‘A blessing in disguise’ Glenbard West’s Braden Huff got busy during quarantine, sees recruitment take off

Braden Huff called time spent in quarantine a blessing in disguise.

Glenbard West opponents will be cursing it.

As a sophomore last season, Huff teased the kind of next-level potential that makes college coaches drool. He’s an ideal stretch four in the modern game. But the physical nature of varsity basketball took its toll.

Left with extra time alone this past spring, Huff got busy reshaping his body to shape his future.

“I got time to focus on my body and focus on the weight room,” Huff said. “Working on my game, creating my own shot as a facilitator, it’s been good to really focus on what I can improve on with my weaknesses.”

The Hilltoppers could hardly complain about the season Huff put up last year. He averaged 15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.5 assists while shooting a cool 39% from the 3-point line. Not bad for a kid who’s 6-foot-10 with shoes on.

Since then Huff has schooled himself to be better prepared for the book on how to guard him. He valued getting bigger, faster and stronger, strengthening his muscles and ligaments. He worked with the Acceleration training program once or twice a week to gain flexibility, strength and explosion.

“Last year the game plan guarding me was to try to focus on being physical with me. As a sophomore, it was a good learning experience,” Huff said. “I learned how to play through it. Just being stronger allows me to take those hits and bumps and finish through contact.”

Glenbard West coach Jason Opoka immediately noticed a difference in Huff’s body. Huff’s put on 15-20 pounds to get to around 220. He better understands his movements as he grows into his body.

“April, May, June, Braden made an effort to challenge himself,” Opoka said. “Every day he was going to make himself better no matter what. Going through personal workouts, working with Chris Conrad in the Barn. He found opportunities to improve himself because he loves the game.”

Even in a far from normal year for kids figuring out the recruiting process, Huff’s stock took off. He received scholarship offers from Northwestern, Creighton and Virginia Tech in June. Wisconsin offered in July. He joined the Illinois Wolves AAU program, with tape from intra-squad scrimmages sent out to coaches.

“College coaches, they see that potential, that skill set, the ability to shoot the basketball and work inside the post and facilitate for others,” Opoka said. “It’s a skill set you don’t normally see in a 6-9 or a 6-10 kid. They thrive off the potential knowing that the potential is not yet developed.”

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play college. Developing skills on the perimeter is a huge help to reach those goals.”

—  Glenbard West junior Braden Huff

It shouldn’t surprise that Huff looks up to Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, another tall, lean basketball talent with guard-like skills who can just as easily punish defenses in the post or stretch them out on the perimeter.

Huff said that his dad, who played one year of Division III basketball in Pennsylvania, encouraged Braden to develop his skills at a young age, for practical reasons.

“You never know when you’re going to stop growing,” Huff said. “You don’t want to be a 6-4, 6-5 post player. It’s always been a dream of mine to play college. Developing skills on the perimeter is a huge help to reach those goals.”

Big long-term goals, yes, but there is still plenty to get done in Glen Ellyn.

The Hilltoppers are bursting with talent – and size – to surround Huff, and are set up well for a good two-year run. Caden Pierce, a 6-foot-5 combo guard, has offers from UIC and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 6-3 Paxton Warden is a third returning starter who is only a junior and 6-7 junior Ryan Renfro moved back after a year in Dallas.

Good reason, then, that Opoka, Huff and the rest are eager to get in some games as soon as possible.

“It’s been pretty crazy, these last couple weeks,” Huff said. “A couple weeks ago we thought we weren’t going to have a season; now everything is changed. We’ve been ready to go since November so we’re excited.”