IndiHoops 2020 Nationals Team Preview: Thunderstruck 2020

Team 

Thunderstruck

Location

Gainesville, FL

History

Matt Brush established the Thunderstruck program after his experience coaching a 6th grade travel team. During that experience he discovered how great a hurdle a lack of finances can be to a player’s exposure and development over the summer. Brush then set out to bridge the gap between wealth and exposure by providing opportunities to low income players; all he asked in return was high performance in the classroom and great attitudes on and off the court. Today, the program showcases 10th through 4th grade teams and competes in tournaments around the country and has won a number of tournaments.

Roster 

Kynain Murphy – PG 5’8″ 140lbs – attends Mebane Middle School in Alachua, FL

Jordan Smith – SF 5’9″ 140lbs – attends Richardson Middle School in Lake City, FL

Jeremiah James – CG 5’8′ 150lbs – attends Williston Middle School in Williston, FL

Torey Buie -SG 5’9″ 130lbs – attends P.K. Yonge Middle School in Gainesville, FL

JacobiByrd – SG 5’7″ 140lbs – attends P.K. Yonge Middle School in Gainesville, FL

Jacari Byrd – PF 5’10” 150lbs – attends P.K. Yonge Middle School in Gainesville, FL

Gervon Dexter– C 6’6″ 200lbs – attends Frostproof Middle School in Frostproof, FL

Miller Lewis – C 6’3″ 220lbs – attends Howard Middle School in Ocala, FL

Leonard Manual – SF 6’4″ 190lbs – attends Howard Middle School in Ocala, FL

Marquez Bell -CG 5’9″ 130lbs – attends Lake City Middle School in Lake City, FL

Tyrece Freeman – CG 5’9″ 130lbs – attends Hamilton County Middle School in Jasper, FL

Tyree Taylor – G 5’9″ 140lbs – attends Hamilton County Middle School in Jasper, FL

KZ Hutchinson – G 5’5″ 120lbs – attends Westwood Middle School in Gainesville, FL

2016 Season 

The Florida based squad is a decorated as any team entering the IWC field. Before falling to the Atlanta Celtics and the NY Rens this year, the team had a winning streak of close to 100-0 dating back to May of 2015. Despite the recent losses, the team took home the vaunted NYBL trophy after deafeating the Atlanta Celtics by 10 points in overtime and solidied themselves as one of the top 8th grade teams in the country. The troop is coming off of last year’s National Championship hungry for more hardware on the mantel and with the likes of the brawny 6’6 center Gervon Dexter, 6’4 slasher Leonard Manual, and 5’9 playmaker Jordan Smith, the team should be fun to watch. “[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][We] are definitely a high tempo, aggressive defensive team [that] likes to press” stated founder Matt Brush

 Head Coach

Coach Vernnis Jenkins graduated from Santa Fe high school in 2009. He received a full football scholarship from San Jose State. Coach Jenkins was a graduate assistant coach at Warner University. Coach Jenkins coached a very successful Each1Teach1 team in South Florida.

He returned to Gainesville to coach basketball in his home town. Coach Jenkins has coached at every level of AAU, High School and College basketball.