Prospect Profile: Donovan Short
At halftime of Denmark’s matchup with Southern Door, Donovan Short had already amassed a stat line of (roughly) 10 points and a handful of boards. Thinking I saw his full potential during those 18 minutes, I tweeted out that the…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAt halftime of Denmark’s matchup with Southern Door, Donovan Short had already amassed a stat line of (roughly) 10 points and a handful of boards. Thinking I saw his full potential during those 18 minutes, I tweeted out that the sophomore had, “all the talent you could hope for as a sophomore big man.”
It’s funny, because Short would spend the second half obliterating those first half totals, finishing the game with 33 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists (which, as I would go on to learn, came days after he scored 32 points on seven threes in his sophomore debut).
“All the talent you could hope for” may have been an understatement.
“In situations like {Tuesday} night, there’s almost no time to think. You just have to react and I felt that I reacted extremely well,” Short explained. “I feel like scoring in times of need was my strong suit last night.”
As much as I’d love to heap praise onto that one, stellar outing, his career with Denmark is only starting to take off. As a freshman, Short fielded token minutes for a State-caliber Denmark team, appearing in 22 games and scoring a mere 2.7 points a night. But, for him, last season was about developing alongside his brother Zane. “Oh it was a dream come true. We’ve {Zane} always talked about it and he was always pushing me throughout middle school practicing all of the fundamental little things to get me ready. He always believed in me,” Short said.
But now, as the number one option on offense, Short scored more points then he did all freshman year in only two games this season. Much of that versatile skillset and production can be attributed to his growth with the Phenom University grassroots program. “So far I have not played in any tournaments with Phenom but I’ve been to a couple workouts.” Short stated. “In those workouts the kids on this team are so talented and athletic it pushes me to play the best because if I want to stay at such a high level you can’t play anything but your best. These kids on the team are by far some of the greatest kids I’ve played against.”
In one year, to go from contributing pocket change off the bench to thirty-point performances, it’s logical to think there’s been some behind-the-scenes fine tuning, something Phenom mastered with their talent crop.
For as much as Short is turning heads, improvement remains necessary. Like any sophomore, out-of-control moments came often. And like most forwards with guard-like three-point touch, he settles at times. But, he has the unique opportunity to be that guy with Denmark and to play in the always-competitive EYBL Circuit with Phenom, a contrast that provides various platforms to test his skill.
Going forward, the big man hopes to bring Denmark back to last year’s peak relevance. “Team goals I would say to finish at the top of the conference. We are a talented young group and not many people think we are going to be good this year and I love that. I love doubters, they only push me and my team to play harder and better,” Short said.
Currently, he remains unranked in Prep Hoops Wisconsin’s sophomore class. But, fulfilling his team goals and more individual dominance would give him a boost into the top half of the 2022 rankings.