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Nationally-ranked Romeo Weems of New Haven could be next big thing in 2019 class (Story Below Pictures)

7/28/2016

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(Jared Purcell | japurcell@mlive.com)

MILFORD, MI -- Out of about the 100 high school basketball players that were in attendance at the Reaching Higher basketball camp at Milford High School this July, there was player in particular that was getting attention as college scouts silently roamed the sidelines watching him.
That athlete was Romeo Weems.

Standing 6-feet-6, Weems is used to getting attention. Last year with New Haven, he burst onto the prep basketball scene by averaging 16.1 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Along the way, he had four triple doubles. What makes his stats all the more impressive is that he was only a 14-year-old freshman last season. Yet, some people are already pegging him as Michigan's Mr. Basketball winner in 2019.

Weems' abilities at his young age have scouts raving about what he brings to the floor. With experience at ever spot on the floor, Weem's skill and versatility have him ranked as the No. 13 recruit in the 2019 class, according to ESPN, which has given him a five-star rating as well.

Recent five-star recruits produced by the state of Michigan include Josh Jackson -- the nation's top 2016 recruit who spent his final two prep years in California -- and James Young of Rochester, who was a one-and-done at Kentucky before getting drafted by the Celtics.

Could Weems really live up to the hype? Is he the next great athlete when it comes to basketball talent in Michigan? New Haven coach Tedaro France certainly thinks so.

"He's a great, great talent and a special kid," France said. "The sky is the limit for him. With him, he continues to get better day by day. If he continues to work and he continues to get better, he's going to do great things."
Weems is not oblivious to the hype that surrounds him, either. He knows exactly what he brings to the court, which is a bit of everything.

"Hustle, rebounds, blocks and then my shot development," Weems said. "I can step out and shoot the 3-pointer now. I can dribble, push, get the rebound and go -- and I'm 6-6."

In reality, it is still early in Weems' prep basketball journey. Having just turned 15 in June, he is still waiting on his first college offer. In fact, scouts are still trying to figure out whether or not to call him a guard or a small forward. Weems occasionally calls himself a small forward prefers being called a wing player in general.

"At the wing, I feel like I can excel more," Weems said. "I have the ball in my hands more than if I was at the post. You can move more ... You get on the wing, you can drive, attack, kick it or get the layup. I don't think too many people can stay in front of me."

Despite the hype, rankings, attention and so on, Weems does not have a lot to say about the spotlight. When basketball is the topic of conversation, however, Weems immediately becomes more engaged in the conversation.

"I just feel like, whenever I get on the court, I'll outwork everybody and play hard," Weems said. "I stand out because, if you’re the hardest one working out there on the court, you stand out."
For Weems, it is more about the walk on the court than the talk off of it.

"(Ranked) one, 10, 100 — I'm going to be the same guy," Weems said. "Play and work the same, I'm going to be in the gym every day, the same way."

The Complete Package

As an AAU football player in fifth grade, Weems made his way to the court for the first time the summer before sixth grade when his football teammates got a basketball team together. All it took was one game against The Family -- a program that carries a prestigious reputation on the AAU basketball circuit -- for Reems' talent to be noticed.

By the summer after his sixth grade year, Weems joined The Family AAU program and has not looked back. Since then, he has been able to rub shoulders with the likes of Jackson and recent Michigan State signees Miles Bridges and Cassius Winston. He also likes to hang out with current three-star Michigan target Jamal Cain of Detroit Cornerstone as well.

As he watched the best, he learned from them as well, always trying to apply what he can to his own skill set. Last year, he put his skills and knowledge on display when he led New Haven to a 22-3 record, losing in the Class B quarterfinals to eventual state champion Detroit Henry Ford.

"People come up to me and ask me, 'he's only 14?'" France said. "To be 14, his IQ of the game is so high. When you're 14 and the leader of your team, a freshman, that shows a lot about his character and who he is. He really was a key leader to our team."

Naturally, some schools have already reached out to France with interest in Weems, including Michigan, Michigan State, Oakland, Ohio State and Xavier. As far as getting Weems to admit a school of preference or a school he is a fan of, he had an unexpected answer.

"I don't even watch college basketball," Weems said, admitting that he tends to only watch NBA and is a big LeBron James fan. In fact, Weems wears No. 23 when playing at New Haven because of James, not Michael Jordan.

However, with so many of his older peers at the next level, he thinks his basketball TV viewership will extend to college play.

"I'll watch it this year, though, because of (Michigan) State," Weems said. "Miles and Cassius playing -- I like Josh too so I'll watch Kansas."

Eventually, Weems is hoping to get offers across the country but he also hopes that the in-state schools are a part of it. Yet, is Weems prepared for a potential rush of offers from across the country?
"I don't know," Weems admitted.

However much the spotlight grows on Weems, however, France believes that his rising star will be able to handle it.
​
"He's a very, very humble kid," France said. "You ask him if he's good and he'll say no, that he's got to keep working. You can tell by how much time he continues to put in at the gym. For me, to see a kid get that much attention now, he's very, very humble. His parents do a great job of keeping him grounded. He's just a kid that doesn't just care about himself."
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2017 6-4 Guard Eric Williams Shoots to Top at Reaching Higher Camp (Story Below Pictures)

7/26/2016

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Eric Rutter
@ErutterTodaysU
​
Taking the court just under two weeks ago at the Reaching Higher top-100 camp, senior guard Eric Williams Jr., a player hailing from New Haven (Mich.) High School, played with a confident demeanor throughout the day. Teaming up with high school teammate Romeo Weems did not hurt matters, but Williams put together one of the top performances at the camp.


