Tom Diener.
Photo courtesy of Mark Markowski
might have fielded one of the nation’s top 25 basketball teams during the upcoming season – that is until two of its premier players transferred to out-of-state prep schools.
Veteran coach Tom Diener told MaxPreps that 6-foot-8 senior Darnell Harris is at Christian Life Center (Humble, Texas), while 5-8 senior point guard Charles Lee is attending Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.Va.).
Both would have been three-year starters. Last year they helped Hamilton post a 20-4 record, win the Milwaukee City Conference and reach the Division I state quarterfinals.
Harris, a slender 185-pounder, averaged 13.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and shot 45 percent from 3-point range. Lee averaged 12.5 points, 5.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds.
"Darnell has tremendous perimeter game skills: shooting, passing, pivoting," Diener said. "He can really shoot the three. As he gains strength he will become one of the premier recruits in the country. I think you will see him in the NBA some day.
"Lee has a complete skill set: great jump shot, passer and very good defender. He’ll become one of the best point guards in the Horizon League (he has committed to Cleveland State)."
With Harris and Lee, Hamilton would have likely earned the state's preseason No. 1 ranking and been in the conversation for national consideration.
"Both kids called me and I hope it works out for them," Diener said. "I told them that they are giving up a lot, to be high school state champs."
Diener mentioned a couple of reasons Trying to analyze in general terms why players transfer, Diener said, "They probably think they can’t qualify (academically for college). Others leave to get more structure and have a safe home life."
Diener pointed out that four other Division I prospects from his conference also have moved to prep schools, including Vincent's Deonte Burton, a potential top 10 prospect in the rising sophomore class. Burton will play at Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) this season.
"I think the state association is going to have to wake up and let high school coaches get more involved (with players) in the summer," Diener said. "Perhaps we can run some tournaments and camps that are sanctioned."
Diener has been one of Wisconsin’s premier coaches for 25 years. He placed four of his Milwaukee Vincent teams in the USA Today Super 25. This will be his third year at Hamilton, which had won just one game the year before he was named head coach. The Wildcats won 16 in his first year and 20 last year.
"This is not going to change our goal of being state champion," the veteran coach vowed. "We’re still going to be very good. Elgin Cook (a 6-5 senior who has made a verbal to Iowa State) has a chance to be player of the year in the state of Wisconsin."
