This past year was a big year for the Bella Vista Prep program. Not only did they bring two of the top players from the 2020 and 2021 class in 6-foot-5 wing Addison Patterson and 6-foot point guard Zion Harmon, but their marquee 6-foot-6 2020 shooting guard Terry Armstrong would commit to Arizona during the season.
As if that was not enough, the Bears would take the trip to Kentucky for the Grind Session World Championships and came back home to Scottsdale, Arizona with the trophy.
A part of that team was an X-Factor type of guard on a team full of high-major prospects. The kid that you almost forget would hit a big 3 or make a pass that led to a big bucket. Or may be it was his high basketball IQ that would put him in the right place to make a big defensive play.
The X-Factor I am referring to is Toronto, Canada native, 6-foot-4 2020 guard Brandyn Talbot. The talented and tough-as-nails combo guard is currently traveling the Adidas Gold Gauntlet with Canada Grassroots and had a great showing this past weekend in Dallas. Many coaches I talked to were very interested and intrigued with Brandyn and wanted to get involved in his recruitment. The first to pull the trigger was UTEP, who offered him yesterday.
I have spoken to Program Director Kyle Weaver and Assistant Coach Dylan Gilless numerous times about Brandyn and every time they are very pleased with not only the player, but the kid that he brings to the program. He is one of the more liked and supported kids on the team. And how can you not like him? He plays the game the right way and plays hard. He is unselfish but still has the confidence to put the ball in the hoop. He shoots the ball very well and has a playmaking gene in his DNA somewhere. He defends and hustles and is one of the more coach able kids you will run across.
The UTEP offer should just be a first of many to come as he moves forward in the spring and summer before putting on a Bella Vista jersey for the last time this upcoming high school season. With the departure of four starters and a couple role players, we should see him on the floor much more.
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