Program Preview: DiverseCity
The spring is almost here! That means the Prep Hoops Circuit is just around the corner! It is time for us to start previewing the teams participating on the circuit and talking to their directors.
We caught up with Scott Mervis of the DiverseCity to discuss their upcoming season! Check out what they had to say!
Why did you choose the Prep Hoops Circuit?
I believe these tournaments will provide the best visibility to my players and there are several tournaments located near Central Illinois.
What is the goal of your program for 2020?
I want college coaches to notice my players and offer them athletic scholarships. The best way to do this is play in great tournaments, against great teams, and win a lot of games.
What is your program’s mission each year?
The focus of my program is to help my student athletes be successful in life. We called our program DiverseCity Sports Academy because we intentionally formed our teams to be diverse. We wanted to do our part to help to eliminate racism. As Michael Jackson said in his song, “I am not going to spend my life being a color.” This diversity will help them in life and in the workplace. Why focus on basketball players? I feel very good basketball players have a drive and work ethic that can’t be taught. These character traits can help them be successful in life and become leaders. As a coach, I am helping them through this journey. Basketball exposes them to adversity and I am there to help them manage through it. I believe getting a college education and a good degree will help them achieve their life goals. I hope basketball will help them enter the workplace without much college debt.
What players are the prospects people should keep an eye on at each age level?
16U:
Wes Hunt – 6’7″; athletic; good handles; dunks easily; and shoots well from 3’s. He plays best facing the rim. He hardly played on his 8th grade school team that finished 2nd in State, but now he starts varsity. He has become a very good basketball player in a short amount of time. He continued to grow and probably has a few inches left. He now is maturing and getting stronger. Over the next 2 years, he will be a heavily recruited D1 player.
Josh Mervis – 5’11”; prolific scorer; great 3-point shooter, very fast, quickest first step, extremely athletic; 43″ vertical; dunks easily; and plays physical. Many have said he is the best guard in the state.
Marquis Todd – 5’9″ PG; The best PG. I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else. Shoots over 40% from 3’s; extremely fast; crazy handles; strong; very athletic; and outstanding in a pick-n-roll offense.
Seniors
Shawn Mervis – 6’2″ PG; great shooter; unguardable mid-range pull-up shot; great handles; strong; 175 lbs of muscle; fast; very high basketball IQ; the best I’ve seen in transition; and outstanding in a pick-n-roll offense. The best PG in the Peoria area by far. His AAU coaches have loved him. Shawn was off your radar because he had tendinitis in his shooting elbow his Junior year (in June) and is finally now back to 100%.
Isaiah Brown – 6’6″ athlete; shoots well; good handles; do-it-all type of player.
All of my players have to excel in the classroom. So, recruiting them academically will not be an issue.
What PrepHoops Circuit Events will you be competing in?
Kansas City Live (Kansas City)
Hard Work Live (Chicago)
Battle at the Lakes (Minneapolis)
Show Me Showdown (St. Louis)
Grit Region Finals (Indianapolis)