Chris Livingston (2022) making his way at Buchtel
One of the most highly touted players in the Class of 2022 is making a smooth transition to the high school game. Chris Livingston, a 6-5 guard out of Akron Buchtel, has averaged 27 points in the two games I’ve…
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Continue ReadingOne of the most highly touted players in the Class of 2022 is making a smooth transition to the high school game.
Chris Livingston, a 6-5 guard out of Akron Buchtel, has averaged 27 points in the two games I’ve seen him play this year. He already has offers from Ohio State, Florida UAB and Akron, and as recently as this past fall was ranked as one of the top players in the class of 2022 with the caveat that there is plenty of time until he would hit the hardwood at any college hoop program.
He’s not super aggressive on the offensive end yet, but he’s an above-average ball-handler who has the ability to draw and kick or finish strong through contact while getting to the rack.
In a loss to First Love Christian Academy out of Pa., on Jan. 6. He also knocked down a couple of 3-balls with a decent shooting stroke.
Some gravity defining layups late in the game where he showed off all kinds of hang time while combining a creative finish were impressive and hinted at what could be.
The LeBron connection
Livingston entered high school with all kinds of hype in part because he became a workout buddy with fellow Akron hooper LeBron James.
James and Livingston worked out once during the offseason said Livingston. On another occasion, he contacted LeBron to ask a basketball related questions who answered
LeBron even took in one of Livingston’s AAU games this summer in Las Vegas. Thus started the parade of stories comparing the two players with Akron ties.
Livingston has an uncanny ability to hang in the air while taking the ball inside and then bulling his way through contact to either draw the foul or score.
Against First Love he had a pair of dunks that came in transition off of fast breaks and both were authoritative punches with the right hand.
Defensively, he used his height and leaping ability to come away with several rebounds vs. First Love.
Here’s a little interview I did with Livingston after that game.
What are you working on as far as your game is concerned?
I’m working on my mid-range jump shot.
What’s been the biggest change in high school game from 8th grade.
Playing with discipline.
What are goals for rest of season?
For our team it’s to win states; play together, get better every time out.
Is it hard to try to not to take over games?
You have to know basketball and have a high basketball IQ. Let the game come to you. Don’t force anything. Let the game come to you.
You’ve got a lot of hype early on and some of the biggest names in college basketball recruiting have written about you. How are you handling it?
Just blocking it out. You’ve got to play hard, work hard.