NEXT ST. PATRICK’S STAR: AUSTIN COLBERT
by MATT WHITFIELD
While Kyrie Irving is departing this year, as is the coach’s son, Kevin Boyle Jr, the Celtics still have serious talent waiting in the wings. That is because for the next year, not only will the Elizabeth (NJ) program have the No. 1 ranked player nationally in the class of 2011, Michael Ghilchrist, but they’ll also be playing with the No. 1 ranked 2013 prospect, Austin Colbert. What’s a scary thought is Colbert could possibly be better than Ghilchrist, a player some last year called the best high schooler nationally, regardless of class, before he is done.
St. Patrick’s has a history of producing good basketball players. Current NBA players Al Harrington and Samuel Dalembert attended St. Patrick’s and current college players Corey Fisher (of Villanova0 and Dexter Strickland also highlight notable alumni of the program.
Colbert and Ghilchrist seem like a lock to continue this trend and the duo show early potential as future NBA draft picks.
“His potential is through the roof,” Irving told NBE of Colbert this weekend after the impressive frosh scored 11 points as St. Patrick’s buried previously unbeaten Trenton Catholic 78-52 at the Scholarship Fund for Inner-Children Festival at Kean University’s Harwood Arena in Union. Colbert came off the bench and in the absence of Gilchrist, who missed the contest with a knee injury, received increased playing time that he took advantage of.
Colbert is already 6′8 and he told NBE he is projected to be 7′1. One Big East assistant coach remarked to NBE over the weekend that he compares Colbert to former Syracuse star Billy Owens at this stage.
Colbert just moved to New Jersey recently from Chesapeake (VA). Growing up, Colbert told NBE he had the chance to meet Alonzo Mourning a couple of times and Colbert was left impressed with how humble he was for such a premier basketball player.
“He’s a big guy and he’s very humble and I just liked the way he played the game and I like what he did for his community,” said Colbert.
Now playing at St. Patrick’s, Colbert with his frame, size, and game has the chance to be special as well and knows the opportunity of playing for a nationally renowned program is a great privilege.
“It’s a great opportunity, said Colbert. “I’ve heard about [coach Kevin Boyle] when I was growing up. How he’s a great coach, he won national coach of the year a coupe times and I just wanted to play for a good coach, and [I liked] how he worked his system. It’s a great experience.”
Right now Colbert isn’t really thinking about college and the recruiting process that will almost certainly be as high profile as some of the other recent high school stars.
“I’m just trying to take it one step at a time,” Colbert told NBE. “Play high school ball as best I can and colleges will come.”
However, Colbert did mention schools that have shown him early interest.
“Virginia Tech, ODU, Clemson, UNC, Detroit, and Kansas,” Colbert mentioned when asked which schools had contacted him thus far. Colbert also mentioned the ACC as his conference of choice saying, “I’ve always wanted to be in the ACC.”
For now Colbert is working to improve his game for the future.
“I definitely need to work on my left hand dribbling and my face up game a lot and I need to keep running the floor and get my stamina up,” said Colbert.
With his size, potential, and ability Colbert has the chance to eclipse Dajuan Wagner as the most decorated basketball recruit ever out of the state of New Jersey. For now though Colbert is just a humble young man, who has this message for his family.
“I love my mom and my dad and my little brother. Thank God for blessing me with this talent and this height,” said Colbert.
