Joseph Hayes
www.thetimesherald.com
The New Haven High School sophomore accomplished an amazing feat in March when he helped lead the Rockets to a Class B state championship. But recently, he accomplished an even greater achievement, as it was announced he had made the final cut for the United States 16-and-under national team.
Weems, 15, was chosen as one of the top 12 players in his age group and will represent Team USA next week at the International Basketball Federation 16-and-under championships in Argentina.
"It's sweet," Weems said when reached via phone from Colorado Springs where the tryouts were located. "It's been fun being down here competing.
"It's good competition. It's the best in the country and we are competing against the best in the world. I'm not backing down. I can compete with anyone. I'm just playing as hard as I can and giving it my all."
Weems averaged 18.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals, 3.6 assists and 3.2 blocks per game in helping New Haven win the state title with a 27-1 record.
Now he will get an opportunity to further his skills against the best players in the world.
"It's a blessing for him and he's such a great kid," New Haven coach Tedaro France II said. "It shows how hard he has worked. He went there and competed against the best in the country and to be one of the 12 that go and play on the team is huge.
"If you keep God first and work hard, the sky is the limit for what you can do."
France II said Weems never truly took a break away from basketball after the season ended.
"He went from the state title in March to the AAU season that next Tuesday," France II said. "When he comes back he goes to the Top 100 camp in St. Louis and then leaves again and goes to USA basketball.
"He's playing a lot of basketball this summer. He's going to miss some of the team camps with us, but I'm happy for him to have this experience. It will also give a couple players for us more playing time."
France II said he was excited for Weems to have a new experience through basketball and expects it to only help him down the line.
"This is his first time to experience another part of the world," France II said. "It's amazing how playing a sport can open so many doors. I'm excited for him. He's going to go places a lot of people won't go. It's great to see for him."
When Weems does return home, he hopes to find time to visit a couple of schools and further mull his college options. Weems has already been offered by Michigan State University and Ohio State University among others, but interest in him continues to grow by the day.
"I'm going to go on a couple of visits when I get back," Weems said. "I'm going to go and check out a few schools. But's it's exciting to know that free college is coming."
Contact Joseph Hayes at (810) 989-6268 or at jahayes@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Joseph_Hayes11.
www.thetimesherald.com
The New Haven High School sophomore accomplished an amazing feat in March when he helped lead the Rockets to a Class B state championship. But recently, he accomplished an even greater achievement, as it was announced he had made the final cut for the United States 16-and-under national team.
Weems, 15, was chosen as one of the top 12 players in his age group and will represent Team USA next week at the International Basketball Federation 16-and-under championships in Argentina.
"It's sweet," Weems said when reached via phone from Colorado Springs where the tryouts were located. "It's been fun being down here competing.
"It's good competition. It's the best in the country and we are competing against the best in the world. I'm not backing down. I can compete with anyone. I'm just playing as hard as I can and giving it my all."
Weems averaged 18.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals, 3.6 assists and 3.2 blocks per game in helping New Haven win the state title with a 27-1 record.
Now he will get an opportunity to further his skills against the best players in the world.
"It's a blessing for him and he's such a great kid," New Haven coach Tedaro France II said. "It shows how hard he has worked. He went there and competed against the best in the country and to be one of the 12 that go and play on the team is huge.
"If you keep God first and work hard, the sky is the limit for what you can do."
France II said Weems never truly took a break away from basketball after the season ended.
"He went from the state title in March to the AAU season that next Tuesday," France II said. "When he comes back he goes to the Top 100 camp in St. Louis and then leaves again and goes to USA basketball.
"He's playing a lot of basketball this summer. He's going to miss some of the team camps with us, but I'm happy for him to have this experience. It will also give a couple players for us more playing time."
France II said he was excited for Weems to have a new experience through basketball and expects it to only help him down the line.
"This is his first time to experience another part of the world," France II said. "It's amazing how playing a sport can open so many doors. I'm excited for him. He's going to go places a lot of people won't go. It's great to see for him."
When Weems does return home, he hopes to find time to visit a couple of schools and further mull his college options. Weems has already been offered by Michigan State University and Ohio State University among others, but interest in him continues to grow by the day.
"I'm going to go on a couple of visits when I get back," Weems said. "I'm going to go and check out a few schools. But's it's exciting to know that free college is coming."
Contact Joseph Hayes at (810) 989-6268 or at jahayes@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Joseph_Hayes11.
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