A star is born in Guttenberg Basketball phenom Beatty drawing raves throughout state
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No, he's not like fellow teen sensation LeBron James yet, signing personal checks. But much like the Ohio basketball wizard, who is destined to become the no. 1 pick in the NBA Draft in June, Beatty has had to practice his signature.
"I've been signing some autographs after some games," Beatty said. "Even around school, even a few kids my own age. It's been a little bit weird."
But there's good reason why Beatty's fellow students at Guttenberg's Anna L. Klein School are asking him to sign everything and anything.
The 6-foot-1 basketball phenom has been lighting up scoreboards in the North Bergen grammar school league, setting records practically every time he steps on the floor.
His talents have been recognized by several of the big-time New Jersey high school programs, like St. Anthony of Jersey City, St. Patrick's of Elizabeth and Bergen Catholic. He has already been courted by the state's premier Amateur Athletic Union squad, the Tim Thomas Playaz.
He's also received a formal recruiting letter from Villanova University - and he's still in eighth grade.
Beatty also recently became the all-time leading scorer at Klein School, a place that has produced some talented basketball players over the years, including John Giraldo, who went on to become one of Monmouth University's all-time greats and is currently playing professional basketball in Colombia.
"I actually have played John one-on-one," Beatty said. "He beat me that time, but next time, I'll get him."
(Giraldo usually returns to Klein School as a substitute teacher when his professional season ends in March.)
Topped them all
On the Klein School scoring list, Beatty put up some gaudy numbers in order to go past Giraldo, Randy Encarnacion (Marist College), Alvaro Mejia (Fairleigh Dickinson) and former scoring champ Ely Camacho.
He has averaged 33.3 points per game this season, including games of 41, 46 and the single game scoring mark of 50 points in a win over Robert Fulton School. Beatty scored 36 points Monday night in a 59-56 victory that clinched the regular season championship of the North Bergen grammar school league.
"It's just indescribable what he's able to do," said Klein School first-year head coach Keith Petry. "Those are mind-boggling numbers for a grade school kid. There are things he does, the moves he makes, that adults can't do. I can't believe some of the things he does and he's only 14. I've never seen anything like it before. That's the first reaction when you see him. You say, 'Wow!' because you can't believe it. Opposing coaches want to see his birth certificate because they can't believe he's only 14."
Petry said that he had heard a lot about Beatty from other people when he arrived at the school in September to become the school's new physical education teacher and basketball coach.
"I was very aware of the tradition of the school," Petry said. "I was taking over an undefeated team at a school that once won 166 straight games at home. It was a very rich tradition and I wanted to keep it going. I actually met Miles on the street the first day of school. Then, when I first saw him play in the gym, I knew he was for real. I was then definitely looking forward to seeing him play in a game."
Beatty said that he was introduced to basketball by his father, Marshall, who used to play in the Klein School playground with and against people like Giraldo. Beatty's older brother of nine years, Neil Glover, also helped Miles learn the game.
"My father bringing me to the park to play helped me develop my shot," Beatty said. "I used to go to the playground all the time to play."
His dedication to the sport became more of an obsession in recent years, when he has become a fixture of the schoolyard, practicing shot after shot.
"My principal [Robert Tholen] has noticed me practicing all night in the summer," Beatty said. "He tells me that I should go home, but I just keep shooting."
Beatty said that he is enjoying all the attention he's been receiving, especially from the high schools - and yes, the big-time colleges already.
"I don't know what I'm going to do yet about high school," said Beatty. "I'm going to sit down with my parents and make a decision. But it's a good feeling to know that these schools want me."
Sounds like he has his future in mind already.
Will move around this summer
In fact, Beatty is so prepared for his future that he already has his summer mapped out. His participation with the Playaz AAU team will take him to North Carolina and Las Vegas. He will attend instructional basketball camps for the very first time, to hone his skills. He will also play with the Jersey City Boys Club's traveling team.
"I have to work hard to improve all parts of my game," Beatty said. "That's what I'll do this summer. I also have to work on my defense."
Petry just enjoys being around the youngster.
"He's just an all-around good kid," Petry said. "He has such a good attitude. He brings everyone else to another level. He still has some growing to do and some of his abilities will have to be refined, but as long as he keeps focus and stays on the right path, he'll be fine."
Beatty already has his long-term plans in sight.
"I'd really love to make it all the way to the NBA some day," Beatty said. "But my true goal is to make it to college. First, I have to make it in high school, but I think I can do that. I just have to take one thing at a time."
Does Beatty feel that he has to fall in line with the other Klein greats?
"I do feel like I have to carry the torch a little," Beatty said. "Right now, I'm just enjoying everything that's happening. It feels good."
Signing autographs, scoring points, fielding offers from schools - sounds like Miles Beatty is more and more like LeBron James after all.
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