CT high school freshman Willie Darden Jr. | The Boneyard

CT high school freshman Willie Darden Jr.

Definitely has swagger and trash talk. Interesting sort of hitch in his stride at times; gets the defender lulled to sleep then he blows by. Love the intensity going to the hoop. Man amongst boys; will be interesting to see his development!
 
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HooperScooper said:
The next Magic Johnson? Lol
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I always hate comparisons to past players. Who plays a sport and says they want to be in someone's shadow? Yet others have no problem saying it. The greats want to be great in their own right.
 
Based on the video I'm fairly certain he's tall, and knows someone who knows how to put together a highlight video.
 
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temery said:
Based on the video I'm fairly certain he's tall, and knows someone who knows how to put together a highlight video.
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Yup. that's why I try to find full-game tapes, or at least single-game extended highlights of the whole game.
 
superjohn said:
Interested in how this New Haven kid will progress. He'll be a freshman this year in CIAC. Form on his shot is a little funky but he obviously has a lot of gifts. 6'5 with point guard skills and a serious bag.

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Horatio said:
Willie Buckets!!!! I’ve been watching this kid since he was in the 3rd-4th grade. He’s the real deal. Hard worker. Good kid.
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I second that - he is really good. He was the best player on Expressions 2028 before changing over to New Heights (NY) Lightning.
 
superjohn said:
Interested in how this New Haven kid will progress. He'll be a freshman this year in CIAC. Form on his shot is a little funky but he obviously has a lot of gifts. 6'5 with point guard skills and a serious bag.

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He's got great ability and athleticism. How would he fit with UConn and the emphasis on team?
 
Can we possibly nix the complaining about a kid's attitude at age 13-14? Yeah, he has some maturing to do. Hopefully his hs coaches will hpld him accountable.

I don't like some recruits attitudes on the court sometimes. One we have an OV with this year. I've managed to not mention it because it's a pretty incomplete picture of who someone is.
 
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Definitely has tons of talent. But he needs an attitude adjustment. In one interview he states I don't do chores. Dan Hurley would have a field day with this sort of behavior. His dad and coaches better straighten that crap out.
 
Ricker said:
8th grade with more than 1 kid on a team easily dunking. I was probably still trying to touch the bottom of the net in 8th grade.
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it Is crazy now, there are some 7th/8th graders doing in-game east bays.

The 2028 New Heights and NY Lightning teams are both stacked, so I would expect us to recruit NH Lightning 2028 pretty heavily (Ian Archibald, Marque Johnson, Willie and another lightning player).
 
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eos91 said:
it Is crazy now, there are some 7th/8th graders doing in-game east bays.
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Always been happening. We just live in an era where 12-year-olds need a mixtape for some reason.
 
husky429 said:
Always been happening. We just live in an era where 12-year-olds need a mixtape for some reason.
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I don't think 12 year olds were always doing east bays or are doing east bays now.

If there are any 7th graders out there doing it now I would almost guarantee they're older than 12.

Willie Darden is 15 years old and old for his class like Dybantsa was before reclassifying. So many of the top basketball kids nowadays stay back when they're young.
 
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UC Billy said:
Definitely has tons of talent. But he needs an attitude adjustment. In one interview he states I don't do chores. Dan Hurley would have a field day with this sort of behavior. His dad and coaches better straighten that crap out.
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I know Willie Jr and his parents a little. He’s a nice kid and he’s working hard on his game. Judging a 14 yo from an interview tells me a lot about you.
 
imno1 said:
I know Willie Jr and his parents a little. He’s a nice kid and he’s working hard on his game. Judging a 14 yo from an interview tells me a lot about you.
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I think he turned 15 a few months ago but it doesn't matter. The kid is really good, he's putting in the work and he's a good kid. Bright future.
 
StllH8L8ner said:
Cam Spencer…Newt….El Amin…etc all turned out okay. If Danny wants him, we want him.
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There's trash talking and there's the trash talking and making a point to stare a guy down while doing it. In the clips, he's being a little aggressive at times to make sure the other guys hears him. That's what he needs to be cut out.
And Cam did get a few T's last year as well and a few times the refs let him off with a warning.
 
imno1 said:
I know Willie Jr and his parents a little. He’s a nice kid and he’s working hard on his game. Judging a 14 yo from an interview tells me a lot about you.
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You have no idea who I am and what I'm about. Ummmm you look at the other posts that are critical of his attitude but you say nothing. Ummmm get a life and you have certainly shown your true colors.
 
Zonepress said:
I think u have revealed yourself pretty well
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General advise for all. It's okay to have an opinion and to disagree. But some need to stop the personal attacks. I've known a few lurkers over the years who simply won't post because they don't want to deal with the personal crap that happens way too much on this forum. The Yard is supposed to be fun and informative, so let's try to make this a better place so that more will participate and we'll all be better off.

Let's just move on please.

Now it's good to see we have some up and coming in state talent. I'm sure this young baller will continue to develop and mature. Maybe he'll want to be a Husky and Hurley will see him as a system and cultural fit. If not, he won't be the first or last talented Connecticut (or New England) baller that Hurley decides to pass on or they decide themselves to go elsewhere.

When the time comes, I hope he fits and brings his game to Storrs. We did pretty good with one of the last local stars (Clingan).
 
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