Visibly nervous with the cameras from the Delta News shining brightly in his face, Gentry High School Rams senior guard Chris Minton shook off the nerves and announced that he would be suiting up this fall to play basketball for Itawamba Community College. With mother, Tirries Young and his coaches, Chico Potts and Edward Thomas, by his side, Minton elaborated on why he chose to play for head coach Grant Pate and the Indians. “He reminds me of coach Potts,” Minton explained. “He seems like both a coach and a father figure.”
Minton plans to study electrical technology and should see plenty of action right away for Itawamba. Six of the team’s listed roster players have graduated and the opportunity to showcase his talent and compete for minutes is ripe. “At the next level, I think the program will be getting a player who is willing to put the work in and get the job done,” Minton explained. “I’m the type of player who will play defense on every possession and get a bucket when my teams need it.”
Several of Minton’s video highlights demonstrate that he has great range on his shot and the ability to get to the basket. He has rounded into a more mature, complete player under coach Potts after clearing some major hurdles and setbacks. “I’ve coached him officially for two years,” Potts said. “I actually cut him his ninth-grade year and he came back and made the team his tenth-grade year. Of course, COVID came about during his eleventh-grade year and a major part of that season was missed. And this year was his senior year where he just put together a real solid season.”
Potts went on to say that Minton, like any player that has come through his program, will be prepared to play at the college level. And spiritually and emotionally, the head coach believes that Itawamba’s latest recruit has the intangibles to be successful. “I’m super proud of this kid because of his humility and overall humbleness of spirit,” Potts said. “Some kids are high maintenance. Some are low maintenance. Chris is no maintenance. He shows us, does what he supposed to do, and discipline is just part of his DNA.”
Minton wore number zero for Gentry. He wants his choice in jersey numbers to be an inspiration for those who follow to persevere in whatever arenas their passion resides.
“It was rough at first, but my advice to anybody who wants to pursue this is to stay disciplined, stay in the gym and keep working,” Minton said. “I’ll take just good work ethic with me to the next level.”
