As previous asst. head coach for local power Taft HS (Spencer) and travel team founder (sponsored by Adidas) I would like to think I have my finger on the pulse of talent here in Southern California, particularly the San Fernando Valley. I am also an avid Buff, having grown up in Boulder.
Bear played on my friends youth travel team, I am familiar with him, having watching him in practice and games for the past 4 years. He is a hold back and matured early, meaning he obtained basketball skills early on and has not pushed himself to increase his basketball acumen or IQ. He also stopped growing, so the once promising forward, is now a SG sized HS player, with little or no skill to play that position. He is the 4th best player on his average HS team.
I trust Coach Boyle, he can get the optimal talent from each player (Chen) but Bear Henderson simply does not align with the level of talent CU has been courting over the past 12+ months. I wish the kid the best, but I hope CU is able to use their scholarships on more talented players!