Andrew Force:
Future150 National Analyst. Covering High and Middle School basketball.
Birmingham, AL (Future150) -- Solid, tall, and, steady the Class of 2016 point guard P.J. Grooms has been groomed for leadership his entire life. Grooms has finally received his chance to lead, as he has been named the captain of the Central Park Christian High School (AL) team.
"(P.J.) is a coach's dream," said CPC Head Coach Donovan Broadnax. "Whatever you tell him will be dictated to the players. Not only will it be told to the players (by him) it will also be demonstrated."
July was a strong month for Grooms and Coach Broadnax noticed improvements in the junior's game.
"He was always a good shooter." said Coach Broadnax. "We had a game Saturday that we needed some shots. He hit three threes, helped erase a twenty point deficit."
Coach Broadnax had no hesitation handing the reigns to his program over to Grooms. He knew the guard was capable and dependable. Whether it be in the classroom or on the court Grooms always gets the job done, as he holds a 3.6 GPA.
Tennessee Tigers AAU Head Coach Chip Smith concurs with Coach Broadnax that Grooms' gifts begin with brains and mental acuity.
"His presence, he has a real sense of the game," said Coach Smith. "He prepares for each opportunity as well as any one we have ever had."
Grooms was able to join the Tigers for the AAU Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Look for Grooms to return with them in 2015 too.
"He understands what goes in to preparing and competing," said Coach Smith. "He shoots well. He is a good on-ball defender. Some guys his age don't like to defend, but he will crawl up in ya. But what sets him apart is the good presence. (Grooms is) more mature than guys his age."
Recruitment
Many schools in the region are intrigued by Grooms' combination of maturity, skills, and academic investment.
"Alabama, Mississippi State, Murray State, Troy, TCU, Arizona State, UMKC and Texas A&M," listed Grooms.
Mississippi State and Alabama have been in contact with Grooms and his coaches for more than a year. Equally interested in them, Grooms made a few unofficial campus visits, including Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State.
"I liked (Alabama's) facility a lot. I talked to Coach Grant," Grooms said. "I went down there for an Elite Camp. After meeting them the coaches and my dad talked a lot."
Coach Broadnax is a great ambassador for Grooms' recruitment as he proudly touts the basketball IQ and GPA. At least six schools, including high majors such as Alabama and Clemson, invested time and money evaluating Grooms this fall. UAB continues to evaluate their hometown talent and Samford really likes his game. Now that Auburn has a new coaching staff they are developing strong contact as well.
"I like them a lot," said Grooms. "Coach Pearl always seems to be a good coach. He knows basketball. He lets his players play. I know a lot about college basketball, so I studied him."
Upon his hiring at Auburn, Pearl quickly identified the best in Alabama, and Grooms was one of those targets. At this point he would be classified as an Auburn target with hopes of that interest morphing into an offer.
"Honestly none have offered yet, but many have told me they will offer me once they watch me again," Grooms told Future150. "I think late season and early spring a lot of offers will come if I keep progressing and play good."
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