The kid with the cool name is very good at basketball. Hailing from the heart of Austin, Texas, Legend Durst's journey is one of resilience, dedication, and unyielding passion for the game. Legend's journey hasn't been without its challenges. Just a year ago, he was on the brink of walking away from the game he loves. It was only through his sheer determination and the support of his community that he found renewed purpose on the court.
Eye Test
Playing in the great state of Texas, one might expect him to garner more attention for the next level. However, basketball can be unpredictable; without a recognized name, players often must stand out by excelling against top competition or competing on major shoe circuits. Legend, a legitimate 6'5" versatile wing, is just beginning to tap into his true potential. He's an aggressive scorer, a fluid athlete, and possesses excellent defensive capabilities. He consistently plays a winning brand of basketball on both ends of the court and shines in clutch moments. His trajectory is on the rise, and with the right opportunities, he has the potential to make a significant impact.
Offense
As mentioned, Durst is an exceptional athlete who plays the game at his own pace. His movements are so fluid that he often appears to be coasting on the court. He puts an extreme amount of pressure on the defense at the rim and is a very underrated passer. Durst is a consistent midrange shooter, steadily developing his three-point shooting skills. He prefers to operate in the midrange, post, and mid-post areas, shooting over the defense and slashing for easy buckets. He rebounds exceptionally well for a guard and is fearless in battle with bigger players in the paint. He's had numerous double-doubles thus far in the Aau season, cementing his status as a double-double machine.
Durst's first step is remarkably deceptive, allowing him to blow past defenders and find optimal scoring opportunities. He excels at posting up smaller opponents, effortlessly shooting over them with various techniques, from powerful dunks to delicate floaters. While his offensive game is still evolving, he's made great strides in the last year through hard work and dedication to the game. Durst is poised to become a significant contributor at the next level if he continues to work.
Defense
Watching him play, it's clear he has the potential to become a lockdown defender. His long arms, impressive lateral quickness, and excellent footwork make him highly effective on the defensive end. With large hands and a knack for disrupting opponents, he frequently racks up steals by poking the ball away. Defense might be his calling card at the next level, offering him the opportunity to impress college coaches with his defensive IQ. This is where he will have his most significant impact at the next level, leveraging his natural defensive instincts and physical attributes to become a formidable three-and-D player.
Life
Legend: I've always wanted to play college basketball, but by the end of my junior year, I was at a school that hadn't sent anyone to college in a long time. I had yet to learn how to make it happen. Mentally, the school was draining, and the entire experience felt surreal, and I was ready to walk away from basketball.
After nearly giving up on basketball until he met his current coach, TJ Jenkins, Coach Jenkins revitalized Legend's passion for the game, helped strengthen his relationship with Christ helped him grow in his faith.
Recruiting
As Legend navigates the spring and summer seasons, he is eager to seize every opportunity on the horizon. With interest from programs such as WKU, ORU, and Texas A&M Commerce, his potential is limitless. Although the path forward is still being determined, one thing is clear: Legend can play at the next level and will stop at nothing to achieve his dreams.
Comentarios