Team Insight

TEAM BASKETBALL Holden Axtell Talks Hoops Holden, 17, is a student at Berean Christian School in West Palm Beach, FL. He is a member of the school's varsity boys basketball team and plays for the school's summer/travel team, too. is fall, he will be a senior at Berean Christian School. Ball talk: "I like to play with the Wilson Evolution basketball, which is the official basketball of the Florida High School Athletic Association." Shoe preference : "I like a basketball sneaker that is simple, lightweight, comfortable and provides support in all the right places." Favorite shoe: "I like to wear the Giannis shoe from Nike. I have also worn two pairs of the Nike KD's." Buying power: "Usually my head coach makes decisions on uniforms for our high school and travel team." Brand importance: "Brands are important because brands breed trust." Cool brands ... "I am dressed head-to-toe in Nike. Nike is always cool." Who pays: "My mom pays for my basketballs, shoes, apparel and accessories. I also get items from my high school team." LT Noegel Talks Hoops LT, 17, is a student at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, FL. He is a member of the varsity basketball team and he also plays for the Wellington Wolves travel team. is fall, he will be a senior at Cardinal Newman. Ball talk: "It's the EVO Wilson NXT. is is the basketball that all the high schools (in Florida) use. I have one to use when I get shots up at the gym, too. is ball has an amazing grip. It is important to train and practice with the same ball you will be playing with in the game." Shoe preference: "I want them to be light, provide good ankle support, a low-to-medium top and to be tight so my feet don't move." Favorite shoe: "e Ja Morant One. ey are efficient and they support me when I am making quick sharp movements. My feet feel secure when jumping and these shoes give me extra bounce." Buying power: "I don't have a choice for my travel team or my high school team. I do get to purchase and wear my shoes and socks. For my travel team, we wear Nike uniforms, gear and warmups. For my high school team, we wear Adidas uniforms. I prefer the Nike uniforms." Cool brands: "e two top brands are still Nike and Adidas. For shoes there are many popular names Nike KD, LeBron, JT, Adidas Hardens and AEs (Anthony Edwards), which didn't work for me. For slides, I wear Birkenstocks. Sock preference: "I only wear Nike socks and they have to be white." Horror stories: "I ordered the Anthony Edwards shoe and was really excited to get them. Aer wearing them a few times, I knew they were not for me. ey just didn't feel right. A basketball shoe has to feel right and what works for one player might not work for another." Michael Paul Talks Hoops Michael, 12, is a student at Polo Park Middle School in Wellington, FL. He is a member of the school's basketball team and plays for the Wellington Wolves travel team, too. is fall, he will be a seventh grader at Polo Park Middle School. Ball talk: "I like using the Nike Elite basket- ball because it is so and feels smooth on my fingers." Shoe preference: "I need my basketball shoes to be lightweight with a great cushion insole. My feet are slightly wider by the toes so the material needs to be flexible. I also want my basketball shoes to be good on dusty courts and have a good grip." Favorite shoe: "e Kobe 8 from Nike." Buying power: "My school's basketball uni- forms and the uniforms I wear for my travel basketball team's unform are decided by the school or the club. However, we purchase our own sneakers and accessories." Favorite brands: "For basketball shoes I like shoes from Nike, Adidas and Jordan. For slides, I like Crocs, Yeezy, Kappa and Uggs. For apparel, I prefer Fear of God Essentials, Denim Tears, Eric Emanuel and Sp5der." Sock preference: "I prefer to wear white Nike ankle socks." Who pays: "My parents pay for all my bas- ketball and sports items." n 14 • Team Insight ~ July/August 2024 teaminsightmag.com Holden Axtell LT Noegel Michael Paul

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