There are kids the seem to always come out of nowhere and shock you. These usually play for unknown AAU teams. Play often in small towns and train in low visible environments. But just because there not household names doesn’t mean they are not coached up. It doesn’t mean they not skilled up and it certainly doesn’t mean they’re not special. Hayley Dekok is living proof of this.
Last year Abby Minster was a star at Hightstown high school. She was also good enough to earn a D1 scholarship to Binghamton University. Well next season Hightstown will be getting another future D1 player. That’s because Hayley Dekok will begin her freshman season. It will no doubt be a start to a very special career. That’s because Hayley Dekok is not only talented. But she is dedicated and clearly has a love for the game of basketball you don’t teach. She showed up at the ball handling shooting camp and immediately made an impression on everyone. She is long, mobile and athletic at 5’9” and clearly growing still. She has a rock solid handle. It’s a no frills handle. Nothing fancy just effective. The way coaches like it. But what really makes Hayley Dekok special is her shooting ability. Rarely have I seen a freshman who shooting skills are so polished. Watching her shoot the ball is a thing of beauty. The form, the release, the rotation of the ball is all right out of a how to shoot book… it’s a thing of perfection. No rather it’s a gift.
This week at camp we did a 10 min shooting off the dribble drill. Hayley Dekok when the entire 10 mins and missed exactly one shot. My jaw dropped. Not because of the show she put on. But rather because every shot she took looked exactly like the one before it. The confidence is off the charts. Clearly Hayley Dekok has put in some serious work in at the gym. She clearly has had top flight coaches and trainers. I say this because she clearly knows how to work. She is focused and absorbs everything she is told. Not only is she insanely crafty but her basketball IQ is already next level. There is no doubt in my mind, she is one of the best freshman in New Jersey. There is no doubt in my mind, she will be a D1 player one day.
There is only one question left about Hayley Dekok and that’s how good will she be when she reaches her full potential. When she stops growing and her body fills out. The talent, work ethic and commitment, well that we know will always be elite and next level
I always say nothing is better for a kid than camp. It’s a way to get better and sometimes can open a few doors. Hayley Dekok is about to find out that a lot of doors are going to open for her. That’s because she’s too good to be kept a secret. The state of New Jersey let me introduce greatness on the way.
