For those of you who cannot wait to see the next generation of college basketball players, you are in luck. USA Basketball announced the finalists for its U-18 national team roster last weekend, which includes many notable incoming freshmen like McDonald’s All-American Bruce Branch III (BYU), #1-ranked PG Taylen Kinney (Kansas), and consensus 5-star forward Baba Oladotun (Maryland). 1 of the players who has been rocketing up the rankings this year is Quentin Coleman, who was named Missouri Gatorade POY and won his 2nd straight state championship this spring after scoring 50 PTS in the title game. Quentin is hoping to head to Mexico next week and try to win a gold medal, but earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with him about choosing Illinois for college and being a great 3-PT shooter.
You grew up in St. Louis, as did several NBA stars including Bradley Beal/Jayson Tatum: what is the basketball scene like there? I was born in California, moved to Illinois when I was 5, and now I go to school in the St. Louis area. Seeing those names like Bradley/Jayson, as well as others like Larry Hughes Jr., has been great: they are like big brothers who I can always count on.
You led Bradley Beal Elite to a Peach Jam title last summer and won your 2nd straight state title this year at Principia School after scoring a career-high 50 PTS/18-21 FG in the title game (www.youtube.com/shorts/gKySTZ3Ryy4): what is the key to winning championships? Making winning plays and doing things that are not always seen on the stat sheet. I just do whatever it takes to win.
You shot better than 50 3P% as a senior: what is the secret to making shots from behind the arc? Just practicing every day and getting shots up. My dad put me on a little rim when I was a kid because he wanted to make sure that my form was right, and as I got older/stronger the hoop got higher.
Earlier this year you were named Missouri Gatorade POY/1st-team MaxPreps All-American: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? It means a lot. During my freshman year I wrote on my vision board about all the things that I wanted to accomplish…and now my dreams are becoming reality.
Why did you decommit from Wake Forest last March, and why did you decide to sign with Illinois in April? I felt like I had better opportunities elsewhere as my senior year progressed, so I wanted to expand my college options. Illinois had recruited me in the past and I saw how they were winning last spring. I wanted to go somewhere that I could win a title, and felt that Illinois was the right fit for me and my family.
You are part of a great recruiting class including Lucas Morillo/Landon Davis/Ethan Brown/Zavier Zens: how well do you know any of the other guys? I do not know them very well yet, but I look forward to making those relationships stronger in the weeks ahead after we all get to campus.
Last month you scored 12 PTS in the Jordan Brand Classic: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Bruce Branch III/Brandon McCoy Jr./Tyran Stokes/other)? I would say Colben Landrew. My high school team had a win over his team at the City of Palms Classic in Florida last December (www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIy7-eRHJaA), so it was cool to see him again…and get to brag about beating him!
The Illini are losing their starting backcourt of Kylan Boswell/Keaton Wagler but are returning several other key pieces including David Mirkovic/Tomislav Ivisic (and perhaps Andrej Stojakovic): do you think the roster has enough talent to make it back to the Final 4? That is always the plan and every team is striving for that. With the combination of returning players and new guys that are coming in, I think that we have a good shot at it.
You are listed at 6’4″: what position did you play in high school, and what position would you feel most comfortable at in college? In high school I was more of a PG who brought the ball up, but I am a combo guard who can run the 1 or 2. Wherever the coach feels I can best help the team win, that is where I will play.
Last weekend you were selected as a finalist for the USA U-18 national team: what would it mean to you to represent your country/win a gold medal? It would mean a lot. Being here is a great moment to experience and it would be amazing to make the team/win a gold medal that I would have forever.
