Not often do you find a person that will turn down a semi-pro contract to take his talents to the grassroots basketball arena. However, that is precisely what Coach Stefan Whittingham did in 2015. For postgrad prospects that come up…
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Not often do you find a person that will turn down a semi-pro contract to take his talents to the grassroots basketball arena. However, that is precisely what Coach Stefan Whittingham did in 2015. For postgrad prospects that come up short of the NBA, an overseas contract may await. Whittingham felt he had more in-store and more to give to the game than just play it.
What was it that made Coach Whittingham give up a his professional basketball dreams ? He had a coach in his life that believed that he had a lot to give back — he had a lot to pay forward. Since 2015, that is exactly the path he has taken, and it is proving to be a path meant to be taken. Fast forward six years, and Coach Whittingham’s course has brought him to the Prep Hoops Next Circuit inaugural year, where some of the best middle school grassroots basketball programs will be competing throughout the spring and summer.
For more information on the Prep Hoops Next Circuit, check out PrepHoopsNext.com/Circuit.
Shortly after the birth of his daughter, Coach Whittingham decided to plant his roots deeper into the southeast region and start his program. — the Triple Double Tarheels (TDT). The credibility he had accrued as a coach and connections he had made be used to build TDT.
The passion and dedication that he has put in since 2017 has led to the expansion of his program into currently having 11 teams based out of the Deerfield, FL area. He has had several talented players come through his program, such as Derek Miller (Coastal GA), Keith Germain (Lakeland CC), Von Nugent (Webster University), Sterling Young (Miami Prep), and Greg McKay (Hosanna Prep). He says that those players impacted his program in countless ways, and he is confident that he has some current players in his program that can do the same and possibly better.
Indeed, there is a lot of hype surrounding this program and the 2027 team, and Coach Whittingham is confident that his team is going to be able to hold their own. Get to know their talent!
Gavin Reed 5’5/Forward/Boca Raton Middle (Boca Raton, FL)
From The Coaches Desk:
Coach says that Gavin is one of the most athletic kids on his team and is the player who will get things going for his team. He is a player that can space the floor with his ability to knock down the long ball while at the same time can slash defenses and find his way in the paint converting with the best of them.
Strengths: Shooting, Athleticism
Areas For Growth: Ball-handling
Donovan Swain 5’3/Wing/SLAM Boca (Boca Raton, FL)
From The Coaches Desk:
Coach says that Donovan is one of the most prolific scorers at his age. He is a sniper from behind the arc, and defenses must account for him whenever he is on the court. He is going to be a player to keep eyes on throughout the circuit.
Strengths: Scoring
Areas For Growth: Defense
Dylan Marks 5’6/Forward/Eagles Landing (Boca Raton, FL)
From The Coaches Desk:
Coach says that Dylan is one of the players who competes on both ends of the court and is a player who anchors the team on both ends. His basketball IQ at this age is unparalleled, and his ability to see the floor and make passes is sensational.
Strengths: Shooting, Defense
Areas For Growth: Lack of aggressiveness at times.
Who are the glue guys that keep everything together for TDT?
Henry Moore
From The Coaches Desk:
Coach says that Henry gets us going offensively and defensively and is the unselfish player you need on your team that can also knock down the outside shot.
Jayden Elder
From The Coaches Desk:
Coach says that Jayden is the epitome of the 6th man coming off the bench, as he scores huge baskets for the team. He is a raw player that has a knack for scoring the ball.
Coach Whittingham offered some rapid-fire analysis of the players that build out the rest of the roster:
Nick Femia – “Knockdown Shooter”
Kendrick Hilbert – “Lockdown Defender”
Garrett Schwartz – “Locks down the paint and gets clean up baskets.”
TDT will be a team to keep a watch on and should not be a team taken lightly. This is one team that I am looking forward to watching.
We asked Coach Whittingham the ONE THING that he wants to accomplish with his program this year…
“One thing that I would like to accomplish with my program this year is to get some of my players the national recognition that they deserve from all the hard work that they put in.”
His team will have every opportunity to accomplish exactly that as we get ready for The Rumble Under the Palms.
