High-Scoring Combo Guard Stays Home
Since being named head coach at Texas Christian, Neil Dougherty has worked hard
in mining the rich talent in the state of Texas. He recently struck gold right
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in his backyard, securing a Class of 2004 commitment from Brent Hackett, a
high-scoring 6-foot-3, 195 pound combo guard from Fort Worth (TX) Southwest HS.
Hackett verballed to Dougherty and TCU in late April. While schools such as
Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, and Colorado State had previously been in
the mix for his services, Hackett liked what he heard out of Dougherty and the
Horned Frogs program.
"TCU worked on him real hard," said Southwest head coach Scott Gray. "They
really sold him on the program and how they were going to start winning."
As a junior, Hackett averaged 26.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.3 steals a game.
While he started out as the team's point guard, a tragic accident to
Southwest's second leading scorer during Christmas break forced Hackett into
the role of a scorer, and he certainly responded, becoming one of the top
scorers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex.
If you want a description of Hackett's style, Gray suggests you take a look at
a current point guard who's busy with the NBA Finals.
"He reminds me of Tony Parker (of the San Antonio Spurs), except he's a better
outside shooter," he said. "They're both smart, can deal the ball, and score
if you need them to."
One thing Hackett does need to improve on is his intensity on defense. But
Hackett - who's already improved his shooting by leaps and bounds, and now
boasts a range out to 25 feet - has what it takes inside to continue to improve
his game, according to Gray.
"His biggest assets are his head and his heart," he said. "He's got the best
head on his shoulders. He's tough, but yet he'll listen."
Hackett played with the Fort Worth Lions program last summer and started again
with the Lions this spring, but because of lack of funding, the Lions
disbanded. Hackett is now playing with Team Texas. Hackett was also recently
named as an alternate for the Select Team at the Global Games in July.
Gray thinks that Hackett will have an outstanding senior season.
"He's the best player I've ever coached," he said. "He's also the only player
I've ever talked to about playing in the NBA; normally I wouldn't mention that
to a kid."
Jed Tai is a Senior Writer with Hoopville.com