‘He has a lot of promise.’ East Meck sophomore grows from guard to center, in just 1 year
Jordan Buzzard said he kept hearing the same thing from people during the past year.
“Everyone was telling me how fast I was growing,” Buzzard, an East Mecklenburg High sophomore, said.
“But when you’re the one doing the growing, it’s hard to notice,” he added.
He stopped and smiled, then added, “Well, I guess I did notice that my pants kept getting too short.”
A year ago, Buzzard was a 6-foot-1 freshman on the East Mecklenburg junior varsity basketball team. He was a good dribbler, passer and defender, and his travel basketball team, Chris Paul’s Nike-sponsored CP3 2027, said in a team report that Buzzard was a very good 3-point shooter.
Now, Jordan Buzzard is 6-foot-7, with more growth possible, and he is learning to add the advantages of height – rebounding, shot-blocking and overall inside play — to the skills he already had.
“He has a lot of promise,” said East Mecklenburg head coach Jason Buzzard, his father.
‘It’s crazy, huh?’
As for the rapid growth, his dad laughed and added, “I know … it’s crazy, huh?”
While the Buzzard family has worked to keep their fast-growing son fed and wearing clothes that fit, Jordan has been trying to make the height work for him.
“I’ve learned a lot, but I have a lot more to learn,” he said. “The game is different for me now.”
At times, Buzzard appears ready to take over the game.
He is averaging 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks a game this season for an Eagles team which lost all of its regulars from last season but remains in the hunt for a postseason playoff berth.
Jordan Buzzard is a key piece to the future at East Mecklenburg. Of the Eagles’ eight regulars, two are sophomores and five are juniors. Only one senior sees a lot of playing time.
“Obviously, there is a lot to hope for with this team,” Jason Buzzard said.
In his last five games, Jordan Buzzard is averaging a double-double — 10.8 points and 10.2 rebounds.
“I’m seeing progress all the time from him, but I’ve really noticed it in the last few weeks,” Jason Buzzard said.
In Friday’s 66-57 loss to Rocky River, Buzzard had 12 points and 12 rebounds, along with a pair of blocks.
Still work to do
But there also are the occasional bad pass or dribble off the knee that reminds you Buzzard is a sophomore, dealing with rapid growth over the past 12 months.
His father said he doesn’t think Jordan will be a point-producing machine.
“He has a pass-first mentality,” Jason Buzzard said. “The hoops culture is about scoring. But right now, he (Jordan) seems interested in wanting to make the right play. To him, setting a screen can be his best play. He’s willing to do that.”
Jordan Buzzard said he wants to get better at finishing at the rim and said he is working on his ball-handling.
But the biggest thing for him, he said, is “Learning to play at different positions on the floor.”
After all, a year ago, he was a guard or wing. Now he can play any position on the court.
Jason Buzzard said his son also is starting to establish himself as a force in the game.
“His assertiveness is there now,” he said. “I didn’t always see that before. But he’s made a lot of improvement at being assertive.”
With his experience on travel teams, Jordan Buzzard has gained experience playing for coaches who don’t have the same last name.
He said playing for his father is a mixed blessing.
“Sometimes it’s fun, and sometimes it can be hard,” he said. “If you’re not careful, you can wind up talking basketball all the time.”
Jason Buzzard said his son is a very coachable player.
“He’s worked hard, and I’m pleased with his progress,” he said. “You’ve got to remember — this is a kid who’s only 16½! We don’t know how much more he might grow. I think he’s done well so far.”
PHOTOS: East Meck’s Jordan Buzzard
