The Rise of a Hybrid Athlete

Versatility can destroy an opposing defense by the different variations of attack on the offensive side of the ball. In today's world, versatile players are being referred to as 'hybrids', which is a combination of two or more different things aimed at achieving a particular objective or goal. From the hardwood on the basketball court to the trenches of a football field, these sort of players are springing up across the nation, but in rare forms. Cheshire Academy's, Eric Katenda (Jr.), is most-certainly a gem that colleges across the nation are starting to recruit and hunt down.

Standing tall at 6'9" and weighing in a little over 200 pounds, Katenda has a big frame for his age playing at the wing/power forward position. He is a very long athlete who can make open shots with ease and lockdown his opponents on defense. This past season with the Cats, Katenda put up an outstanding 28 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists per game while finishing 16-8 and making it to the playoffs in the state of Connecticut. He is currently playing with the Albany City Rocks AAU squad who participated in the Boo Williams Invitational at the beginning of April, in which Recruit Empire was there to witness Katenda put up 22 points a contest against some of the best competition across the country.

Katenda is known to make a ton of positive plays to motivate his team each series on the court from being active on the glass and blocking shots, to scoring relentlessly from any range whether it be from under the glass, mid-range jumpers, or a three beyond the arc. He is capable of performing every task any coach would ever want from their players with the upmost energy and potential. This summer will allow Katenda to improve on the aspects of his game in which he feels he needs to work on, and according to him when asked about next season, the future star responded, "I need to work on pretty much everything. I am already trying to prepare myself for the next level." Is there such thing as a super-hybrid?

Preparing himself for the next level is a necessity that must occur sooner than later, for Katenda has already received Division-1 scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Siena, Stetson, and most-recently, the University of Iowa. Many sources have put Iowa as the leader in Katenda's college decision for the mere fact that newly hired coach Fran McCaffrey recently left Siena where he was originally recruited. But do not think Katenda is going to make a decision anytime soon. He is receiving high interest daily from schools across the country like Michigan, Colgate, Harvard, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Boston College, West Virginia, Xavier and many more. With college visits lined up and coaches waiting in line to meet with him at home, Katenda is excited to wrap up his high school tenure next season and continue his playing career somewhere that will use his versatility against all adversaries who try to stop him.

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