Unsigned Senior Spotlight - Bille Sheikh
If you're looking for a pure point guard, one who had a huge impact on their team's success this year beyond what you'll find on the stat sheet, look no further than Bridgton Academy's Bille Sheikh.
The Wolverines had their best season in nearly a decade in the NEPSAC AAA ranks, and Sheikh was a big reason why.
Basketball has literally brought Sheikh around the world in only a matter of years. He was born in Tokyo and grew up in Japan dreaming of playing college basketball. He moved to Washington for high school and played at West Seattle High School in the Metro League while guiding his squad to a 18-9 record against national caliber programs including Rainier Beach, Garfield, and O'Dea among others.
This year, it was a similar story, as he came to Maine for his post-graduate year and again played a critical role for a team that overachieved amongst tremendous competition.
And yet, Sheikh remains very under-recruited, especially here in the northeast region where his value was very apparent to those paying attention.
By the Numbers
Height: 6-0
Position: Point Guard
Academics: 3.7 GPA & 1170 SAT
Personal Statement
"I pride myself in hard work. I will always improve and progress as a player. I truly love the game of basketball and I love to compete. I will do anything the team needs. I try to do the little things on the court, that might not always standout, but will help the team. Me being a point guard, I also take pride in my leadership. I want to always be responsible for myself and others on and off the court. At the end of the day, I love to win and will do whatever it takes for that to happen."
Recommendation
"Bille embodies the principle that good things come in small packages. Pound for pound, I'm sure our guys would agree, he's one of the toughest kids they've come across. His basketball IQ is off the charts; he is in fact a coach on the floor. We played two point guards guards a lot because he made too many winnings plays to sit him too long. He's the first guy to equal my son's season record for number of charges taken. He was instrumental in our team being better this year. He's the type of kid who will find college minutes earlier than you might expect, or who could likely play higher than his projected level. He will be tough to replace here."
- Whit Lesure, Head Coach, Bridgton Academy
Scouting Report
In a day and age where true point guards are few and far between, Sheikh is a throwback who clearly prioritizes winning over personal accolades or stats. He's very smart with good floor vision and passing ability. He uses his dribble to attract multiple defenders and create for others first and foremost. He's a threat in drive and kick action, coming off ball-screens or getting out in the open floor. He hits receivers on time and on target and is also just as likely to make the pass that leads to the assist as the assist itself. He's a capable scorer when opposing defenses start to play him for the pass as well as he's quick off the bounce, crafty with his finishing package, and more than capable of making open rhythm shots. Defensively, he's quick and pesky on the ball and an elite team defender who rotates and takes charges as well as anyone in the prep ranks. Collectively, he's a prospect who is more than the sum of his stats and measurements because he impacts winning in the ways that aren't glamorous enough for most others to prioritize.
Video Highlights
Bille Sheikh