Prospect Spotlight: Adrian Beasley (2017)
There are many ways players can go under the radar. Some players take a while to develop into big time players, playing multiple years on JV just for the chance to play varsity their junior year. Some players have it…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThere are many ways players can go under the radar. Some players take a while to develop into big time players, playing multiple years on JV just for the chance to play varsity their junior year. Some players have it early, playing varsity at a young age, but are just overshadowed by teammates on a good team.
The latter is the case for Tallwood power forward Adrian Beasley, who has logged big minutes for the Lions since his sophomore season. A versatile offensive scorer with a bull like mentality in the post, the 6’4” senior has quietly put up numbers for them over the past three seasons, enough to get the attention of schools like Virginia Wesleyan, Randolph Macon, Shenandoah and more.
The Lions had a big week, knocking off the top ranked 6A team in the state in Oscar Smith before falling to Granby in the championship of the Scope Holiday Tournament in Norfolk. In their first game of the tournament, Beasley was a grown man as he had an almost double-double with 15 points and eight rebounds. Afterwards, he talked about how much that game meant to him.
“I just wanted to get my first win, I’ve never won in the Scope so I just wanted to beat Booker T. and move on to the next round I’m getting tired of losing in the first round of tournaments,” Beasley said.”
A grueling six day period where Tallwood played five games in two different states, going 4-1 through the stretch and improving to an 8-3 mark on the season as a whole. When asked how they could keep the momentum going and perhaps be a dark horse candidate in 6A this season, Beasley responded by talking about his teammates before anything else.
“We just have to stick together, stay focused and play as a team,” Beasley said. “I think this year we’re a better defensive team, and everyone worked hard this summer to get better.”
While he’s focused on improving individually, he doesn’t focus on the offensive end where he can score on the post or step out and knock it down. A true team player, Beasley is more focused on what he can do defensively to help his team win.
“I have to box out to get rebounds, so that’s a focal point to me on the defensive end.”
As for what he’s looking for in a school, he may sound picky but at least he knows what he wants.
“I’m looking for a good coach, somewhere that’s not too far from home and somewhere I can get a great education.”
Whatever school lands Beasley will get one of the most underrated players in the state, leading to a steal for them to build around.