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NEW ORLEANS — Chris Birden made a name for himself as a two-time state champion at Newman, but his college recruitment ramped up when he finished his prep career at South Kent School in Connecticut.
“There’s about 11 NBA guys and 50 Division I guys who went through that program. So, that’s a big reason why I went over there, because I knew that school produces NBA and college-level talent,” Birden said.
Birden averaged around 17 points and 8 rebounds in his senior year.
The increase in production and exposure drew interest from schools like UConn, South Florida, and Texas State.
But the former Greenie signed with Miami.
“I took a visit in October, and they’ve been following my journey throughout my senior year, which I felt was one of my best years in a long time. So they’ve just been following me, and I finally made that decision about three weeks ago. I just thought it was the best decision for my development and getting to where I want to be,” Birden said.
Chris Birden’s game is night and day from what we saw in uptown New Orleans.
CHRIS: “I could shoot. I could dribble. I could playmake. I feel like my IQ has gotten better. My body has gotten bigger. I feel like my game is college-ready. I just feel like I’ve got to work on my body and the physicality of it. But I feel like in terms of game-wise, I feel like I’m ready to play at that level,” Birden said.
He was 6’7 when he left, and now he’s bigger and stronger, with a skill set capable of impacting a DI rotation.
“Chris is 18 years old. He’s 6’10 now with a 6’10 wingspan. He’s got a 42-inch vertical. He runs the floor like a deer. Three-level scorer. 40-plus percent from the three-point line. I mean, he’s just a phenomenal kid to work with because he loves to work,” said Delgado assistant and player development coach Rory Poplion.
That work is centered around studying players like Toumani Kamara and Jaden McDaniels while preparing for the physicality of the ACC with coach Rory Poplion back home in the metro area.
“The ACC breeds talent, and it’s a place where you’ve got to become great. So, I feel like it’s just a place where if I put myself in a position like that, in a place where I’m forced to grow. I feel like I’m going to become an NBA-level guy,” Birden said.
“I think Chris has pro potential, and he’s only going to get better being at a school like Miami,” Poplion added.
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