Howard Pulley Team's Top Talent Ponders Future Prospects
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- They're always some of the most elite players in Minnesota -- the Howard Pulley basketball team.
This year's version, however, might be the best ever. They're 25-0, ranked in one poll as the number one team in the country on the high-profile Nike Tour.
There's no doubt that they're quite a collection. They're a team that has everything -- some size, some shooters and some speed.
Minnesota has long been competitive nationally with the Howard Pulley Panthers, making a name and sending kids to scholarships. But this team might be the best since they started on the circuit about 15 years ago.
"I keep hearing that, and I keep rolling my mind over and over," Howard Pulley Panthers founder Renee Pulley said. "From a team standpoint, it's on the way to possibly be the best team I've ever had."
There's Gary Trent Jr., one of the most highly recruited players in the country. He's just finishing his junior year at Apple Valley. It could be his last, as he considers prep schools for next season.
"I'm not sure. Nothing is concrete yet," he said. "I have visited a couple prep schools, and plan on visiting a prep school just to see what they have to offer, but nothing's concrete yet."
There's Brad Davidson -- a two-sport star from Maple Grove. He hopes playing on the team helps elevate his scholarship status.
"It's awesome. It's so much fun just to go out there and compete in front of those coaches," he said. "Because everyone out there is trying to get scholarships, and you just have to play as a team. It's what we do."
Which leads to a big question -- will the best players want to stay and play for the state's biggest university? The Gophers and Richard Pitnio are in free fall right now with on and off the court issues.
"Parents are concerned about what's happening over there now," Pulley said. "Is that a good place or a good environment for my kid to be in?"
Theo Johns of Champlin Park has already received an offer. He's a big and athletic post player. He's watching the Gophers as they watch him, not quick to pass judgement
"Every college has their hard times," he said. "I feel like they can work their stuff out. They know that they're dealing with some serious stuff. They're great guys."
In the meantime, they will try to win a national title at the Peach Jam this summer, maybe making Minnesota proud in the process.
"Every time we step out on the court, we're representing ourselves, our families, the state of Minnesota, everybody," Trent Jr. said.
