Zachary Lyon:
Future150 Regional Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball: NC, SC & VA
Cornelius, NC (Future150) -- Class of 2018 Damon Early is a combo forward that plays at Hough high school in North Carolina. Early is one of the hardest workers I've seen this season. The Sophomore stands about 6'4 and weighs just over 200 pounds but can rebound and defend in the paint like he is 6'8 or taller.
He has enjoyed a solid season so far at Hough (NC) playing alongside Future150 Alumni, Qon Murphy. He has really embraced his role on the team and always competes hard to get the win.
"I really don't care for scoring, but I do what I can to help the team win," Early said. "I really pride myself on getting rebounds because I know that's going to help us win games."
That has to be sweet music to a college coaches ear's when he hears a kid say something like that. The only stat(s) Early cares about are the ones he knows he needs to pile up in order for his team to be victorious when the final buzzer sounds.
"I try to average about ten points and ten boards a game, but I also enjoy working hard on defense to get stops and help my team win games," Early said. "And to just make my coach and teammates happy."
Early hasn't seen any college coaches approach him yet, but if he continues to play with his current mindset and sprouts up a few more inches the future could be looking very bright for the North Carolinian. He has that crazy effort and high motor whenever he is on the floor and there is always room on a college basketball team at some level for a talented hustler and scrapper.
The bottom line is that Early has a mindset that is seemingly fading away from a lot of prospects in today's game, which is to win the basketball game at hand and make your coaches and teammates happy and proud. Too many times kids are worrying about how many points they score or what they can perform like in front of a college coach.
"I just want to help lead my team to a state championship (before my senior year)," Early said.
Damon Early is a breath of fresh air when speaking on young players in the game today, and the success will surely follow this young man if he keeps his attitude like this for the future ahead of himself.
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