Stafford Trueheart

 

It’s always a good sign when a student-athlete declines an interview because he’s busy with homework. Stafford Trueheart was available the next day, and this kid has quite the level head for a freshman in high school.

Trueheart is 6 feet, 5 inches and 180 pounds with size 14 shoes. He averages a double double (points and rebounds) for Canisius High School, and also plays for the Albany City Rocks, a premier New York State travel team.

“We’re still waiting for his growth spurt,” said Trueheart’s father, who also has the name Stafford. Trueheart may end up being 6 feet, 10 inches by the time he’s done growing.

While playing for Chrisitian Central Academy’s varsity team in eighth grade, Trueheart threw down his first dunk in competition. He helped lead his team to a C League title, but then decided to transfer to Canisius so that his game could be honed around better athletes.

“I was the only freshman on their junior varsity team,” Trueheart said of Canisius. “Junior varsity wasn’t doing much for me, so I moved to varsity and things got a lot harder.”

Trueheart says his offense has “come along,” but he’s all about the defense –– rebounds and a bunch of blocked shots. “Defense is the main thing,” he added. “I really value that. When I see a ball floating in the air, I know that it’s mine.”

Trueheart first gripped a basketball at four years old, but his first real memory is from playing in a YMCA league when he was in second grade. Trueheart noticed that he was better than the other players around him. “My wife called in and was like, ‘I think we have a basketball player here,’” Mr. Trueheart remembers. “I played ball in high school and enjoyed every minute.”

Now, every week is planned out from the beginning for whatever basketball enterprises Trueheart has. “I just want to be successful at something that I enjoy, not something that I have to do,” he said. “I really enjoy everything about this, and the game helps me reach my goals. It’s fun, and it never feels like work.”

Canisius Head Coach Kyle Husband said that the sky is the limit for Trueheart. “He’s explosive and his athleticism is over the top,” he said. “He loves the game, and knows no weaknesses.”

According to Husband, Trueheart’s strengths are finishing in transition, rebounding, and blocking shots. Even though Trueheart came off the bench this past season, Husband expects him to be a starter for the next three years. “He listens, looks you in the eye, and wants to get better,” Husband said. “He doesn’t make many mistakes. He’ll be fun to watch for the next few years.”

Blocking shots has become common behavior for Trueheart. “He does that out of bed,” said Husband. “It’s quite easy for him. I’m psyched for what he’s going to be able to do for our team.”

Whenever Trueheart posts a double double, it’s either rebounds and blocks, or rebounds and points. “I’d rather have 10 points and win the game than 30 points and lose the game,” he said.

Canisius has won the Manhattan Cup three years in a row, but lost to Nazareth in the Class A state semifinals in 2013. Trueheart and his teammates want to return to the state competition in 2014. “I’ve always had good teammates,” he said. “We all get along, look out for each other, and understand the message. It’s a special brotherhood.”

Every season, Canisius features its players in a dunk contest. This year, Trueheart caught a between the legs pass for a slam, dunked off the side of the backboard, completed a double alley-oop, and slammed one home after taking off just inside the free throw line.

Remember, Trueheart is just a freshman. He’s hoping to here from colleges in the future, but that wish might turn to fact if he keeps progressing at this rate. Trueheart already knows that he wants to study sports business in college.

So, while high school season is out, Trueheart will play for the Albany City Rocks. He said that competition is the only thing that matters.

“If I’m ever stressed out, I can always go outside and shoot some hoops, and it makes me forget about everything,” Trueheart said. “I know that I can excel if I accept the challenge.”

Jordan J. Michael