By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor Pasadena coach Tony Brooks recently called Tavian Percy, his Miami transfer, ‘the nicest kid in America.’ PHS superstar Bryce Hamilton believes the Bulldogs would have won both CIF and State titles last year had Percy been on their roster. The two statements above are pretty much all you need to […]
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
Pasadena coach Tony Brooks recently called Tavian Percy, his Miami transfer, ‘the nicest kid in America.’
PHS superstar Bryce Hamilton believes the Bulldogs would have won both CIF and State titles last year had Percy been on their roster.
The two statements above are pretty much all you need to know about how smoothly the transition went for Percy and his teammates and coaches.
The 6-foot-6 Percy was ‘the man’ back in Miami, and for many athletes, that would be satisfying enough.
But Percy wanted more.
While competing for Under Armour, he went up against the nation’s top prep players at tournaments in the off-season.
It made Percy long for bigger things.
He wanted to play for an elite program and against the best competition possible to not only help take his game to another level, but also to be noticed by college scouts and coaches.
Let’s go back to Percy being ‘the man’ for a second.
Most players of his stature (pun intended) have an ego on par with their skills.
But in our first interview, while discussing the Pacific League, we asked Percy how he feels like he fit in on a team with established stars Darius Brown II, Darius Mason and Bryce Hamilton.
We sort of expected him to, in some way, say in time that he could be the PHS star because of his off-the-charts skills and versatility.
Without blinking an eye, Percy said simply, “I just want to do my part in helping PHS win a state championship.
Those few words spoke volumes.
Percy moved from Miami to Pasadena with his mom Teresa, and the assimilation process couldn’t have gone better.
He averages 12 points and 5 rebounds per game.
Percy is shooting 47% from the field and 41% from behind the 3-point arc.
He’s second in rebounds with 78 and he’s hit 27 3-point shots.
Pasadena is 12-6 overall and 5-1 in the Pacific League.
That record, though is very misleading.
PHS has played a schedule from hell, including tournaments, and Darius Mason, Darius Brown II and Percy himself were injured for about a three week span.
But since the full-time return of Brown and Percy, Pasadena is 5-0 and they’ve won those games by a margin of 398-232.
Percy is a pure shooter, he passes the ball well, and is a good rebounder, but what makes Brooks most happy is his intensity on the defensive end.
He can fill any role that Brooks needs and better yet, he’s an intelligent, humble and polite young man.
Percy has a 3.6 grade-point average and he carries himself incredibly well.
“My parents (Teresa and Terry) have raised me to value my education and treat people well,” Percy said. “I know I’m a reflection of my parents and I don’t ever want to let them down.”
Percy’s dad Terry still lives in Miami and it’s been hard on his father not to see his son play.
“I hadn’t missed a practice or work out since he was 4,” Terry Percy said. “We thought this would be a perfect opportunity for him to get away, and yet still have his mom there. It gives him a taste of what it’s like not to be nurtured. I hear he is doing well and has been accepted by his teammates. Of all things, I am most proud of Tavian for being a humble young man.”
Percy’s father still hasn’t met Tony Brooks in person yet.
But he does know, from multiple sources, that his son is in the best hands possible.
Brooks is one of the most respected coaches and men in the area, and with much of that due to his dedication to his athletes growth as players, students and people.
Brooks emphasizes education daily and his other three stars (Hamilton, Brown, Mason) all have GPA’s well over the 3.0 mark.
Tavian Percy has said Brooks is like a second father and how much he appreciates all the time his coach has spent welcoming him to a new environment and making him feel at home.
His teammates have been equally good hosts.
From the minute I walked on campus, they all made me feel like I was wanted and it made me feel so good,” Percy said. “We are like brothers and we hang out all the time together.
Percy credits his teammates with his growth as a player too.
“They have helped me raise my game,” he said. “Darius Brown II is a true point guard and he gets everyone involved. Darius puts our team first, and doesn’t worry about getting the limelight. Bryce is someone, that despite all the recognition, doesn’t let it get to his head. There is so much more to Bryce than just scoring. He can pass and make plays.”
Brooks said there are several schools that have shown interest in Percy’s services next year, but that he expects more to come once Percy’s game continues to rise.
We asked Brooks what he’d tell a scout or coach about what Percy would bring to their program.
Said Brooks: “I would say there are four levels to what he brings. He can shoot the ball from distance and he scores at all three levels. The second thing is he can beat you off the dribble, despite being 6-foot-6. Third, he’s athletic and can elevate and play even when hands are in his face, and fourth, he is an interested defender.
And those are just his on-the-court traits. His academics, and his demeanor and character are all part of Tavian. He is going to make some school very happy to get him on the court, and more so, proud to have him represent their school and program.”
As we mentioned early on. Percy came out west to play with and against the best.
He’ll get his first taste of the magic rivalry between the Muir and Pasadena programs this Friday at 8 p.m. at Maranatha High School.
It’s the first time in Brooks’ 5-year reign that the Bulldogs enter the match up trailing the Mustangs in the standings.
Pasadena has won 13 consecutive Pacific League titles and they are just one-game back of Muir (14-5, 6-0).
Time will tell if PHS is able to win a CIF and/or State title, but what is known is that Percy’s elevation as a player will continue, and his character is and will always be beyond reproach.
Quotable:
PHS coach Tony Brooks: “He is incredibly selfless, a great athlete and player. One of the most attractive traits about him is how much he wants to just be a part of our team and do his part. There is a transition with everyone and kids don’t want to come in like a bull in a China shop. The team on campus accepted him immediately, and that’s an attribute to the kids already here. He has grown every week. His numbers depend on the game. We might be shooting a high percentage where you don’t have a lot of chances at rebounds. His current role: we have a renewed interest in our defense and Tavian is able to play the brand of defense Pasadena plays. His role is execute at the highest level and that includes finishing off a defensive possession with a blockout or rebound. Offensively, he brings a pure shot from the outside. He is a great athlete and has a great lift. There have been times where he pulls up for a shot, and he has great lift—a hand can be outstretched, but he can elevate to a level and get off a shot. The most underrated part of his game is how well he plays defense.”
Muir coach Simaine Stewart: “From what I have seen, he is a really good athlete, long , and a really good shooter. His skills have given Pasadena HS another weapon that complements their style of play.”
PHS senior Darius Brown II: “He came in and played his role to help the team and not for his own glory. He does his part to make us better. His height/size help us grab rebounds, he can dribble and shoot. He’s very versatile and energetic. He is focused and yet loves to have fun. We all hang out together and put ourselves in his shoes how we’d feel if someone new came in. I appreciate how accepting he is of his role coming from a school where he was the man and being a part of us as a team.”
PHS senior Bryce Hamilton: “Tavian is a great person on and off the court. He’s very funny and he’s always smiling and laughing. He fit in well with our team because we are all determined and focused, and we all have the same goals, which is to win a CIF and State championship. He’s brought a lot to the team with his ability to score the basketball and rebounding with his athleticism. He is one of the missing links that we needed last year in the playoffs.”
PHS junior Darius Mason: “He is a good person to be around and is always smiling and laughing. He is a great player and hits big shots for us when we need them most, and he’s always positive and has a good vibe.”
Getting To Know Tavian Percy:
Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan
Favorite team: Miami Heat
Favorite movie: Like Mike
Favorite musical artist: 21 Savage
Musical artist I like that might surprise people: Selena Gomez
Famous person (alive or dead) I’d most want a conversation with: Lebron James
