
www.thetimesherald.com
Romeo Weems is having a great weekend. The rising junior at New Haven High School is only 15 years old, but is already having life-changing experiences.
He has spent the weekend in Argentina, playing on the United States 16-and-under national team. On Friday, Weems had 12 points and 11 rebounds in a 127-52 victory over Mexico.
He also received news that he had been offered by the University of Michigan. That's in addition to offers he has already received from Michigan State, Ohio State and Missouri, among others.
"He has been playing great basketball," New Haven coach Tedaro France said. "I am so proud to see him excelling on a world stage. He is showcasing to the world what we all know here in Michigan and in the Midwest. He has worked so hard to get better every day to put himself in position to make the team and he not only made the team, he is a starter on the USA Team.
"What a testimony for a kid that works so hard and now is showing the world that hard works pays off. He is not only an excellent basketball player. he is a great kid and a great leader with strong character. This experience playing against and with the best in the world will definitely be an asset for his growth as a player and as a leader. The knowledge and experiences he will bring back will pay great dividends for him, his teammates and our program."
Weems averaged 18.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals, 3.6 assists and 3.2 blocks per game while leading New Haven to a state title and 27-1 record.
He is currently the top-ranked player in the state of Michigan for the 2019 class and is ranked No. 48 in the country by Scout and No. 84 by 247Sports.
Those accolades are amazing in their own right, but still fail to compare with the opportunity to play on the U.S. team as one of the 12 best players in his age group.
"All of this impacts our kids and program in a great way," France said. "It creates opportunities not only for Romeo but for all of our student-athletes and is great for our school and community.
"It also assures us that we are doing some great things here developing our kids for the next level both mentally and physically, and preparing and teaching life lessons through the game of basketball so that they are not only successful on the court but also in the classroom, community and everyday life."