Demarcus Shepard 6’3 175 2019 Western Branch High School (Chesapeake VA)
Demarcus is an elite athlete with powerful legs and a long wingspan. He has a 40”+ vertical, explosive quickness and lateral mobility and is a high IQ defensive player. A track star in Western Branch High School’s nationally recognize track program Demarcus brings to the court the cat-like explosive starts and stops and end to end quickness that allows him to make plays all over the floor on both ends of the court. Defensively he is the best in the 757! A versatile defender who can defend both perimeter positions exceptionally well and can defend every position at the high school level effectively. He is a lockdown on ball defender who makes ball handlers give the ball up and keeps teams from running what they want to run. Also uses his long wingspan and active hands to tip passes both on ball and while patrolling passing lanes. Demarcus is a threat to pick off any pass and turn it into a fast break basket as he anticipates well and explodes to the ball for steals. Has the ability to bait opponents into making passes and then jumping the passing lane for steals. He rebounds both ends using not only his tremendous jumping ability and long arms but a strong, durable frame and quick elevation, and the hunger to outwork opponents for the basketball! He is a heady player who plays within a team concept. He defends, he makes the extra pass, he crashes the glass, he has a terrific basketball IQ, and his attitude is a coach’s dream. He is a highly regarded teammate with great work ethic and a glowing personality.
Demarcus handles the ball well, won’t wow you with ball handling wizardry but he’s solid and sure. He uses his body exceptionally well to shield the ball and exploits his rangy strides to create some good looks for himself around the rim. Demarcus is most effective as a slashing type offensively, quick to attack a seam and capable of finishing above the rim and through contact on non dunk finishes. He’s also an excellent passer on the move and his physical tools allow him to thrive in tight spaces. He can hit the occasional three pointer which keeps defenders honest and also pull up off the drive and knock down the jumper at an efficient rate. Really good flashing or cutting to receive a pass in catch and shoot and has demonstrated some back to the basket ability on duck ins or flashing to the low or mid post area using quick and decisive drop steps and reverse pivots with solid finishing skills. Western Branch has been one of Virginia’s winningest basketball programs over the last 3 or 4 years and Demarcus has played a big role in that success. Likely a scholarship track star competing in the 100, 200, 400 and relays, Demarcus can certainly contribute to a college basketball program especially given his D1 caliber defensive potential! His 4.1 gpa is also an attractive statistic for college coaches.