Ken’s Column: D.J. Hurley could be destined for greatness

Published 1:34 am Friday, July 19, 2019

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For the past several weeks, I’ve been covering the games of the Dwight Harris Boys Club Basketball League (DHBCBL). I have seen high school players, who are already standouts, reach new heights while playing in this league.

Just recently, Wallace Bradley, who plays for the 17u Thunder and is a standout guard at Americus-Sumter, scored 64 points in a DHBCBL game.

Other players have had impressive outings in DHBCBL play this summer. However, one player for me has stuck out above all the rest.

His name is D.J. Hurley. He is a guard on the 14u Thunder team. This past week, Hurley scored 42 points and then followed that up with a 31-point performance.

Hurley has yet to start high school, but his skill set is already better than a good many varsity players, at least in my humble opinion.

His ability to break down a defense with dribble penetration and his outside shooting ability are amazing for one who is between the ages of 12 and 14.

He is already doing things that good junior and senior varsity players are doing.

I don’t want to put pressure on this young man. That is not my intention in writing this column. What I am saying here is that this kid could be destined for greatness if he stays on the straight and narrow.

Americus has seen its share of great athletes who have gone on to achieve national and even international greatness. Judging by the way Hurley is playing basketball, he could end up being something special.

Right now, he should just enjoy playing the game at the high level that he is. He should enjoy playing the game for fun. If, however, he has goals to play major college basketball and in the NBA, there is no doubt in my mind that he can do both of those things if he continues to work hard at his craft. That’s my opinion. I welcome yours.

Ken Gustafson is the sports editor for the Americus Times-Recorder. To contact him, email him at Ken.gustafson@americustimesrecorder.com, or call 229-924-2751.