Summer practice is supposed to be about development — slow gains, chemistry, and easing players into the system. But sometimes, a player doesn’t wait for the script. They rip it up.
And that’s exactly what Denzel Aberdeen just did.
He came into the summer as a returning guard with experience — a guy coaches could trust. But no one expected him to be this aggressive, this polished, this loud on both ends.
In a recent scrimmage, it was Aberdeen — not a freshman or one of the highly touted newcomers — who took over the flow. He commanded the floor with veteran calm, consistently got guys into sets, and even corrected defensive positioning mid-play.
Then came the burst.
A fearless drive into the lane ended with a tough and-one. On the next possession, he jumped a passing lane, dove for the ball, and pushed ahead for an easy transition dime. The gym exploded.
> “That’s a winning sequence,” one coach muttered.
“We’ve got decisions to make.”
And they do — because Denzel Aberdeen isn’t alone in shaking things up.
Jayden Quaintance continues to make noise up front. His physicality and energy have created real buzz around whether he’s a day-one starter despite his youth. Meanwhile, Brandon Garrison has looked sharp and assertive in the post — exactly what the coaching staff hoped for.
Trent Noah has quietly been one of the most consistent shooters on the roster, and Otega Oweh — when locked in — brings an edge and intensity on defense that’s hard to replicate.
But even with all that talent around him, it was Aberdeen who made the loudest statement in this particular practice.
He didn’t just compete — he took over stretches. He didn’t just make plays — he made winning plays. His command of the game stood out in a gym full of talent, size, and high-level athleticism.
And now? The guard rotation, once thought to be clear, feels wide open.
It’s still July. Nothing is official. But roles are forming — and Denzel Aberdeen may have just jumped a few names on the depth chart with one dominant day.
