Christie, 15, looks to be the real deal
This is supposed to be a time in Illinois high school basketball where top- of- the- line talent is lacking and surefire high- major prospects are far and few between. In reality, that is still the case.
But as we head into the April evaluation period for college coaches, there is a bona fide player oozing a combination of talent, production and untapped upside.
Freshman Max Christie of Rolling Meadows brings a smooth, modern- day game but defies his age with an old- school mindset.
The 6- 4 Christie, who turned 15 in February, is without question one of the top talents and prospects in the state, regardless of class. But even with Christie’s arrival to Rolling Meadows on the horizon last spring, coach Kevin Katovich couldn’t help but think of him as the preteen hoopster he had been watching for years in his summer basketball camps.
‘‘ We knew he was coming, we knew he was talented, but he was also still just this junior- high kid,’’ said Katovich, who has been the coach at Rolling Meadows since 2002.
Christie dazzled as a freshman. He averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and 2.9 assists. He also shot 36 percent ( 37- for- 103) from three- point range and better than 80 percent from the free- throw line.
Even Christie found his early success a surprise.
‘‘ I personally didn’t think I would be able to have the impact that I did as a freshman,’’ Christie said. ‘‘ But I received so much help and support from my teammates. I still owe a lot to them and how they helped me along.’’
He’s not freakishly athletic, but Christie is as smooth as they come and has a prototypical basketball body with his length, wingspan and size. He has a natural way about him on the court and is blessed with impressive poise for a player his age.
Christie does things most freshmen don’t. He understands how to control the flow of the game and can make his teammates better. As his numbers indicate, he can score in various ways and already has a feel for isolating and creating points off the dribble. He also shows sound shooting mechanics.
High- major programs already are interested. DePaul and Florida have offered scholarships, and Christie said he has heard the most from Northwestern, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin and Dayton.
‘‘ He has a chance to be special,’’ one high- major assistant coach said. ‘‘ He’s so talented but is just scratching the surface.’’
Christie, though, already is tuning out any hype coming his way. While many kids his age would love the hoopla, you can tell he’s a little uncomfortable with it.
Christie recognizes his flaws. He knows he turns the ball over too much, has to become a more consistent shooter and needs to develop his body. He realizes there is a ton of room for improvement. Just ask him.
‘‘ I know that I can’t settle, that I can’t quit working,’’ Christie said. ‘‘ I have to work hard every day because there is so much I have to improve.’’