Zion Harmon In Harmony

Play To His Beat

MSE Staff Writer: Guila L.

This player profile is about Zion Harmon’s basketball skillset and abilities nothing more – nothing less. It is not about age, grade, organization, rankings, coaches, wins, losses or YouTube. It is about a child who has a love for a game that has no promises or guarantees attached to it, only hard work and sacrifice to be successful at any level it is played. Forget what you know or what you think you know and understand this player – Zion Harmon is special not in the past or the future but today in the present. As someone who has watched him play and develop over the years with several area teams I have witnessed his ability to lead a team as a scoring point guard who has a very mature understanding of the game and how to play it at a level beyond his competitors. Scorers are often looked upon as selfish and difficult to play with at any level however at the middle school level as children are developing at their own rate some faster than others the scorer tends to stand out more so than others. Ball-hog? Not really – he is more so playing in a system designed to showcase his unique skillset at this stage in his development, as he continues to develop and players shuffle in and out and he is surrounded by more and more talent as other players develop – you will see this scorer take a greater role of facilitator, primary distributor- ball-handler. No child is a finished product at this stage in their development adjustments will / have to be made. As of now his vast game experience, ball-handling abilities and ability to penetrate the lane are above average. He knows when to push in transition – how to lead the fast-break and is equally able to finish at the basket with an array of shots both left and right handed. Can also penetrate and dish however has scorers mentality. Solid ball-handler who can also be flashy at times does not commit many turnovers. His jump shot has improved over the years and will continue to do so as he has solid three point range now something he didn’t have 2-3 years ago. The mechanics of his jump shot will continue to evolve and his athleticism will increase also. Zion has a strong desire to play hard, even thru injury combined with a relentless attack instinct and is also a clutch free throw shooter. Doesn’t take plays off and is tuned in defensively eagerly looking for mistakes or mental lapses to exploit opposing guards. Will rebound when needed. What most don’t realize is that Zion will not fade away as time goes on – his coaching staff is highly dedicated to seeing both he and the other players reach higher levels and have done so with previous high school players as well. Adjustments will be made and Zion will be willing to practice, sacrifice and put in the hard work necessary to succeed. I am unbiased as a writer – I have zero affiliation with Zion or the organization he plays for but I am as curious as everyone else as to how this story plays out as well as the story of many other talented middle school players in the DC, MD, Northern VA area.  I’m sure there will be surprises and disappointments along the way but it makes basketball all the more interesting at the middle school level. There will be “Phenoms” from an early age who continue to succeed and some to fall by the wayside on this journey, there will be kids who pick up the basketball for the first time at 13 years old and make the NBA along with every other scenario imagine-able within this game we all love. That is why I watch. Much continued improvement to Zion Harmon. (Stay tuned for more player profiles written by me here on MSE.)

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  1. Loadofcrap says:

    I am sorry. I can’t take this kid seriously. He is too old. Would love to see his birth certificate. Please stop force feeding him. He already Has a target on his back. Everyone will be gunning for him. Sad.

  2. Loadofcrap says:

    The level of his game is mature because he is two years older then many of his opponents. How can you ask people to forget what they know? How about letting a 8th grader play against 4th graders? I am sure his game would be mature too!

  3. langhornebball says:

    When a writer has to tell you they are unbiased that raises a red flag with me. I wish the kid luck.

  4. ATNATIONALS says:

    when glory goes to nationals this years why isn’t anyone protesting it or why haven’t they in the past? Is he really older or the age of a true 4th grader

  5. Joe Ball says:

    The little dude is a true 5th grader. I know this for a fact cause he played on my sons 2nd grade dc assault team. I’m not a big fan of his cause he hogs the ball to much. But I’m not taking nothing away from his game cause he can flat out put the ball in the basket. And I’ve seen it on 2019 level, 2020 level and 4th grade. At the end of the day he gets that work in and it shows in his game.

  6. Joe Ball says:

    And the time I seen him play against 6th graders, his 5th grade team was playing up.

  7. Fanofthegame says:

    I saw this kid play today at Nationals and the kid can play but he is cleary older by the way he plays the game. The other kid though on the Orlando Team Jayhawks had serious game scoring almost 30pts and coming close to willing his team to victory. He is the kid from the Lebron video below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDnUXrWZR60

  8. oknowwhat says:

    I don’t know people. I just watched the 4th grade Nationals in Charlotte NC and this kid from Wellington Florida was killing EVERYBODY! He was #6 and I think his name is Christopher Walker. He is by far the best shooter I’ve seen at this age group. He got to the basket at will and shoots the 3 as easy as he shoots a free throw. More impressive was his ability to find the open man after sucking in the defense. His team lost the Championship game after some VERY questionable calls from the refs and he had to leave the game for a little over a minute in the 4th due to injury. When I went to congratulate this outstanding young player, I literally had to wait in line. He was taking pictures with players from the opposing team and getting kudos from literally everyone. So if he’s not already on your radar.. he should be.

  9. Fanofthegame says:

    I am sure he was but the 4th grade Nationals in Charlotte, NC was D2. Wellington should have been playing D1.

    • oknowwhat says:

      Why should they have been playing D1?

      • Fan says:

        Cause D1 compatition is clearly better than D2. Bmore’s finest won D2 last year and didnt even place in D1 this year. He will not be considerd for anything as long as he is playing D2.

  10. Da Bizness says:

    @ Fan…right…Holla when you in D1..D2 is watered down

  11. who me says:

    Come on people these are little kids. You can’t projct at this age. Skill is important but size is key. At this age any kid with a greater understanding of the game will kill at this age. But eventually everyone who has played for awhile will have that knowledge and then size and skill will be the only determining factor. Right now it is murky. However what I look for is potential size (how big are parents older subling); shooting technique quickness, use of body to get open create space.. if the goal is D1 I will start judging in HS. Until them these kids should work hard in school and supplement with bball.

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