Demeir Pollard 6’3 185 2024 Landstown High School (VA) / Wave Basketball Club
Demeir is a natural playmaker with excellent strength and athleticism. A gifted scorer with a great understanding of the game and superb decision-making skills. He has a strong frame and powerful legs which allows him to appear on balance at all times. He has a nice mix of power and shifty playmaking skills and changes speed nicely. More of a downhill guard, Demeir uses jabs effectively and a strong burst. Once he has you on his hip it’s over as he is so strong and he attacks space so emphatically.
He has excellent footwork and he is always surveying the defense looking to create for teammates as well. Demeir is an excellent finisher as his combination of creativity, touch and physicality allow him to get his shot off over bigger defenders. His ability to be physical yet shifty and quick-footed is a nice asset but Demeir’s shot-making skills are most impressive! He is one of the better shooters in the area! He has the ability to fill it up from deep and I saw three or four games this summer where he hit 3 or more three-pointers both of the catch and shoot variety and stepping in off the dribble. Most of his offensive production comes in the mid-range where he is absolutely sensational! He compliments his ability to get to the rim with a skillfully executed and quick pull-up jumper. He creates space with his strong frame but also with his ability to stop on a dime and elevate. His shot mechanics are textbook! He elevates nicely, has a high fluid release allowing him to get his shot off against taller defenders and he has a deft shooting touch. His form is the exact same from every level, so disciplined, mature, and confident a shooter.
Also a threat off the ball where he again uses his strength and instincts to get open. His footwork and shot preparation are sound and he has a quick release. Demeir is so comfortable operating in traffic he is undeterred by physical defenders as he more than matches their physical play but he’s also very skilled and crafty both handling the ball and in his off-ball movements. A savvy shot creator. Excellent in pick and roll as he makes quick reads, has excellent vision and passing skills. Demeir defends multiple positions as his sound footwork, athleticism, and strength combined with a desire to be a lockdown defender. Some players can shut down their opponent when they’re locked in but Demeir shuts his guy down because he defends with a chip on his shoulder, all the time! He is strong and has excellent mechanics but he holds himself accountable on both ends. It’s the culture of growing up in a family of elite-level basketball players. Demeir’s older brother Demetrius was a 1,000 point scorer and an all-state guard on a national power at Virginia Beach Cape Henry Collegiate School. Demetrius went on to star at Northeastern University and then Charleston Southern. He has two sisters who also starred locally in basketball. Nakaila Pollard also starred at Cape Henry Collegiate and Nyla Pollard starred at state power Princess Anne High School before enjoying a solid career at William & Mary where she still ranks among the school’s all-time assist leaders.
Demeir brings that same elite level of talent, sound skills, and that winning culture and work habits he grew up around in a family of high achieving student-athletes both on and off the court. He plays alongside one of the nation’s most highly sought-after recruiting targets at Landstown High School 2022 Donald Hand, Jr but make no mistake about it Demeir is more than ready and capable of being a go-to scorer at the high school level right now! Demeir’s AAU coach Daniel Diaz contributed largely to this article. Coach Diaz is considered one of the areas top skills development coaches and he speaks so highly of Demeir’s high character and relentless work ethic. “Demeir always wants to come in early or stay late and put extra work in and will even call to see when he can get in the facility to get some work in. He often rushes over from his practices at Landstown High School so that he can make our workouts and practices. The love of the game is there and his recent development is a byproduct of his work ethic” adds Coach Diaz. I have no doubt but that he will successfully follow in the footsteps of his high-achieving brother and sisters. He will be one of the top prospects in Virginia’s 2024 class!