“I’m here to get better,” Romeo Weems said of attending the Reaching Higher Showcase. “I want to learn.”
Romeo Weems had a performance to remember at the Peach Tree Jam in Georgia last week, and his stock is rising across the country.
The 6-foot-6 swingman from New Haven is just beginning his sophomore year, but scouts have him ranked as one of the top sophomores in the country.
“They took the top-two teams from each pool, and we lost before that,” Weems said of his Peach Jam experience. “I learned that we have to play smarter and finish the games at the end.
“I’m here to get better. I want to learn. I have to work on everything. My dribbling and shoot the ball better.”
New Haven coach Tedaro France II brought Weems to the MHSAA Reaching Higher Showcase in Milford on Wednesday to make sure the rest of the state realized how good he is.
“I think ESPN came out, and he’s ranked 13th in the country in his class, so that’s huge,” France said. “I get calls all the time, and he should be top 10 before the fall. Scouts are calling me all the time.”
Versatile enough to play point guard, shooting guard or small forward, Weems also is a top-flight quarterback who is in line to be the starter once football practice starts next month.
France, who attended Central Michigan on a football scholarship, isn’t worried about his star getting hurt on the football field.
“I like kids who can play different sports,” France said. “I loved hoop. That was my main sport as a kid. But yet I got a full ride playing football at CMU. I encourage kids to play multiple sports. Just don’t be a one-sport kid. We have such a small school I encourage our guys to play multiple sports.”
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He deemed Weems special.
“He’s just skilled,” France said. “He’s 6-6 with a strong arm, and he’s going to help our (football) team out greatly.”
For his age and skill set, Weems has a chance to be one of the better two-sport athletes to come out of the state.
“I haven’t seen one yet that can do what he does,” France said. “He’s athletic, and his IQ is unreal for his age. I haven’t seen that yet in a kid. The things he has done, I haven’t seen it before from a kid that young.”
As a freshman, Weems led New Haven in assists, rebounding and steals despite playing with two seniors who were both taller than 6-9.
Detroit Henry Ford has ended New Haven’s basketball season each of the past two seasons in the quarterfinals.
“They beat me once,” Weems said. “We turned the ball over, and they got out and ran on us, and we didn’t get back. Next time we get there it’ll be like a chip on my shoulder. We have to do way better and win this time. Next time I’ll be ready.”
As an eighth-grader, he was starring at quarterback for the Clinton Township Cowboys.
“I just like playing football,” Weems said. “I’ll start at quarterback. I’m looking forward to it. We’re looking good this year.”
Despite being able to play all three wing positions, Weems said he’ll have to do more work in the post.
“We’ll be good,” Weems said. “I’ll have to get in there and get rebounds this year. This year we’re a little smaller, so it’s me and Aston Sherrell to get rebounds. I’ll play center on defense.”
Contact Perry A. Farrell: 313-222-2555 or pafarrell@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @farrellperry.