Trips to Take, Decisions to Make

The next weekend, the 6-9 Collegiate School senior will repeat the process at Kansas State, a Big 12 signatory which reached the Elite Eight this past winter.

 

And the last weekend in September, he’ll repeat the process yet again, this time at Boston College, like Georgia Tech a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

 

Sometime in October, he’ll make the final two of his NCAA-allowed five official visits. The sites are yet to be determined, but there’s no shortage of possibilities because upwards of 40 schools have extended bids for his services.

 

Then, when he’s fully satisfied that he’s done his due diligence and has personally spoken with and thanked each coach who tendered an invitation, he’ll make his decision.

 

Such is life these days for Beran, who made a quantum leap into national prominence this summer through his performance with Team Richmond Garner Road and is now ranked No. 46 in the country by 247Sports and No. 100 by no less an authority than ESPN.

 

“Robbie has handled the (recruiting) process well,” said Del Harris, who’s both his Collegiate and AAU coach. “Over a three-week span, he averaged playing before 30 to 50 Division I coaches in tournaments in Myrtle Beach, Pennsylvania (Lancaster), and Las Vegas. He hasn’t treated any coach or offer differently regardless of the level. That’s not easy for any 18-year-old, even one who’s as mature and grounded as Robbie.”

 

Beran’s first offer came a year-and-a-half ago from Division II Millersville (PA), whose roster includes two Richmond-area players: D’Marco Suggs (Henrico) and Caden Najdawi (Cosby). The latest came recently from ACC affiliate Louisville.

 

So how has an All-Prep League and All-VISAA first teamer who averaged 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists per game as a junior while leading his team to a 21-6 season continued to improve?

 

The answer is diligence and commitment in the form of regular early morning workouts, strength training, mindful attention to the technical aspects of his game, an earnest desire to improve, and the ability to remain focused and keep his accomplishments well in perspective.

 

“Robbie has grown, gotten stronger, and become more assertive,” Harris said. “He’s more comfortable with the type of player he is. He knows his leadership is needed at all times. His defense has been really good, especially off the ball defense and blocking shots.”

 

By traditional standards, Beran would be listed as a forward or center, but he’s comfortable leading the fast break, shooting the 3-pointer, or posting up, skills which the Collegiate faithful (as well as opponents) witnessed regularly this past year.

What differences will they see this winter?

 

“I think they’ll see a pretty new player,” Beran said without a hint of braggadocio. “Somebody who’s explosive off the dribble, who will definitely try to impact the game more, who will probably have to score a little bit more now that I’ve kind of found my rhythm. I know people are going to come at me I’m looking forward to it.”

 

Then, in vintage Robbie Beran fashion, he added, “I’m just looking forward to a good season.”

 

First, though, Beran has a full slate of classes – he’s a 4.0-plus student with a wealth of advanced classes on his résumé – as well as trips to take and future-shaping decisions to make.

 

“It’s definitely overwhelming at times,” he admitted when addressing the constant contact from college coaches. “There’re times it gets too much, so I just turn off my phone and go do something else. I know I don’t have to rush anything. I just keep moving forward. I’ve had a great support staff: parents, coaches, family friends. It’s been nice.”

Even though your game has improved, I offered, your mental approach seems the same as always. You don’t get too high. You don’t get too low. You just stay humble and true to yourself.

 

“Exactly,” he responded. “I’ve always been kind of a low-key guy. I’m not going to change now. I’ll stay with what got me here. But this is really exciting. I can start to see the end. Then, another journey begins.”

  -- Weldon Bradshaw