CT high school freshman Willie Darden Jr.

[superjohn]

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.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

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!

 

[HooperScooper]

The next Magic Johnson? Lol

 

[JSB60]

What school is he going to?

 

[Umami Zen]

Willie likes to chirp

 

[EZPass]

 

[superjohn]

What school is he going to?

The video says West Haven High School. Not sure if West Haven high or Notre Dame West Haven.

 

[UCTitleTown]

The next Magic Johnson? Lol

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.

 

[king conn]

He's getting bags already?

 

[Spaceman213J]

Needs to lose the trash talk. At the next level, he's going to get some T's if it continues.

 

[Viet Vet]

Willie likes to chirp

to opponents, the crowd, and do chin-ups on the rim. Class act.

 

[temery]

Based on the video I'm fairly certain he's tall, and knows someone who knows how to put together a highlight video.

 

[Horatio]

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.

 

[AidanFan20]

Based on the video I'm fairly certain he's tall, and knows someone who knows how to put together a highlight video.

Yup. that's why I try to find full-game tapes, or at least single-game extended highlights of the whole game.

 

[eos91]

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.

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.

I second that - he is really good. He was the best player on Expressions 2028 before changing over to New Heights (NY) Lightning.

 

[Scrutineer]

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.

He's got great ability and athleticism. How would he fit with UConn and the emphasis on team?

 

[Zonepress]

Played with Wilbur Cross this summer

 

[husky429]

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.

 

[UC Billy]

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.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Needs to lose the trash talk. At the next level, he's going to get some T's if it continues.

Cam Spencer…Newt….El Amin…etc all turned out okay. If Danny wants him, we want him.

 

[Ricker]

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.

 

[eos91]

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.

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).

 

[husky429]

it Is crazy now, there are some 7th/8th graders doing in-game east bays.

Always been happening. We just live in an era where 12-year-olds need a mixtape for some reason.

 

[superjohn]

Always been happening. We just live in an era where 12-year-olds need a mixtape for some reason.

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.

 

[imno1]

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.

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.