I see a player with a huge improvement curve. See Sophia Rude doesn’t need to be hyped up. She lets her game speak and her game is speaking loud … REAL LOUD. She is becoming a player that is special.

See we love to make excuses for young players. When they don’t play well against older D1 competition we say they’re young. When they play well we brag about their potential. Well I’m from the old school. You’re either good or you’re not. You’re either in or out of your teams rotation. Great young players have always played right out the gate regardless of who is on the roster. You cannot name a single great player that has not EVER player right out the gate.. Sophia Rude will make an impact from day one regardless of where she attends high school.

I don’t see much of Sophia Rude these days. But I get to watch her every week in the fall league and her is what I know. She is a deadly shooter to 25ft these days. She has upgraded her range. I noticed she is posting up smaller guards with her 6ft frame. She has diversified her game. Meaning she is growing the versatility in her bag. I noticed she breaking ankles off the bounce. Meaning her handle has gone to another level. What does all this tell me? Sophia Rude is talking but rather delivering on her potential. She is squeezing her talent, making it beg for mercy while taking her talent to the next level.

Too often young players with size and athleticism believe that will be enough. They often won’t work on these weaknesses. They often stop developing. It’s an old age story. The inner circle lies about their performance. Make excuses as they step up in competition. They don’t give them truth. That’s because the quickest way for a parent to turn on you is to give them truth about their child. Then the petty nonsense and ego rules the day. Sophia Rude will never have this problem for one simple reason… SHE LOVES BASKETBALL. She can coaches hard and respond, she is a true unselfish teammate. She is a sponge and wants to learn everything.. she is not just resilient, she embraces challenges. See this all stems from her passion and I hope nobody takes that her away from her. Because it’s this passion that will one day make her a star. A household name.

Now this winter will be huge for Sophia Rude because the months of January thrillApril always tell the story for 8th graders. The ones who work the hardest are the ones who fly in high school as freshman. This winter Sophia Rude will have to choose a high school. This winter Sophia Rude will truly start her journey. I will be watching from a distance and I hope her inner circle gives her truth, coaching and reminds her the film don’t lie. Cause right now the film is saying she is putting in academy award type performances!