Prospect spotlight: Travis Beetch (2020)
An up-and-coming junior, Abilene’s Travis Beetch is a well-rounded and versatile player who can seemingly do a little bit of everything.
At 6’4, Beetch can play either guard spot, slide over to the 3 and is good in pick-and-roll situations and has the ability to attack off the bounce, can knock down mid-range shots and is a good spot up shooter.
For his high school team, Beetch often serves as his team’s primary ball handler and leads the team offensively and defensively, and controls the tempo.
He spent the offseason competing for SSA Elite’s 16U squad where he mostly played on the wing. He says the experience of playing for SSA gave him the opportunity to compete with and against other talented players and gave him confidence heading into his junior year.
“I’m more confident in my offense and great bonds within my teammates gives me friends from all over Central/Eastern Kansas,” Beetch says. “My coaches really push me to better myself and a huge shoutout to coach Richard Galli by helping me improve my game in being a better all around player.”
Beetch says he has spent a lot of time working on his outside shot after school, shooting on the gun and improving his form and arch.
“I have also been working my ball handling to be able to beat people off the bounce and score or dish to open teammates,” he says. “I have also been trying to work on rebounding because with my size and skill, I can grab a rebound and start many more transition opportunities for my team.”
Beetch says his dad and a host of current and former coaches have had the biggest impact on his basketball game.
“All my coaches that have helped me get better and better throughout my years of playing, I have great respect and gratitude for all of them,” Beetch said. “From when my dad first taught help me pick up a basketball to my high school coaches and all in between, I want to thank all of them for helping me get to where I am today.”
Beetch does not yet hold any offers, but has drawn some interest from various colleges through the mail and hopes a big junior season will increase his profile.
“I am hoping to reach out to more schools and help my exposure to go somewhere at the next level, I love basketball and playing at the next level is a big goal of mine,” Beetch said.