Sherman wants to be like Mike

Think of a player wearing number 23, with a quick first step, good ball-handling skills, unstoppable above-the-rim moves, and the ability to take control of a game and score tough shots when his team needs it most.

Many would have thought of Michael Jordan, however in a few years the name Sherman Diaz may be first to your mind. This passionate Jordan fan has followed in the footsteps of his mentor by earning the national Most Valuable Player awards over the past two seasons while leading Diego Martin Secondary and Tranquillity Government Secondary to North Zone and National Secondary School Basketball titles. His exceptional play has drawn the attention of Division-1 talent scouts from US colleges. “I just love the game. I can’t play football at all, I just can’t kick a ball,” says 17 year-old Sherman. In the land of “soca-soccer mania” he was forced  to find another sport to play. Growing up in his River Estate, Diego Martin home, he and  a friend engaged in intense basketball battles, taking shots on an elevated trash holder nearby. Sherman says jokingly: “You don’t really have to write about the dustbin.” Humble beginnings tend to offer spectacular endings, this may be no exception.

Diaz credits nationally renowned basketball coach, Lenny Guy,  for developing his game. “Anywhere Lenny Guy was, I just used to try my best to be there,” he said. (The coaching offered by Guy is in such great demand that he can be found all over the country.)  “I travelled all over behind him just so I could learn the fundamentals of the game.” The six-foot 4-inch forward refers to Guy as the best influence on him during the developmental stages,  and calls him occasionally for advice. The accomplished teacher of the sport and role model to many, must be proud to see his student rise to such heights. Some would brush it off, saying that there are others better than him, or that he isn’t as good as people say. Regardless, he’s good enough to have led two separate secondary school teams to championships, few can boast of such credentials. “With every chance I get, I play,” said Diaz, “I want to play at a higher level.” He remains focused on his dream of playing college basketball in the US and says that he has heard too many stories about players who had the potential to be great, or were supposed to leave the country on scholarship, but succumbed to societal pressures and never fully developed. He added that he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity to receive free education and playing experience in a foreign university.

Ian “Poison” Gomez, local first division coach, and one of the few Trinidadians fortunate enough to play college basketball in the US, offered his expert analysis of the young star. Gomez said: “He is one of the few pure shooters that I’ve seen in a while, and he has a good grasp of the game.” The well known Brian Chase Academy coach recalled Sherman’s participation in one of his summer camps.  “I didn’t even realise that he was only 16 then, he was playing so well for his age.” said Gomez. The coach sees the need for minor improvement but says that at the college level, Diaz can have a major impact as a freshman. Sherman attributes his success to hard work, guidance from parents and coaches, and God’s blessings. His spiritual foundation was laid by his parents who raised their four children along a straight and narrow spiritual path. “I grew up in the church, the whole family always goes to church for as long as I can remember.” The impact of parental guidance is seen in many of his actions. He conducts himself with dignity both on and off the court, never allowing his emotions to overcome his peaceful demeanour.

When asked what he wished to pursue in life, Sherman said, “After basketball, life goes on, I just want to be a blessing to people, in the end I just want to be able to help people in any way God sees fit.” When Sherman steps on any court, there’s a force, I’ve witnessed it myself.  It may be recognition of talent, or plain envy, but opposing players put their all into containing or outshining him. Their manic attempts are almost always  futile though.  How good a player he thought he was? “I think I have some potential and I think that someday I’ll be really good.” He pointed out that basketball has helped him in a number of ways, including teaching him discipline, teamwork and offering a great sense of accomplishment.  In his socially conscious manner, he went on to offer some advice to any other young players, “Never think that you’re bigger than the game, but believe in yourself, because I never thought I’d be where I am now.” From shooting on a trash holder, to dunking against bigger, taller defenders at the St. Paul Street Complex, the future looks bright as two universities have already shown interest in him and he was invited to a practise session with one of the university teams.