Christ Presbyterian Academy junior Braxton Blackwell has received 25 scholarship offers.
Christ Presbyterian Academy’s Braxton Blackwell is bigger than most.
At 6 feet 8 inches, Blackwell towers over just about everyone he encounters, both on and off the court. His 2014-15 stats —Blackwell averaged 20.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the 32-5 Lions — were every bit as immense, and his list of Division I scholarship offers trumps that of just about any kid in the country.
His biggest moment, however, didn’t involve any of those.
Just a day after suffering a painful 60-54 loss to eventual Class AA state champion Haywood — CPA’s second straight season-ending loss in the state semifinals — the standout small forward was “honored” with the 2015 Mr. Basketball award.
He was met by an outpouring boos from the crowd at MTSU’s Murphy Center, but his reaction to the negative response — one of humility, and even understanding — showed that he was the bigger man that Saturday afternoon.
“It’s how the world is I guess,” said Blackwell, The Tennessean’s Midstate Player of the Year. “If you’re getting booed as a high school athlete, you’re probably doing some things right. I just tried to make the best out of it; I didn’t go home and just cry or anything like that.”
CPA’s Blackwell named Mr. Basketball again
Added CPA coach Drew Maddux, “Even in that moment, just watching him respond to the way the crowd reacted to him getting the award, it was nothing short of amazing. It’s just symbolic of who he is, the way that he carries himself and the way that he has been raised by incredible parents. It was a beautiful display, and ultimately a reminder to kids and adults alike how you should respond even when people don’t react the way you think they should.”
If all goes according to plan, it’s a scenario Blackwell will find himself facing in the not-so-distant future.
The highly sought junior prospect, ranked the No. 20 player nationally in the 2016 signing class by 247Sports, will be making his college decision in the coming months, and he’s sure to disappoint some with his choice.
“Some people are going to boo you, some are going to cheer you,” Blackwell said. “Hopefully you can surround yourself with people who cheer you more than boo you.”
Blackwell, who also won the 2014 Class AA Mr. Basketball award, has received 25 scholarship offers.
“Recruiting is going good so far,” Blackwell said. “It’s been really fun and really long, and it’s coming to an end I guess. I’m just going to take my time and visit some schools. I’m not really sure where yet, but I’m just trying to enjoy it, and when it’s the right time to commit, I will.”
According to his coach, he’s hoping to commit to a school sooner rather than later.
“He hopes to sign in the early period (Nov. 11-18),” Maddux said. “He hopes to commit maybe in the fall so he can really enjoy participating and playing his senior year.”
CPA, which will also welcome back standout eighth-grader Tyger Campbell, will need Blackwell’s full attention in 2015-16 if the Lions hope to end their two-year state championship drought.
“That’s the main goal,” Blackwell said of signing in November. “But if not I’ll just wait it out. Just keep waiting until I know; until I’m 110 percent sure and ready to commit to a school.”
Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8018 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.
