The Start of a New Beginning: Addison Newkirk to Greensboro Day
by Jeff Bendel | Jun 2, 2021
Today’s high school basketball world is drastically different than it was five or ten years ago. This shift is largely due to a combination of player movement and the development of so many prep schools or basketball academies. While most of these ideals make sense for a prospect to receive appropriate recognition, it would be foolish to think that everyone is truly fighting for the kids. However, Freddy Johnson and Greensboro Day School have built a reputation and proven track record over the last four decades. His intent has been clear: teach the youth the game of basketball, advance players to the college game, and humbly enjoy success in the meanwhile. Although thousands of talented individuals have grown under the tutelage of Coach Johnson, Addison Newkirk has a chance to be as impressive as any previous Bengal.
Typically, it’s unheard of to write transfer pieces for rising freshmen who are just entering high school. That being said, Newkirk isn’t a typical kid. For those seeking statistical justification, Newkirk led Caldwell Academy last season as an eighth-grader and posted nightly averages of 16 PPG, 7 RPG, and 3 APG. When asked about this unique opportunity, he stated, “Playing on varsity as an eighth-grader was a great experience, and gave me an opportunity to be a leader and the first option on a team that wasn’t able to compete like the others in our conference. It helped me step up my game a lot, because their best player would guard me and vice-versa.” Newkirk overviews the difference in role between Caldwell and his travel program with Team CP3, claiming, “On Team CP3, I have a completely different role because all of us are capable of doing whatever we need to. Growing older, it’ll give me the most recognition possible and that’s a huge upside.”
Although transferring has become something of a common fallback for kids in less-than-favorable situations, it was basically the opposite for Newkirk. Not only did he already have the keys to the team and a high-level coach in Brandon Clifford, but Caldwell was where he legitimately grew up. Upon analyzing the decision, Newkirk said, “My decision to go to GDS was extremely difficult because I’ve left my school of nine years. The main reason I chose GDS is due to their top-notch academics and dominant basketball program. I’m playing Division I players every day, and it’s a blessing and amazing opportunity to play for Coach Johnson. At GDS, I can get the most recognition and become a better person/player through it all.”
Anyone who has followed Greensboro Day shouldn’t expect Newkirk to come in and immediately receive twenty shot-attempts per game, as it simply won’t happen. However, the young wing prospect is pretty understanding with his overall expectations when asked about his short and long-term outlook. Regarding the future, he stated, “It’s a new environment but I’m already fitting in and getting more comfortable. In the short-term, I feel like I can be solid all-around and help the team in every aspect. I’m going to be the hardest worker and I’ll be a leader. As far as long-term, I hope we can build a great team with myself and a couple other young guys, and ultimately work towards that state title.”
Being realistic about one’s abilities is also a critical part of becoming a successful player, and Newkirk certainly knows his identity. When asked to describe his game and discuss what he’s looking to refine/improve, he said, “I’m a confident player and I want the most competition I can get. I can score at will, move on and off the ball, and my interior defense is one of my strengths. I see myself as one of the smarter players and I’m not usually rushed. Things I need to work on are getting stronger, developing my perimeter defense, and becoming a more consistent shooter. With GDS, they have the coaches and experience to make me better at all the things I need to work on, and my strengths right now can only improve.”
If any folks still feel unsure about Newkirk’s potential stardom at Greensboro Day School, feel free to take a closer look at our “Bendel’s Best: Tip-Off Classic” or “The Stars of Tomorrow: North Carolina’s Class of 2025.” It’s certainly early, but Newkirk has all the tools to be an incredibly special player.
by Jeff Bendel | Jun 2, 2021
Today’s high school basketball world is drastically different than it was five or ten years ago. This shift is largely due to a combination of player movement and the development of so many prep schools or basketball academies. While most of these ideals make sense for a prospect to receive appropriate recognition, it would be foolish to think that everyone is truly fighting for the kids. However, Freddy Johnson and Greensboro Day School have built a reputation and proven track record over the last four decades. His intent has been clear: teach the youth the game of basketball, advance players to the college game, and humbly enjoy success in the meanwhile. Although thousands of talented individuals have grown under the tutelage of Coach Johnson, Addison Newkirk has a chance to be as impressive as any previous Bengal.
Typically, it’s unheard of to write transfer pieces for rising freshmen who are just entering high school. That being said, Newkirk isn’t a typical kid. For those seeking statistical justification, Newkirk led Caldwell Academy last season as an eighth-grader and posted nightly averages of 16 PPG, 7 RPG, and 3 APG. When asked about this unique opportunity, he stated, “Playing on varsity as an eighth-grader was a great experience, and gave me an opportunity to be a leader and the first option on a team that wasn’t able to compete like the others in our conference. It helped me step up my game a lot, because their best player would guard me and vice-versa.” Newkirk overviews the difference in role between Caldwell and his travel program with Team CP3, claiming, “On Team CP3, I have a completely different role because all of us are capable of doing whatever we need to. Growing older, it’ll give me the most recognition possible and that’s a huge upside.”
Although transferring has become something of a common fallback for kids in less-than-favorable situations, it was basically the opposite for Newkirk. Not only did he already have the keys to the team and a high-level coach in Brandon Clifford, but Caldwell was where he legitimately grew up. Upon analyzing the decision, Newkirk said, “My decision to go to GDS was extremely difficult because I’ve left my school of nine years. The main reason I chose GDS is due to their top-notch academics and dominant basketball program. I’m playing Division I players every day, and it’s a blessing and amazing opportunity to play for Coach Johnson. At GDS, I can get the most recognition and become a better person/player through it all.”
Anyone who has followed Greensboro Day shouldn’t expect Newkirk to come in and immediately receive twenty shot-attempts per game, as it simply won’t happen. However, the young wing prospect is pretty understanding with his overall expectations when asked about his short and long-term outlook. Regarding the future, he stated, “It’s a new environment but I’m already fitting in and getting more comfortable. In the short-term, I feel like I can be solid all-around and help the team in every aspect. I’m going to be the hardest worker and I’ll be a leader. As far as long-term, I hope we can build a great team with myself and a couple other young guys, and ultimately work towards that state title.”
Being realistic about one’s abilities is also a critical part of becoming a successful player, and Newkirk certainly knows his identity. When asked to describe his game and discuss what he’s looking to refine/improve, he said, “I’m a confident player and I want the most competition I can get. I can score at will, move on and off the ball, and my interior defense is one of my strengths. I see myself as one of the smarter players and I’m not usually rushed. Things I need to work on are getting stronger, developing my perimeter defense, and becoming a more consistent shooter. With GDS, they have the coaches and experience to make me better at all the things I need to work on, and my strengths right now can only improve.”
If any folks still feel unsure about Newkirk’s potential stardom at Greensboro Day School, feel free to take a closer look at our “Bendel’s Best: Tip-Off Classic” or “The Stars of Tomorrow: North Carolina’s Class of 2025.” It’s certainly early, but Newkirk has all the tools to be an incredibly special player.
