Next Michael Jordan?

[TCramer]

11-Year-Old / 5th Grade
4'5 Julian Newman
Downey Christian (Florida)

Apparentally the story behind this kid is he's ranked 12th in the state in assists, and plays varsity basetball for Downey Christian (Prep School). He was brought up to varsity after scoring 91 points in three quarters in a middle school game.

Stat line for this year

12.4 points, 11 assists, and 4.3 steals per game.


11-Year-Old 4'5" Basketball Player Schoolin Kids 7 Years Older Than Him! - YouTube

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I saw his game highlights -- he's super quick with great ball-handling, but most of his inside shots get blocked. (Can't really blame him...)

 

[chicago51]

This kid is something. Although by being this good now he is not exactly taking the Jordan path.

Jordan actually didn't even make varsity as a sophmore. While he was highly recruited by time he graduated high school nobody saw as this can't miss player. Even when was college player of the year and went to the pro noboby thought they were looking at an individual that many say is the greatest ever.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

This kid is something. Although by being this good now he is not exactly taking the Jordan path.

Jordan actually didn't even make varsity as a sophmore. While he was highly recruited by time he graduated high school nobody saw as this can't miss player. Even when was college player of the year and went to the pro noboby thought they were looking at an individual that many say is the greatest ever.

In all fairness to his airness, he wasn't on youtube as a young man. That said, this kid is on an upward trajectory. Pointed way, way up.

 

[dudesthisisthebest]

4'5" is still pretty short for a 5th grader. Doubt he gets to Jordan's 6'6".

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Has Bray been in contact w his coach?

 

[dudesthisisthebest]

Has Calipari been in contract w his coach?

FTFY

 

[Buster Bluth]

The world is full of stud athletes that only grow to be 5'10. Pegging him as the next MJ is ludicrous.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J9Nzt2AwYXI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[NDPhilly]

4'5" is still pretty short for a 5th grader. Doubt he gets to Jordan's 6'6".

Pretty much what I was thinking. Kid probably won't even reach 5'10"

 

[scUM Hater]

Here we go. another Michael Jordan reference. Probably another Len Bias.

 

[scUM Hater]

Great competition he is playing against. The opposing team is playing great defense. That must be the top tier size school in florida by the look of the gym.

 

[timm3117]

The world is full of stud athletes that only grow to be 5'10. Pegging him as the next MJ is ludicrous.

Maybe the next Muggsy Bogues.

 

[scUM Hater]

Maybe the next Muggsy Bogues.

If you look closely it is Muggsy.

 

[phork]

There will never be another Jordan.

 

[MaynardVideo]

If he continues playing for a high school, he won't be able to play in high school. One year on his eligibility is already gone. It should be noted the school he's playing for is in an independent league that probably has less talented players than your average CYO team... and being one who played on a state-level quality CYO team, you can see he's playing against absolute scrubs.

 

[Irishnuke]

I've seen a lot of overhyped kids labeled "the next Michael Jordan" and so far I haven't seen "the next Michael Jordan."

 

[NDGirlzRock]

4'5" is still pretty short for a 5th grader. Doubt he gets to Jordan's 6'6".

You do realize that a 5th grader is only 9 years old right? And where he isn't a skyscraper for that age, he's probably about average height. Hell, I dated a guy in middle school that went from 5'3 to 6'3 from the beginning of 7th grade....age 11ish to the middle of 8th grade at 12ish and before you say it, yes I dated a guy! So it is totally doable!

 

[greyhammer90]

Let's count how many upset Bulls fans show up in this thread...

 

[Kak7304]

You do realize that a 5th grader is only 9 years old right? And where he isn't a skyscraper for that age, he's probably about average height. Hell, I dated a guy in middle school that went from 5'3 to 6'3 from the beginning of 7th grade....age 11ish to the middle of 8th grade at 12ish and before you say it, yes I dated a guy! So it is totally doable!

4'5 at that age is more likely to be in the mid 5 ft range by the time he's fully grown. I was over 5 foot at that age and I ended up at 6'3 without having any insane growth spurt. The next generation of bball stars his age are closing in on 6 ft and uncoordinated as they are still growing into their bodies.

As far as his game goes, if I must compare him to an NBA player, since that's what people like to do, he looks more Allen Iverson than anyone else to me. He looks better suited for the AND1 tour than the NBA. I know the kid is playing w/ kids much older and this is overly critical, but that is absolute crap defense.

Another thing to look at is his dad is the coach of the team. I'm making an educated guess that he has one of those kids that was pushed very hard by his father. Hopefully this kid sticks with it and loves the game and does not burn out like many others.

 

[dudesthisisthebest]

You do realize that a 5th grader is only 9 years old right? And where he isn't a skyscraper for that age, he's probably about average height. Hell, I dated a guy in middle school that went from 5'3 to 6'3 from the beginning of 7th grade....age 11ish to the middle of 8th grade at 12ish and before you say it, yes I dated a guy! So it is totally doable!

Well the first post says he is 11 and actually looking it up it says he is about average height for his age, but still the percentage of males that grow up to be 6'4" or taller is less than 1%. I understand he's young, but 6'6" is tall, like really tall. Everyone I knew that got to that height or close was tall throughout their life. So saying its doubtful he reaches 6'6" is probably an understatement.

 

[sparkyND]

What distinguished Michael Jordan was his desire to win/passion/extreme competitiveness in addition to talent. That I think distinguished him from all the other "next Michael Jordans". Just think of his hall of fame speech where he goes on a rant against all those folks who either didn't pick him for whatever reason or simply gave him ammo to burn his competitive fire. I think it is too early to declare someone the next Michael Jordan at such a young age. Who knows, maybe you will only be labeled as such in retrospect.

 

[ND NYC]

If he continues playing for a high school, he won't be able to play in high school. One year on his eligibility is already gone. It should be noted the school he's playing for is in an independent league that probably has less talented players than your average CYO team... and being one who played on a state-level quality CYO team, you can see he's playing against absolute scrubs.

you sure on this?

 

[anarin]

"11-Year-Old 4'5" Basketball..." The YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated due to multiple third-party notifications of copyright infringement.

Sorry about that.

dafuq

 

[Buster Bluth]

This kid is legit. Michigan State has already offered.

 

[dshans]

This kid is legit. Michigan State has already offered.

Just what have they offered???

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

you sure on this?

I guessing he could go play for a prep school.