Larry Hughes II is a sophomore shooting guard at Christian Brothers College (CBC) in St. Louis, MO and the son and namesake of former NBA player Larry Hughes, who is one of the most heralded basketball players to come out of St. Louis. Aside from a shared name, the high school career of the 6-4 wing has several things in common with his well-known father.
Both players began their high school careers at CBC. The younger Hughes played summer basketball with Brad Beal Elite (BBE). In 1996, the elder Hughes led the St. Louis Eagles (now Brad Beal Elite) to a 17 and under AAU National Championship. During the 1997–98 season, Larry, Sr. led Saint Louis University to the second round of the NCAA tournament. In October, the Billikens became the first school to extend an offer to Larry II. Finally, the high school coach of the younger Hughes, Justin Tatum (father of NBA Player Jayson Tatum), played on the 1997 State Championship Team at CBC alongside the senior Larry Hughes and AAU Coach Ryan Johnson.
Despite these commonalities, the younger Hughes is on a definite path to establishing a reputation of his own. After a freshman year which was hampered by injury, the smooth, sharpshooting guard is starting to attract the attention of division one programs early in his sophomore campaign, so I thought that it would be a great time for Larry to join me in a Q&A:
Q: What are your goals related to your team this season? How is it progressing?
A: My individual goals for this season are to become more aggressive on offense and the defensive side and to get that dog mentality to come out of me. As far as team goals go, we are one of the top teams in the state and have a chance to win our conference, district, and state games. I feel like my personal and team goals are progressing well and are being achieved.
Q: How have you coped with having such a recognizable name in the basketball community?
A: I honestly don’t feel any pressure with having the name. I know what legacy comes behind my last name. I just play my game and do what’s best for me and my teammates.
Q: Saint Louis University has already offered. What does it mean to have them show interest so early?
A: It means a lot. I appreciate Coach Ford (Saint Louis University Head Coach) and the staff for taking a chance on me and giving me an opportunity to play at the next level.
Q: Are there any other schools that have expressed interest?
A: Several schools have showed interest. I just keep being humble and hungry and go with the results that come along with playing the game I love.
Q: What are you looking for in a school?
A: I am looking for a school that wants me there, wants to see me succeed beyond basketball, and will help and prepare me for challenges on and off the basketball court.
Q: You are surrounded by so many exceptional and experienced guards. What kind of feedback have they given you?
A: I’m blessed to be in a position where I can get so much valuable information that most kids don’t have access to. The biggest feedback I’ve heard, throughout the years, is that the moment I become more aggressive will be the moment my game will expand, and more opportunities will open for me because of my talent.