2020 NBA Draft: Eugene ‘Geno’ German could be a dark horse prospect

Eugene German could be a dark horse prospect in the 2020 NBA Draft

There’s something sinister about this story. Abandoned homes, buildings, and infrastructure. Graffiti. Ghastly streets with fear. Gunshots. To make a long story short, dangerous. The narrative is simple. Residents either become a product of “change”, or of “criminality” at their own volition.

In a jungle of crime, drugs, and savagery, Geno was more “predator” than “prey.”

That was the mentality growing up in Gary, Indiana. Survival. Poverty. Violence. But a work-ethic unmatchable to most basketball players you’ll see is what makes Eugene German a unique guard prospect in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft, slated to take place October 16th.

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Never outworked. Never out-dribbled. Unguardable, most would say. But Geno isn’t playing for fame, he’s playing for family. A chance to make it out. He’s tough. He’s competitive. Seldomly gets tired.

His work ethic is shown impeccably at gyms, playgrounds, and various workout facilities. German’s father, David Jr., a former high school guard for Horace Mann High School in the 1980s, noticed his son’s dexterity at an early age. Sadly, he passed away this year during the global pandemic. Geno’s best memories on the court came with his father.

This was before he became a sensational ball-handler and scoring deity. He was noticed by an AAU coach at a local church tournament. That exposure was imperative for playing time before the high school ranks. He first attended Andrean High School located in Merrillville, Indiana. Then, he transferred to Theodore Roosevelt High School. Geno didn’t suit up for Roosevelt and ended up leaving to further his career at the 21st Century Charter School of Gary.

Soon as 21st Century’s gym doors opened, his scoring adroitness marveled coaches, teammates, fans, and eventually everyone in the Hoosier state.

As an incoming sophomore, German averaged 17 points per game. But his work ethic and fitness regime would translate to a more substantial average one year later. German lead the state in scoring as a junior with a miraculous 32-point per game average. But here’s something strange.

The 6-foot elusive scoring threat didn’t have power-five offers coming out of high school. He wasn’t heavily recruited by high-major Division I institutions despite averaging 30 points per game. A dilemma that made German more assiduous in training. The work-ethic was initiated early, but the persistence came to light his senior season.

German averaged 33.5 points per game leading 21st Century to a regional championship. During the same season, he captured nine 40-point games, in addition to a 51-point show against national powerhouse La Lumiere School. The consequential effort resulted in a full-ride scholarship from mid-major Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

Geno led the state in scoring two straight seasons. According to the IHSAA (Indiana High School Basketball Association), DeShaun Thomas, a former Ohio State Buckeye, was the last player to lead the state in scoring two consecutive seasons (2009, 2010) at Fort Wayne Bishop Luers. But after a dominating high school tenure, German was ready to inbound the ball at the collegiate level. When he arrived at NIU in 2017, the scoring continued.

A Mid-American Conference (MAC) all-freshman team selection, German scored a career-high 27 points in a conference match-up against Toledo. That’s when he became the warrior everyone knew him as growing up in Gary. Physiques are important, which forced German to add muscle to his frame.

Once that happened, his work-ethic began to show in his game. A tremendous senior season for the Huskie offense, Geno averaged 20.1 points per game capping off his NIU career. He amazingly racked up 2,203 points in four seasons (2016-2020) at Northern Illinois University to become the all-time leading scorer in school history.

A Lou Henson All-America selection, Geno also earned All-MAC first-team honors, moreover to being named to the Lou Henson National Player of the Year watch list. Hitting the 2,000 point career mark places him fifth all-time in MAC basketball history.

Eugenia German, Geno’s mother, is more proud of her son’s academic journey as opposed to scoring 2,000 points. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies. A warrior with education.

The NIU glory days have ended. German’s focus now is preparation for the 2020 NBA Draft. He’s trained and played in multiple Pro-Ams amid the global pandemic. Nothing would mean more than an NBA contract.

Impeccable work ethic. Non-stop in the jungle. He was born Eugene German. But if there’s any “prey” in the jungle, watch out for GENO.