By MATT WHITFIELD
HYATTSVILLE, Md. — A Class of 2018 small forward who plays for perennial power Fairfax (VA) Paul VI, Brandon Slater is garnering interest from numerous high-major programs.
Slater is solid inside the paint whether he’s driving in traffic to the hoop or grabbing a rebound. He also is a good athlete with a good handle. He was impressive on Saturday at the National High School Hoops Festival at DeMatha Catholic and drew praise from college coaches in the crowd as he had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in Paul VI’s 72-56 win over Pebblebrook.
“I’m a tough, gritty player that’s kind of unselfish,” he said. “Sometimes they yell at me to shoot the ball more. I like to pass a lot. I like to get my teammates involved. I just like to bring the energy.”
BGB™ pic.twitter.com/nRyA5CFuQP
— Brandon Slater (@CleanSlaaate_) December 13, 2016
Right now has a good list of high-majors up the Eastern seaboard recruiting him with that list only growing.
“Right now I got UVA, Maryland, South Carolina, Miami, Villanova,” he said. “Kansas is a new school. I also have West Virginia, UCF and a couple other schools.”
Kansas reached out to Paul VI Coach Glenn Farello regarding Slater last week, but Farello said that Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Miami and Villanova have been the most consistent.
“B’s growth has coincided with his approach to the game,” Farello said. “He understands he can impact the game in so many ways . He leads the team in deflections, steals, floor dives and rebounds. Oh, and scoring too. But instead of having a score-first mentality he is just trying to make impactful winning plays and the scoring just comes naturally. ”
Slater loves to play hard.
“I got to get my shot more consistent but more importantly I got to crash the glass every play,” he said. “Play hard every play. Attack every play defensively and offensively and always have that positive attitude.”
Slater and his team are a lot of fun to watch as they play with a lot of unselfishness.
“If I’m not scoring or anything I’m going to still be there on defense,” he said. “I’m going to bring the presence as I’m glad to help my teammates. I just have that in me where I want to win no matter what.”
Slater and his Paul VI team always have a tough WCAC schedule and this year also face Roselle (N.J.) Catholic, Bishop Loughlin (N.Y.), and Neumann-Goretti (PA).
“I just love basketball,” he said. “I love playing.”
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