Who is the next great player...

Terry Ardeno

Terry Ardeno

I still love my wife
Silver Member
I've often wondered if anybody noticed the likes of Strickland, Sigel, Archer, etc when they were young and first starting out as having an inordinate amount of talent along with dedicated practice habits and if they knew those players were destined for greatness in our time honored sport? With that thought in mind, are there any prodigies out there that are the next generation of superstars? Other than Chia Ching Wu and some of his compatriots, I'm not aware of any americans that stand out. Does anybody?
 
When Sigel, Strickland, and Archer were climbing to the top, they traveled a much different tournament trail than exists today. All three of these players used to engage in games of stake, which I believe improved their game as they rose through the ranks. :)

I sometimes categorize players in two groups: tournament soldiers and action players. Danny "Kid Delicious" Basavich used to be an action man. When he realized how difficult it was to break even "on the road," so to speak, he decided to follow the professional tournament trail via the UPA. Today, Danny Basavich is a champion, but I think if you were to ask him how he got there, he would be the first to admit that action was definitely a part of his portfolio.

Today, in my neck of the woods, there's two young guns who stand out in my mind: Chris Futrell, a 16-year-old from Norfolk, Virginia, area; and Brandon Shuff, a 22-year-old whose game has taken off in the past year or two.

Both players are talented and will give ANYBODY a run for their money on a field of green. Chris Futrell follows the tournament trail, while keeping his priorities on his education and family. Brandon Shuff is currently a very tough player to beat, AND he hasn't even peaked yet, and he loves getting himself engaged in action.

Both of these young men will be players to watch down the road, IMHO!

JAM
 
Terry Ardeno said:
I've often wondered if anybody noticed the likes of Strickland, Sigel, Archer, etc when they were young and first starting out as having an inordinate amount of talent along with dedicated practice habits and if they knew those players were destined for greatness in our time honored sport? With that thought in mind, are there any prodigies out there that are the next generation of superstars? Other than Chia Ching Wu and some of his compatriots, I'm not aware of any americans that stand out. Does anybody?
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The SD KID, Justin Brigman (SP?) and an eleven (?) year old from KY. Can't think of his name.:)
 
ribdoner said:
The SD KID, Justin Brigman (SP?) and an eleven (?) year old from KY. Can't think of his name.:)
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Justin Bergman perhaps from IL in the Collinsville area. And the 11 yr old's name is Landon Shuffet. He plays with a McDaniels cue and is at the Derby every year. Unless there is another 11 yr old to watch out for. :confused:
 
Austin Murphy and Landon Shuffett

And let's not forget all the young Fillipinos and Taiwanese unknowns that show up every year to the WPC qualifiers and make a very loud statement by winning virutally all the available spots.

How well do these unknown Asians play? Let's put it this way --- Shane Van Boening, in whose recent achievements we all delight, wasn't good enough to qualify in any of the ten qualifiers played leading up to the 2005 WPC about seven months ago.
 
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Is Corey Deuel so old that he cant be regarded as "the next great player"? Cuz in my limited knowledge, I only have room for a few "great" players at a time (say, two to three spots), and from what little I've seen and read, Efren Reyes certainly takes one of those spots. Perhaps some of the other older guys, like Archer and Sigel, may take the other two spots.

That leaves anyone under the age of 30 in my mind as being available for "next great player." I'm pretty sure Corey is < 30... and if so, he gets my vote, despite already being pretty darn great!

P.S. A google search for Corey Deuel would normally turn up a little fan site or something. No such luck, not within the top two or three hits. I guess pool has a long way to go if their best players don't even have websites. ;P
 
If Landon's interest does not stray as he goes through puberty, he has an amazing future. He is a pretty determined and focused kid, but I think anyone starting so young is subject to burn out. I spoke to him in Athens and he already seemed to hate the whole trick shot demo thing...he was so glad when it was over. I think he just wants to play and be treated like any other player, and not like a side show.
His Dad is older (late 50's?) and this might be tough when he gets to be a teenager...
I mean look at what happen to "the Kid" Nicky Schulman, a really talented player who got all distracted by the lure of easy money and poker. At 21 he is multi millionaire! But I am sure his pool game has gone to crap :o!
 
cuechick said:
If Landon's interest does not stray as he goes through puberty, he has an amazing future. He is a pretty determined and focused kid, but I think anyone starting so young is subject to burn out.
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Mosconi did his first exhibition with Greenleaf at the age of seven!
 
Don't forget the 16 year old Chinese phenom Wu. He is already a great champion. He could dominate for decades to come.
 
mnorwood said:
Don't forget the 16 year old Chinese phenom Wu. He is already a great champion. He could dominate for decades to come.
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In sizing up who is the NEXT great player, ignoring the current World 8-ball and World 9-ball champion IS appropriate.
 
sjm said:
Mosconi did his first exhibition with Greenleaf at the age of seven!
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That is amazing, though I wonder if there were as many distractions back then or even options? I just think it really depends on the personality of the individual and the influences of his parents and others. I think Landon has a great chance, playing on the UPA he has some great role models like Tony R. who introduced him to me.
I just think in this day and age it is very easy between the ages of say 14-18 to get pulled in the wrong direction. Still, I think Landon seems wise beyond his years and very focused and I fully expect to seem him playing at the top level at the rate he is going by his early teens.
Right now his cue is still taller than he is!
 
cuechick said:
If Landon's interest does not stray as he goes through puberty
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Chick,
That reminds me of the old Boy Scout aphorism, "there are 3 liquids that prevent a boy from reaching Eagle Scout; gasoline, alcohol, and perfume."
 
John Morro

:confused: John Morra I think his name is spelled right o well if not sorry, He played at valley forge expo he came in second Open category but could have played in under 18 bracket. He won this the year before.
 
I think quite a few young'ns will be competing at the SBE in the juniors division. Last year, Chris Futrell won the whole shebang.

I've seen this young man play at two U.S. Opens, the 2005 Virginia State 9-Ball Championship, and at the 2005 Super Billiards Expo. He can definitely keep up with the big dogs. He's quite a humble young man, very polite, and is fortunate to have a supportive family. His mom is behind him 100 percent, but what separates this young up-and-coming player from the rest is that he is pursuing his education at the same time as he is competing in tournaments and has his priorities in order. I think we will all be reading about Chris Futrell in the years to come.

JAM
 
Currently

There are some 14-17 year old players in the Tulsa-Oklahoma City area that play pretty sporty.
 
Unless someone already said it i did not see John Morra's name on the list. I think he is about 18 and the kid can really play. I am sure we will be hearing his name in the future.
 
"Lil John" Macias

:D How about my protege, from Hattiesburg, Miss., "Lil JOhn" Macias. Even thoughs he's over 25 or so he's improving on a very fast pace and could soon be the best player in Mississippi, has more gamble than anyone in the country, right up there with Cliff Joyner and Tony Watson, except "Lil John" bets his own. :D :p :D
 
Two young players that really impress me are James Baraks and Jesse Bowman - they're shotmaking and intensity/focus are of future champion caliber....I think that they both might have what it takes to follow in Corey and Alex's footsteps.....

.....James Baraks has already opened a lot of eyes with high tournament finishes this past year - Jesse Bowman is keeping a lower profile, I think he wants to stay semi-undercover a while longer ^_^
 
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