An Early Look at Hibbert
It's hard to be hidden when you're a seven footer. But such was the case with 7-2, 270 pound Roy Hibbert Jr. of Georgetown Prep H.S. in Bethesda, Md., who was a bit of a mystery to Rivalshoops.com until this season.
Hibbert had given an early oral commitment to Georgetown, but he wasn't a regular on the traveling team circuit last spring and summer.
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While he has a big strapping frame, Hibbert runs with a deliberate gait and isn't very fluid. He also wasn't able to post up and catch the ball in prime low post locations in the game that Rivalshoops.com watched him in at the Slam Dunk.
Still, as they say, you can't teach size, and Hibbert has been averaging roughly 14 points and 18 rebounds per contest this season. He also just turned 16 years old on Dec. 11.
"He has to be more aggressive and active," Georgetown Prep Head Coach Dwayne Bryant told Rivalshoops.com recently. "And he has to learn how to play that way all the time so that he's a dominant player on the floor."
Hampering Hibbert a bit is that he's broken his foot twice within the past year and a half. His most recent occurrence came in July of 2002, and that kept him on the shelf until just before the start of practice in the fall.
In fact, he still has a pin in his foot from the surgery.
"Prior to this season, he hadn't played basketball in almost a year," Bryant said. "He didn't start to play until November, so he's still learning how to adjust and use his body."
Hibbert is expected to attend the Nike All-American Camp in July, and will also suit up for the D.C. Blue Devils at selected spring and summer events.
Rivalshoops.com will keep you posted on his play and development in the months to come, so stay tuned.