Williamstown Sports Report

Stanley, who was not actually able to attend the camp due to Kentucky High School Athletic Association rules, said the invitation meant a lot to him and is something he is very proud of.

 

"It's exciting and humbling at the same time just to be invited to go play with all those high-level players," said Stanley, who spent this summer playing, and winning multiple championships, on the AAU circuit with the Lexington Lightning, which is coached by Ty Johnson.

 

And according to Williamstown Coach Roger Harden, who knows a thing or two about what it takes to play on the level of those players at the John Lucas Camp after a record-breaking career at the University of Kentucky, Stanley's invitation was not only well-deserved, it was earned by his point guard through exceptional play last season and during this summer's AAU tournaments.

 

"Brennan's poise and maturity on and off the floor are beyond his age. And I commend his parents for that," said Harden. "Brennan is very dedicated. He has a hoop dream, but he also has the work ethic that it takes to back it up. He's very active in the weight room. He works on every facet of his game outside of practice. And I think his invitation to the John Lucas Camp was well deserved.

 

"When you're talking about the Top 100, and to be invited as a freshman speaks even higher of Brennan," continued Harden. "Most of those kids at the camp will be sophomores and juniors. So someone has said some pretty credible things about Brennan to the people at the camp for him to get an invite. Because there really are no politics involved in this camp. You can either play or you don't get invited."

 

While Harden was excited for Stanley to get the invite, he was disappointed in the KHSAA rule that prohibits athletes from participating in this type of event. Every state except for Kentucky and Oklahoma allow their athletes to participate in the camps, something he hopes, and believes will, change in the future.

 

"It's really a great camp and we're hoping he will get to participate in the future and measure himself against what is out there," said Harden. "It's one thing to be one of the better kids in this area or this region, but when you expand out and get to go against players from all over the USA then you really know what you've got to work on."

 

Harden, who has watched Stanley make tremendous strides in his game since the beginning of his eighth grade year, said he believes the invite to the camp is just the beginning of many good things to come for his rising prospect.

 

"I can't tell you how proud I am of Brennan. I can't tell you how much I believe in him. It's a pleasure and a joy to be his coach. I can't say enough good about him," said Harden. "I don't want to put too much pressure on Brennan because he is just a 14-year-old freshman, but I've got all the faith in the world in him and I believe he is going to be one of those players that people around here are going to remember long after he graduates."