NEW YORK CITY
There has been an urban legend about a combo guard from Tennessee who's all that.
M. Wingate | |
"Nobody in Memphis can guard me," said LaDarrius Chester |
NYCHoops.net caught up with Chester and his mentor, Bobby Bates to learn more about the relatively unknown rising star and find out how he remained under the radar for so long.
"I use to play timid," said Chester. A statement that's hard to believe after watching him play during the star studded event at the world famous Gaucho Gym in the Bronx, NY. Underneath the spot light against top level players from around the nation including Isaiah Whitehead, Stephen Zimmerman, Isaiah Briscoe, Chris McCullough and Cheick Diallo, Chester put on a show. Winning the slam dunk competition and coming in second in the 3-point competition was just a prelude to the 6'1 rising senior's potential.
"I can get to the rim at any cost," said the rising senior from Melrose HS. After his performance in the Big Strick Classic, Mike Libert, a writer for NYCHoops.net ,described Chester as, "[a player who] displayed great lead guard skills, breaking down the defense and finding open big men on the inside off the dribble. Incredibly bouncy, who was easily the biggest high riser of the event, Chester understood his role on this team and really was a playmaker for most of the game, but did show a step back shot along with a strong finishing touch going in, making him one of the better guards at the event."
M. Wingate | |
Chester showed his hops during the slam dunk competition |
According to Bates, Chester is from a rough and rugged part of Memphis, TN called Orange Mound. "Let's just say, it's like [the TV show] First 48," he said.
Bates said that when Chester did play AAU basketball it was with Team Nashville but really hasn't had much exposure outside of the state.
"He's like a Josh Selby but more explosive," said Bates. That would actually be an accurate description. "He's the most gifted athlete I've ever seen," he added.
Although Chester has had limited exposure, he's started to receive interest from Wichita State, Creighton and Tennessee according to Bates. "We're not sure what we're gonna do next year," said Bates due to Chester's belated notoriety.
Focusing on the upcoming season, Chester confidently said this is going to be his breakout year. Why? "Because nobody in Memphis can guard me," said the once timid combo guard.
Chester said that he's always working on his game with a focus on dribbling and shooting even better but Bates believes as the high flyer hones in on his killer instinct, "the sky's the limit."
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