Prospect Spotlight: Trey Sides (2019)
Hitting the Kansas Prep Hoops Rankings at #31, Trey Sides is looking to build on the 18-5 season they had a year ago. Sides had a great season leading his team and earning Honorable Mention All-State honors, but he wasn’t satisfied with finishing one game short of the state tournament.
Not playing any AAU ball this season, Sides decided that it would be best to build chemistry with his team and play in a few tournaments around the area. Losing in the Sub-State finals last year was tough for the team to handle at first, but it’s only going to make the Phillipsburg Panthers work harder to get back and make it to the state tournament. Trey has high hopes especially since they are returning all 5 starters from a year ago. “We should be motivated and hungry to get to State this year and hopefully bring home a state title to Phillipsburg.”
To have high expectations for the team means that you need to have high expectations for yourself, and Sides knows that he is highly relied on. Although, not a lot of recruiting interest yet, Trey is hoping this year will put him on the map and maybe attract a few coaches. Spending a lot of the summer in the weight room has really helped a lot of Trey’s game. Getting stronger will not only going help him finish at the rim, but it already has made him a quicker and more versatile player all around. Trey has also put a lot of work in on his shot. His 3-point shot and mid-range jumper have looked better this summer which will make him a better all around scorer.
As a guard who handles the ball quite a bit, Trey’s court vision and IQ for the game is excellent. He mentioned, “I feel I read the floor very well and am able to find open guys or make the smart basketball play.” Modeling his game after one of his favorite players Stephen Curry has definitely helped with this. He enjoys watching Curry because he’s not the biggest guy on the court and can still get his shot off and make the right play. Trey says, “The way he uses his small frame to still succeed in the NBA is mind blowing.”
Only being a junior, Trey hasn’t thought a lot about what he wants to do after high school, but he is sure that he wants to try and play basketball at the next level. Playing in Manhattan, KS at Bramlage Coliseum at a summer tournament was one Trey’s favorite past times. He hopes to maybe become a Wildcat and play in the purple and whites one day.
Trey is a smart young man, and is great on the basketball court. Leading the Panthers to the 3A State Tournament looks to be in the future for Trey and company. I look forward to him having a breakout junior season!