Showing an ability to find his own shot, Williams is a prototypical off guard in the sense that he has a natural scoring ability and touch around the rim. He has a quick release on his shot and it’s a smooth, fluid motion void of any hitches. At the camp, Williams excelled on offense with or without the basketball, and the talented senior prospect played trusty, stingy defense to boot.

Tedaro France, head coach at New Haven, has observed Williams over the past several seasons. Williams’ performance was the product of his hard work and effort to improve, acting as a smooth extension to a dominant junior campaign.

“Eric Williams Jr had a great season for us last year,” France said. “He lead our team in scoring and was second in steals and assist. He also lead our team in three point shots made with 48. A left handed shooting guard who at 6-foot-4 is versatile enough to play multiple positions. He plays point guard, shooting guard and small forward for us. The position he will most likely play in college is shooting guard.”

On the collegiate recruiting front, Williams is hearing from a number of schools, such as American University, Holy Cross, Boston University and wealth of Division-II schools. While Williams is a talented athlete and prolific scorer, what makes him such an intriguing prospect for many colleges is his character.

“Eric also has a very high basketball IQ on top of having a great skill set and work ethic,” France said. “He never misses a weight training session or basketball workout. Eric is a great shooter off the dribble or catch which makes he very dangerous combined with his ability to create with the ball in his hands. After a great high school season and great summer AAU season Eric is being recruited heavily by several Division-I colleges.”

During the 2015-16 season at New Haven, Williams racked up 17.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.5 assists per game as he led a talented team in scoring. This year, France expects Williams to add onto his high-scoring junior season as a piece on a deep team, one which includes sophomore sensation Romeo Weems.

“I think we have a good group back,” France said. “We had a very young team last year and we only lost 3 seniors. We will not be as big, but I think we have the potential to be better. The experience of last season and this summer will play great dividends for our team in the winter. We have had several kids step up during the summer, such as Tavares Oliver, Ashton Sherrell, Ronald Jeffery, William Moore and Alex Palajac.”
​

With those players helping to provide support for Williams and Weems, New Haven has the chance to make a deep run in the postseason during the winter.
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2019 6-6 Guard Romeo Weems Exudes Potential at Top-100 Reaching Higher Camp

7/25/2016

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Eric Rutter
@ErutterTodaysU

​
The Reaching Higher showcase in Milford (Michigan) Highlands High School pits the state’s top talents against each other in a three-hour camp designed to foster competition and learning. At this year’s camp, several players displayed high levels of potential and skill, but none as much as New Haven’s Romeo Weems.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds, Weems is a rare case in that he can check all the boxes for a wing player. Weems can handle the ball, distribute it to open teammates, and score when needed on offense, but his length also stifles many opponents when he plays defense. Last season, Weems registered a double-double average with 16.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 4 steals.

Today’s U caught up with his coach, Tedaro France, to touch base on what makes Weems such a rare talent.
“Romeo at 6-6 can do it all. He played all five positions for us last year. He lead our team in assist, steals and rebounds. Offensively he can do so much. He can handle the ball like a point guard creating for himself or setting up teammates off the dribble.

He can step out and knock down the three point shot, and he is excellent at getting out and running the wing slashing to the basket. He is a match up problem for many defenders. He is quick and fast enough to play guard but big and strong enough to play in the post. Putting both those together with his skill set is a very tough outing for opponents.”


Ranked as the top player in the state of Michigan for the class of 2019, Weems is a high-profile prospect whose talent is unmistakable. With a versatile skill set and the length to fill multiple roles, Weems has options. France discussed where he sees Weems playing in college.

“The position I see him playing in college is the 2-3 positions, shooting guard and small forward,” France said. “I also see him playing the 1 and 4 positions with him being able to create mismatches and defend bigger opponents with his size and athleticism.”

On the recruiting trail, France says Weems is being recruited heavily by Xavier, Michigan, Michigan State and Texas Tech, a contingent of high Division I programs. While Weems is a clear-cut blue-chip recruit based on physical talent alone, his competitive drive and willingness to learn make him an important recruit for many schools across the country.

“Romeo has a very high basketball IQ and a great feel for the game,” France said. “He is a great leader both on and off the floor and has the ability to make everyone around him better. Being ranked 13th in the country by ESPN or being ranked No. 1 in his class in Michigan has not stopped him from putting in hard work each and every day.

​ He is a very humble kid who is a tireless worker in the gym and weight room. He is one of the most coachable and humblest kids I have ever coached. He is a great teammate and fierce competitor.”


Although Weems is an exceptional talent on the basketball court, he is a two-sport athlete who will play quarterback for his New Haven team this season.

“I had the opportunity to watch him play football last season for the Macomb County Cowboys,” France said. “He is a great football player! I think any sport he decides to play he will be great at it due to his great athleticism and competitive spirit.”

Weems showed an extremely high ceiling at the top-100 camp, and he is already becoming a national recruit. New Haven is a school that has successfully produced Division I athletes in recent times, and Weems seems to be next in line.
​

The Reaching Higher camp wasn’t just a label — it appears to be exactly what Romeo Weems is doing.
Look for Weems to continue his ascent up the national rankings over his remaining high school seasons.
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