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*Photo taken by ‘The Hoop Group’
It took me a while to realize this, around my own college basketball playing days, but it’s amazing how many ways a player can get under an opponent’s skin on the court. Believe it or not, it goes farther than just scoring or defending heavily. Yes, those two areas will always have one of the greatest impacts, undoubtedly, but intelligent prospects often know other methods of outperforming and frustrating the competition. Consider tactics of tiring opposing players by outrunning them, crashing the offensive glass on every possession, and hustling for 50/50 balls. Heck, one can even find an advantage by being the most vocal in the gym; it shows confidence and authority. Posting more points and/or defensive stats over a personal matchup indeed hints at a better individual showing, but there’s nonetheless MUCH more than goes into it. Teams can benefit greatly from having guys who pride themselves in taking on those qualities of an enforcer. Bouncy Richmond, VA product Zy’Ever Wingfield ’20 falls into that category quite nicely. He’s proven to be a constant energizer bunny throughout both high school and travel ball ever since I first scouted him back in December 2018.
Standing at 6’3.5” inches, Wingfield’s lively play makes it so that one can’t help but notice the guard once he steps onto the floor. I remember first seeing him compete for Highland Springs High School (Highland Springs, VA) back in the 2018 ‘Times-Dispatch Invitational’ tournament; an event that brought in noteworthy public and private schools around Richmond. He played pretty well in the team’s run to the tournament’s semifinal round and performed better a little over a month later when the Springers participated in the annual ‘Coaches for the Cure Classic’ (2/2/19), hosted by Team Loaded AAU. Wingfield’s athleticism combines with his great motor to make him an active rebounder and quick finisher at his position. He locks in on whatever assignment tasked with and has a chip on his shoulder that’s easy to spot. I especially like the relentlessness he contains in that on-court demeanor…my Phenom Hoops co-worker, Frank Bennett (aka Coach Frank) and I have witnessed Wingfield put bigger defenders on a poster more than once. He has springs in his legs for thunderous dunks past and/or over unsuspecting opponents.
“When I’m out there playing, I don’t try to force much, if I can help it,” Wingfield noted. “If I get going, I give it my all but I feel one thing I do best is picking my shots on the floor. The one-dribble pull-up has become my bread-and-butter. But, other than that, I just feel I have a lot of energy in everything: running, scoring, defending, and making plays.”
Playing on the talented roster of Team Richmond Garner Road Elite 17u (TRGR) this past travel season saw the senior gain greater knowledge of the game and more comfort in his own abilities. I watched TRGR, coached by Collegiate School (Richmond, VA) varsity head coach Del Harris, play a few times and noticed how really well they could turn it up once everyone began to connect on all cylinders. As a reserve, Wingfield stood out in every appearance I saw from him this summer. His approach to uniquely finding a way to give TRGR a boost in different contributions served as a daily goal throughout his last go-around of summer ball.
“I went into this team with a mindset of just continuing to be active as much as I could. I also wanted to learn how to use picks the right way, score off of the ball, and use defense as momentum. Defense is a big part of my game that I pay attention to. I think learning under Coach Del (Harris) helped me get much better.”
A key example of Wingfield’s ‘spark plug value’ happened in TRGR’s last tournament of the summer: the ‘Hoop Group DC Jam Fest’ (7/20 – 7/21). In their second to last game, the team found themselves in a big hole, being close to a halftime deficit of 30 points. Having struggled with early foul trouble, Wingfield checked back into the second half, completely on a mission. He scored 20+ points and, with assistance from teammates Mac Macdonald ’21, Jahme Ested ’20, and others, helped bring TRGR back into it. They would still end up losing, by only four points, but the monumental turn-around showed what Wingfield absolutely is capable of delivering. Not a bad way to round out one’s AAU career.
When I describe Wingfield’s approach to the game as ‘unique,’ it’s not solely based on the way he plays but I also consider how he studies the tendencies of other surrounding teammates and opponents. Before games tip off, he’ll more than likely already enough about what a player does or doesn’t do well on the hardwood.
“As far as those guys I played with and against in AAU, I know I’ll see most of them again in the high school regular season. That helps me know how they prefer to play; it could be driving mostly to their right, for example. For me, I try to observe a lot when I play. I look at players’ deficiencies and strengths. Playing pickup with most guys around the area gives me an idea of their best attributes in basketball. I use that as an advantage once the season rolls around.”
This 2019-20 high school season will not only feature Wingfield as a more mature player but also in a new uniform. Recently, he made the decision to attend Henrico High School (Henrico, VA) for his senior year and will officially enroll on September 13th. Finishing at an 18-5 clip in 2018-19, I saw the Warriors play a couple of times last winter and also witnessed them put on one of the best team performances in Coach Frank and I’s coverage of the 2019 ‘ASSIST East Coast High School Team Camp’ the other weekend (8/24). They have play at an effective fast-pace and turn defense into offense; something I could see Wingfield seamlessly fitting into. He did not participate in the team camp but undoubtedly contains eagerness to join the strong public school program.
“I’m a hard-working player and felt that Coach Vance Harmon (head Henrico varsity coach) and his staff would help give me the push I need to be the best player I can become. His success speaks for itself when you see the banners hanging in Henrico’s gym and the many guys from the program who have gone on to play college/overseas.”
Wingfield will also admit that the fast-break style of play within Henrico’s offensive tempo also captured his attention quickly. He should emerge as a nice addition and give the Warriors a great boost in their quest to return for the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 5 state tournament. After securing championships in both 2013 and 2015, Wingfield truly believes this year’s group has the tools to become a contender if they piece it all together. Winning that state title already stands as his main team goal.
In terms of his recruitment situation, playing in front of many coaches this 2019 summer resulted in Wingfield and several of his TRGR teammates attaining greater next-level interest, per a conversation I had with Coach Harris back in mid-July. Wingfield’s heard from schools of different NCAA divisions and simply hopes his efforts in this upcoming senior season will help his name grow.
“One of my personal goals is to just land as many offers as I can. I actually have a visit on Friday (9/6) to Christopher Newport University. I really like the school, went to their team camp, and their coaches have been great, so I’m excited about taking that visit. I’ve also had talks with Longwood University, University of Richmond, and North Carolina Wesleyan College. Some conversations happened between myself and Columbia University but nothing too serious.”
“School’s definitely important, so I’ll be looking for a place that has my major or something that could possibly end up as my major. That, and having a strong relationship with a coaching staff, are two things that are most important to me. It’s all about trust and I know my parents would want to have that trust as well because, when they’re not there, they’ll know I’ll be under someone else who could act as a parental figure and keep me on the right path. Team-wise, I’d just want to be around unselfish guys with a winning mindset.”
Sounds like the proper mentality, for sure. The future can still wait, however, and this 2019-20 season could very well unfold as Wingfield’s official ‘breakout’ year on the high school scene. He’s entering a new system where I see him sliding in best and obviously has made improvements to his craft day in and day out. All of VHSL Class 5 should have him and Henrico on notice.
Ok then, where does Zy’Ever Wingfield see himself in ten years'
“I see myself either being a professional player, NBA or overseas, but, if that doesn’t work, I hope to be a sports analyst. I want to major in a sports communications-type of field during my time in college.”
Hard to argue with that possible sports analyst pursuit as a second career plan. That has to be one of the best jobs in the world for former athletes: making money by talking about sports. Keep reaching for the sky, Zy.