Julius has been disinterested most of the games I've seen him play lately. Only when there's a "cause", does he play for real.
I watched Berkner basically manhandle Prestonwood for the first 3/4 of that game a couple of weeks ago at the GASO. Then, Julius got serious and Prestonwood ended up winning in OT. He came out the same way against FM Marcus. Then, once Marcus Smart ate his lunch a couple of times on the perimeter, he switched gears, and the light bulb came on. Ended up being a back and forth between the two of them before FM Marcus held on to win the game by 5 or so in the end.
As an example, Marcus Smart took the ball baseline on one play in the second half of that game, and took the ball straight to Julius' mouth, trying to dunk on him off two feet. The dunk didn't go down, but it illustrates the kind of environment that seemingly needs to be present for Julius to really engage at this point in his development.
Honestly, I don't see this as a mark or indication of his true basketball character. More, I see it as an immature reaction to not being pushed in competition enough. He's so far and above 80% of his competition, he hasn't learned to find motivation from within to continue driving forward in an effort to galvanize himself for the competition he will ultimately see on a consistent basis down the road.
There are so few players that can "compete" with him in a mano-a-mano situation in the HS ranks, that he can rely on half-effort and still beat guys with whatever their weaknesses are. He'll take someone his size outside, and toy with them like a cat plays with a mouse; or he'll take someone more adept at playing a perimeter game inside, and abuse them with deep position and a series of post moves.
When he does run up against someone like Marcus who can do both well, he gets engaged pretty quickly and pretty consistently. Remember, he's still only 15 and he doesn't turn 16 until November. I'm sure these concepts will develop to a greater extent as time goes by.
Bottom line is I've never seen him shrink or be apathetic when there's a challenge or a stage he deems worthy - NEVER.
). I could see SFA taking chance on one or both of them. I just personally think they're headcases and most people at the school agree, everyone was shocked that they were eligible last year. Hopefully they have turned the corner because they definitely have huge talent.
