As the men's basketball team at Hopewell High School (Hopewell, VA) reflects on their previous season, they most likely will acknowledge that it concluded with a lot of promise moving forward. The team finished with an overall record of 22-4 and took home the regional championship. Although standout players like Faizohn Taylor and the Jefferson brothers, Malik and Jalen, graduated, several important pieces return. Senior Izeah Parker has committed to Coppin State and seems more than ready to dominate his last season. Bouncy junior forward Antwone Blackwell is maturing as an upperclassmen and sophomore LaMonta Ellis now returns with a year of varsity experience. Ellis has a chance to prove himself as the team's best defender.

Even with all of this talent, many eyes will center on sophomore Elvin Edmonds IV, who showed the most potential last year as a freshman by leading the team in scoring with 18.3 ppg. Recognized as one of the top 2021 prospects in Virginia, the 6'2' combo guard now realizes that teams will have much focus on him during the next few seasons. Things of that nature do not faze him, however. He's been mentally and physically prepared for this moment; a lot of which stems from his father and Hopewell's head coach, Elvin Edmonds III.

Personally, I've always been intrigued by genetic influence on athletic performance. I don't know the exact numbers or anything, but studies show a great percentage of parents' athletic genes pass down to their children. This occurs generation after generation and some notable family trees have a history of great athletes. Consider the Curry family (Steph Curry), for example. One can trace Elvin's athletic success back to his parents' earlier hooping days.

'I played at Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia,' Coach Edmonds explained. 'It actually closed down a few years ago but was a Division II school in the CIAA conference.'

Coach Edmonds met his future wife at Saint Paul's, who played on the women's team. After the conclusion of his playing career, Coach Edmonds decided to head into the direction of coaching. He's been on the Hopewell basketball staff for the last decade.

'This upcoming season will be my third year as the head coach; been here at Hopewell for about ten years now. I was an assistant at first but stumbled across the opportunity of taking the head job once the former coach left. I got approached by others about it and, of course, being a head coach has always been a goal of mine. So, here I am.'

The passion for the game fed off on his only son early. Elvin first started playing as a second-grader. Fast forward to today, he stands as a strong, intelligent, and skilled guard who can shoot it from anywhere on the floor. Most will probably agree he's one of the better shooters in the region. Elvin's complete game has attracted the attention of college coaches already; VCU, Old Dominion, James Madison, Winthrop, and Hampton have all offered. He's also seen interest from Oklahoma State, University of Virginia, Rice, and George Washington. As a former college player, Coach Edmonds aims to use his own experience in emphasizing the correct way to approach the game and life.

'I try to teach Elvin and all of my players that, even with their talent, there's so much more to how you carry yourself in life. It's not all about being good basketball players' but being good men. High character, being dependable, and all of those other traits that make you successful in this world. So, yes, just trying to teach them life skills along with basketball skills.'

The lessons undoubtedly have resonated well with the Hopewell players. They carry themselves in a very professional manner at all times when present in the classroom and on the court. Having been coached by his dad all of his life, Elvin knows what to expect.

'Playing for my dad is fun,' the young guard stated, with a grin. 'It has its ups and downs for the most part but it's really good in allowing our relationship to grow stronger.'

In all sports, athletes realize how playing underneath their own parent may come with issues. Nothing can prevent it; it's an aspect that has gone on for years and may never change. The unfortunate side of things involves the player and/or parent receiving backlash from others for various reasons. We've all witnessed remarks such as, the son gets to take the most shot attempts only because his dad's the coach, or something to that extent. Even if the child proves himself as the best player on the team coached by the parent, criticism may still surface from jealously or whatever other reason. Regardless, the Edmonds understand this and brush it off.

'Well, I've been coaching Elvin since the third grade so obviously I've come across some comments here and there that all parent-coaches go through; it happens,' Coach Edmonds admitted. 'But, Elvin makes it easy on me because he's a hard-worker and plays the game smartly. It's kind of difficult for anyone to deny that. With him doing those things, it makes it easy to coach your own child. It's a blessing.'

Both the father and son do not have time for talk from outsiders. As a role model, Coach Edmonds feels he has a responsibility to help his group of guys get the most out of their student-athlete experiences at Hopewell. Meanwhile, Elvin has his sights on improving every day to become a bigger threat on the hardwood.

'With the coaching aspect, as you get older, you learn how the same things that make people successful in life, translate onto the court,' Coach Edmonds expressed. 'Like I said earlier, being a leader, dependable, committed, having a work ethic. Those are the things I'm working to instill in my players and children. It's important to learn them in high school now so that you'll bring those same traits with you to college and afterwards in the adult world.'

A bona-fide gym rat, Elvin arrives to the court every day with some clear focal points in mind.

'Right now, I'm working to become more aggressive, a better communicator on both sides of the ball, and just an all-around better vocal leader. I want to win a state championship before I leave here' I think there's only been one in our school's history.'

With opportunities for more college programs to start knocking on the Edmonds' door due to Elvin's steady improvement, Coach Edmonds assures he will always be of assistance whenever his son needs some advice on how to handle the recruitment process.

'Elvin's a humble kid. He definitely appreciates the attention but never lets any type of notoriety go to his head; he's always been fairly even-keeled. I try to teach him that it's great and fine to get excited about schools reaching out but just still know that the most important thing is continuing to put in the work and achieve your own ultimate goals. He has a stoic personality, so the whole process of recruitment comes pretty easy.'

So' what's life like in the Edmonds' household when they're not engaged in the high school basketball environment'

'Um' basketball, basketball, and more basketball,' Coach Edmonds detailed. 'My wife and I both coach. Elvin and my girls all play so it never really ends in our house. If we're not in the gym, we're either discussing or watching it. Sometimes, if we have any downtime, we play a lot of board games, card games, things like that. We're pretty much a tight-knit family. I guess that's one challenge for Elvin in me being his coach. He really never gets a break from basketball. But, I think that's what helps him with his IQ.'

While basketball is big in the family, one may find it interesting that the father and son have never played 1v1 in the backyard.

'I want to keep my record intact,' Coach said, with a laugh.

With clear visions and hard work, expect the Edmonds to keep the ball rolling at Hopewell.

Oh, and where does Elvin see himself in ten years'

'Ten years from now' I see myself in the NBA, hopefully.'

 

 

'It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.' ' Unknown Author