Twitter & Instagram: @huncho_soto
It's always satisfying to come across players who know how to 'trust the process,' as NBA all-star Joel Embiid would say. Yes, the term has become a bit more clich' ever since the Philadelphia 76ers started to market the term more and more to the point that it now serves as the team's main slogan. Some don't favor the term, as they feel it just substitutes as an excuse. Regardless, I, along with others I've spoken with, all see the phrase highly relevant for most high school players in today's age. Worries about receiving recognition and/or college interest/offers can lead to an athlete getting off track with focusing on what's most important: putting in the gym work. The ones who learn to keep faith in their own process and stay grounded have high chances of attaining their dreams. This notion plays as a primary reason to why I have a lot of respect for Johnny Soto '20 of the Royals' basketball squad at Prince George High School. Holding values of hard work and conscientiousness, the level-headed guard knows what steps to take in reaching his next-level goals.
Coming from a military family, Soto started his high school career up in New York at Indian River High School (Philadelphia, NY) before coming down to Prince George County this past school year.
'Yes, I've been a varsity player all of my (high school) career so far,' the 5'10 combo guard explained. 'I definitely had some nerves coming into my freshmen season but was blessed to get some good playing time during that year up in New York. When I wasn't on the court, I just made sure to observe everything going on and taking it all in. That helped me a lot and I actually ended up starting towards the end of the season, including the playoffs.'
When he arrived to the Royals' program in 2017, Soto soon realized that he would have to take more of a back seat to some veterans.
'When I came here, I had a chance to connect with Tevin Tucker ('18), a great point guard who's been here at the school all four years. Since he played as a starting senior guard, I just tried to learn from him as much as possible; especially about the tradition of this program. Aside from just basketball, him and the other seniors last year all showed me how much the team values loyalty and being close-knit like a family.'
With Soto added to the bunch, the varsity group went on to make a name for themselves throughout last season. They finished with an overall record of 14-9 before losing to Varina High School (the eventual state champions) in the quarterfinals of the VHSL Class 5 Region B state tournament.
'Personally, I feel last season went well. Our main goal last year was to make the playoffs. We gave Varina a tough fight and only lost by four. Obviously, they went on to win the state championship, but I feel that if we had two more minutes than things would've had a chance to be in our favor. It's just something we have to learn from going into this season.'
After the winter season ended, Soto prepared to make a statement this past summer but unfortunately came across a big roadblock along the way.
'I played AAU with Team Flight; it was our first year all playing together. I only had the opportunity to play two tournaments with the team before I sprained my ankle. High ankle sprain; took me out for two months. So, that was pretty much my summer. Just rehabbing from that injury. I plan on playing with the team again this summer and feel we can really do something.'
Before going down with the ankle injury, Soto also participated with the Royals in the annual L.C. Bird Summer League. Prince George went on to have a notable run to the semifinals and Soto put on a productive showing each game. He earned 'Player of the Game' honors for Game 5 after his team took down Manchester High School.
'We played well in that league; I could definitely see some growth within our team. One of the main things I noticed was how we played better as a run-and-gun type of offense. We have good athletic tools to run the floor, play man-to-man defense, and press. We should be able to run with these other teams for all four quarters. Some of our guys look more than ready to show out this season.'
Soto's IQ and maturity in his game should make him more than a handful for other opposing guards around the area all season long. He possesses several intangibles that any coach would greatly treasure, such as on-court communication, thinking a play ahead, and consistent encouragement. Still, I feel his ability to make others better truly makes him special, currently. He plays with a 'herky jerky' type of style and seems to relish operating as a 'pass first' guard. Finding open teammates under the rim and/or in the corner for spot-up shots comes naturally for him. His ability to get paint touches and draw defenders makes him a constant threat in racking up assists. When the passing opportunity does not appear, Soto can use his separation game to create his own shot.
'Right now, I think my Achilles heel has to be my three-point shot. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. After I came back from the summer injury, I just stayed in the gym all day long; getting reps after reps. I honestly take the most pride in my mid-range jump shot. I love the pull-up and feel that all true point guards need to have that in their game. It makes you able to get a bucket at any point, pretty much at will.'
While his impressive skill set more than speaks for itself, the junior has yet to pull in any college offers. He's done all of the necessary work in continuing to get better daily and produce highlight tapes but recognizes how a certain approach must also surface moving forward.
'Since I'm not crazy talented in one particular skill or freakishly strong/tall, I feel the biggest thing I need to show to college coaches is my IQ. That's the way I like to play the game; most know me as a guy who'll always pass first. Doing small details in facilitating a team will stand out because not every player wants to do those specific little things. IQ will take you a long way and makes up for a lack of other crazy physical gifts.'
Along with his basketball intellect, Soto's remarkable school GPA may also jump out to catch the attention of college coaches.
'Right now, I have around an overall 4.2. It's something I've been working on since freshmen year. I just had to ask myself, 'ok, what's the next best way to maximize my potential to reach the next level'' People recommended me to get my grades up. I've just been putting in the work to see it increase every year. I fully plan on getting it up to a 4.5 or 4.6 by my senior year. My favorite subject would have to be this entrepreneurship course I'm currently in.'
The passion for succeeding in the classroom appears just as evident compared to that of his love for the game. When he's not playing ball, Soto has a hard time trying to find enjoyment in other activities.
'If I'm not playing ball competitively for the school, then you'll probably catch me playing a lot of street ball. My life really revolves around basketball. If I'm not playing it then I'm probably watching NBA games or playing NBA 2k. I honestly don't do much besides that. My life's pretty simple.'
That drive to live as a gym rat suits well with the chip on Soto's shoulder in his approach to this winter. His other teammates all most likely contain that similar feeling of Prince George being overlooked.
'Looking at it in a certain way, people could say how this year's Prince George team hasn't done anything. We had five senior starters all graduate last year so you could give that playoff run to them. We're not known and the underdogs so we can't come into game trying to act cool. We need to play hard and do what it takes to win. I know we're a young team but other teams in the area have a lot of youth also; we're not the only team that lost a lot of people. We don't have to settle for a rebuilding year or anything like that; we have the talent.'
Rest assured, the junior guard's leadership and business manner will fuel the talented Royals squad for these incoming months of high school hoops. Talent stretches all over the roster and a true floor general in Soto will clean things up whenever lapses start to take place. Every talented team needs that one guy who can dictate the pace with poise.
Now then, where does Johnny Soto see himself in ten years'
'Honestly, I can see myself playing basketball at the college level but I've realized how my passion to play in the NBA isn't really there. I also had to be real with myself in acknowledging how I don't have the gifts of other NBA players. In the next ten years, I can see myself running my own business, creating my own product, maybe. I'd also love to be a coach or trainer. I'd want to share what I've learned from the game with other players.'
Others should take notice in how Soto stays disciplined, humble, hungry, and 'trusts the process.' A breakout season is bound to happen in Prince George, VA!