Prospect Spotlight: Shareef Bynum (2019)
In the past few years, transfers have changed the landscape of all levels of basketball, and that includes public school high school ball across the country. Right here in Virginia, we have kids transferring and playing for two, three, sometimes four high schools in a career. It isn’t good, it isn’t bad, it’s just the nature of the beast right now.
In Portsmouth, one of the biggest schools in the area was happy to find out that the best player from their cross-town rival was transferring in for his senior year in lead guard Shareef Bynum. The 6’0″ combo guard was one of the top scorers in the city last season at Woodrow Wilson High School, and this year he moved to Churchland and has been a big impact for a Truckers team who’s off to a solid start at 8-7 this season.
While they’ve had some ups and downs, the Truckers are starting to hit their groove and continue to mesh well together.
“We’re just continuing to build on teamwork and playing hard, especially on the defensive end,” Bynum said.
While they’ve gotten off to a decent start, Bynum and his teammates are satisfied with being just mediocre. On a team that’s stacked with veteran guys who have been waiting for a chance to compete with the best, the addition of some top notch players have them thinking they can compete with anyone.
“I think we can go all the way,” Bynum said. “I came into an already good group, and I’m kind of an all-around player so I fit in well.”
It’s this mindset that really sets Bynum apart from other good guards in the area. He isn’t the biggest or most athletic guy, but he has a dog type mindset and he’s going to come at you every time. He’s great at turning the corner and getting to the rim, where he’ll throw his body around and is a great finisher in traffic and in transition.
Every game he comes in thinking no one can stop him, and he makes an impact with that kind of killer mentality.
“Kill, every time I step on the court my mindset is to kill,” he said.
As far as colleges are concerned, Bynum said he’s had “a couple college coaches” reach out to him, but says that he’s going to just keep playing and they’ll continue to come. As far as what he can bring to the table for a college team, he kept that real short and sweet.
“I could bring defense, scoring, everything for real.”
In an area chock full of talented players, Bynum is one that should be on the radar of coaches and fans that follow the 757 area.