The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BEFORE he played an official high school basketball game in the United States, he was already heralded as “the next big thing” to come out of the Frank Rutherford Elite Development Programme and 10 games into his career, Sean Brennen Jr is living up to expectations thus far.

Brennan, a 6’5” 195 pound point guard, joined the programme this summer and now attends Clear Lake Christian School in Houston, Texas.

Brennen currently averages 18.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as he leads the Eagles to a 10-2 record on the season thus far.

His state line includes 59 per cent shooting from the field, 41 per cent from three-point range, 72 per cent from the free throw line and five double doubles.

He made his debut with 31 points and eight rebounds, which included 5-7 shooting from beyond the arch.

He recorded a string of four double doubles in December which included 17 points and 10 rebounds against O’Connell, 29 points and 13 rebounds against First Baptist, 19 points and 13 rebounds against West Colombia Charter, and 22 points and 13 rebounds against Sunnybrook Christian.

On January 13, he recorded 26 points and a season high 22 rebounds against KIPP Sunnyside.

Rutherford said a player with Brennen’s skillset can attract the attention of scouts and coaches around the country.

“Sean is super athletic, fast, quick and aggressive like Russell Westbrook. He’s in that mould,” he said. “Our system is the kind of system that the scouts and coaches they themselves use and they tell me what is needed. That system, from a skill development standpoint, happens through 4-5 mainstream people that are connected in elite level basketball. We just try to identify the raw material to build the best basketball player and student athlete.”

Several schools have already expressed interest in Brennen, including the University of Houston and Georgia Tech.

“My system includes the  AAU circuit, but in addition is my development programme which includes four individuals - Terell Henderson, Ken Gamble, Chris Gaston, who is one of the best development coaches in America and the godfather of grassroots basketball, John Lucas. All of our kids get their certification from John Lucas and when he opens his mouth the world of basketball listens,” Rutherford said.

“That’s how it happens. People may not understand why they haven’t heard about these kids locally but they come here and earn a spot on high major division I programmes.”

The son of Sean Sr and Shannell Brennen, Sean Jr, a former St Anne’s student, went head-to-head with some of the best high school players in Houston during preseason tournaments and scouts walked away impressed.

Bahamian students in the programme get the best one-on-one skills, sports physiology, and life skill training in America for their particular position or sport.