Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Milwaukee, WI (Future150) -- "Potential" is a word that often gets thrown around way too often when talking about prospects in the game of basketball. Coaches, media, analysts, and fans overuse the term when talking about kids whose brighest days of their careers are well ahead of them.
When talking about 2015 post prospect Diamond Stone, there is indeed a ton of raw potential within the 6'10", 241 pound power forward/center, but he isn't waiting around to begin a dominant basketball career. He is well on his way after a spectacular freshman season.
While leading Whitefish Bay Dominican High School to a 27-1 record and a Wisconsin Division 4 State Title, he averaged 13.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game. Not only did he prove that he is one of the best freshman the state of Wisconsin has seen in quite some time, he also showed that he plays his best basketball when the games mean the most.
In the state semifinals against Colfax, he turned in a gem of a game. His stat line read 15 points, 15 rebounds, and an astounding 14 blocked shots, which helped Dominican cruise to a 66-44 victory.
However, if you ask him about his gaudy performances, he treats it like it is business as usual. "I don't really pay attention to those things. I just like to stay humble." That doesn't mean that he doesn't notice himself when rated against his competition in the class of 2015. "I think I'm at least top 3."
It's hard to argue that. Marquette and Wisconsin have already offered the talented big man, and several other schools such as UCLA, Georgetown, Michigan State, Indiana, UNC, and Alabama are interested in Stone.
With a recruiting frenzy sure to pick up over the following months, he is focused on getting better. He wants to improve on his defense this summer so he is capable of guarding any position on the floor.
That is a scary thought for any of his opponents. Diamond Stone's "potential" is seemingly limitless, but he isn't concerned about that. He is too busy dominating right now.
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