Play To His Beat

MSE Staff Writer: Guila L.

This player profile is about Zion Harmon’s basketball skillset and abilities nothing more – nothing less. It is not about age, grade, organization, rankings, coaches, wins, losses or YouTube. It is about a child who has a love for a game that has no promises or guarantees attached to it, only hard work and sacrifice to be successful at any level it is played. Forget what you know or what you think you know and understand this player – Zion Harmon is special not in the past or the future but today in the present. As someone who has watched him play and develop over the years with several area teams I have witnessed his ability to lead a team as a scoring point guard who has a very mature understanding of the game and how to play it at a level beyond his competitors. Scorers are often looked upon as selfish and difficult to play with at any level however at the middle school level as children are developing at their own rate some faster than others the scorer tends to stand out more so than others. Ball-hog? Not really – he is more so playing in a system designed to showcase his unique skillset at this stage in his development, as he continues to develop and players shuffle in and out and he is surrounded by more and more talent as other players develop – you will see this scorer take a greater role of facilitator, primary distributor- ball-handler. No child is a finished product at this stage in their development adjustments will / have to be made. As of now his vast game experience, ball-handling abilities and ability to penetrate the lane are above average. He knows when to push in transition – how to lead the fast-break and is equally able to finish at the basket with an array of shots both left and right handed. Can also penetrate and dish however has scorers mentality. Solid ball-handler who can also be flashy at times does not commit many turnovers. His jump shot has improved over the years and will continue to do so as he has solid three point range now something he didn’t have 2-3 years ago. The mechanics of his jump shot will continue to evolve and his athleticism will increase also. Zion has a strong desire to play hard, even thru injury combined with a relentless attack instinct and is also a clutch free throw shooter. Doesn’t take plays off and is tuned in defensively eagerly looking for mistakes or mental lapses to exploit opposing guards. Will rebound when needed. What most don’t realize is that Zion will not fade away as time goes on – his coaching staff is highly dedicated to seeing both he and the other players reach higher levels and have done so with previous high school players as well. Adjustments will be made and Zion will be willing to practice, sacrifice and put in the hard work necessary to succeed. I am unbiased as a writer – I have zero affiliation with Zion or the organization he plays for but I am as curious as everyone else as to how this story plays out as well as the story of many other talented middle school players in the DC, MD, Northern VA area.  I’m sure there will be surprises and disappointments along the way but it makes basketball all the more interesting at the middle school level. There will be “Phenoms” from an early age who continue to succeed and some to fall by the wayside on this journey, there will be kids who pick up the basketball for the first time at 13 years old and make the NBA along with every other scenario imagine-able within this game we all love. That is why I watch. Much continued improvement to Zion Harmon. (Stay tuned for more player profiles written by me here on MSE.)