Travis Atson’s got what he wanted from his move to South Kent.
The Greenpoint native and former Christ the King guard transferred to the Connecticut boarding school in hopes of improved opportunities and time to advance his game and raise his college recruiting stock. Both are happening less than a year into his time there. He’s displaying better perimeter skills, and high-major college coaches are beginning to take notice.
“He’s really learning how to make the move from an interior player to a perimeter player,” said South Kent coach Kelvin Jefferson. “He’s improving his ball handling. He’s improving his shooting. He is doing this year things he hasn’t don’t in previous years.”
Aston got a chance to put his new skills on display for his hometown fans over the weekend during the Big Apple Basketball Invitational at Baruch College. The 6-foot-5 junior, who reclassified to the class of 2016, scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds in a 69–61 win over Genesis Academy (Va.) Atson made two three-pointers and displayed a lightening-quick first step.
He admitted to being a little nervous to play in New York City again.
“I think I played pretty well,” Atson said. “I could have made more shots, but we got the W. That’s all that matters.”
He has had better performances in the past — including 34 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a recent win over Believe Prep. Atson began catching the attention of college coaches in November by playing well at the National Prep Showcase. Atson, who already has more than a dozen offers, now has interest from the likes of Xavier, Clemson, Florida, and Boston College.
“I got a lot of high majors contacting me,” he said. “I didn’t have that last year.”
Atson said Iona is pursuing him the hardest, along with Boston University, Clemson, Duquesne, and DePaul. He hopes to make a decision by October where he will spend his college years.
Atson feels he made the right choice going to South Kent, saying he was never comfortable at Christ the King even after helping the Royals win a second-straight Catholic High School Athletic Association title and state Federation Class AA crown. Being at South Kent has forced him to raise his level of play.
“The competition is a lot better,” Atson said. “Practices are a lot harder against greater guys.”
South Kent isn’t exactly Brooklyn, though. There was an adjustment for sure — to rural life, to an all-boy schools, and to a new team — but so far, Atson has gotten everything he’d hope for out of the switch.
And with little else to do in the area, and the gym right near his room, Atson has had a chance to focus on honing his skills — and it shows.
“For a guard his size, he is one of the best rebounders in the country,” Jefferson said. “He’s improved his jump shot, which was always a question. They didn’t know if he can shoot the ball. He is doing that now. All his guard skills were in question at one point. He’s really silencing those critics.”
