by Five Boro Sports
Henrick Foster is waiting patiently.
The former Evander Childs star recently graduated from Division II West Georgia State and is looking to catch on with a team overseas, but hasn’t gotten a serious offer yet. He said he has agents and former coaches trying to help him out, but many teams are looking for big men and not guards.
“They know what he can do,” said John Cogdell, Fosters’ coach with GNC at Hoops in the Sun. “It’s just a matter of someone taking a chance on a guard who plays more like a small forward.”
Foster went to Siskiyous junior college in Northern California for two seasons after high school before transferring to West Georgia, where he averaged 12.2 points per game and 5.7 rebounds in his final season there. The 6-foot-3 guard is known for his athleticism and leaping ability. Cogdell said he has game films of him taking off for a dunk on two people starting from the dotted line. It has earned him the streetball nickname “Air Jamaica’”
“From dunking,” Foster said of the origin of his moniker. “Dunking on people.”
In GNC’s lopsided loss to Team 914 Saturday afternoon at Orchard Beach, he showed off a variety of skills while scoring 18 points. Foster, who also plays in Tri-State, Dyckman, Watson and the Kingdome streetball leagues, can get to basket with ease, is strong and controlled as he hangs in the air, and is showing a better touch from the outside, connecting on three 3-pointers.
“I’m trying to improve on my jump shot and become more consistent,” he said.
One thing he is also getting better at is his elusiveness and ability to get open without the ball. Foster was using the baseline and the weak side of the court well to get free for some easy reverse layups. He has always been a superb on the ball defender, as well.
“For 94 feet he can guard just about anybody,” Cogdell said.
Even though Foster is one of the younger players on the streetball circuit, he has plenty of experience. He said he has been playing in the leagues since he was a teenager.
“I’m considered like a veteran, even though I look young,” he said. “I’ve been playing for a long time.”
Now he just wants a chance to play for a living.
“Once I get my foot in the door,” Foster said, “anything can happen.”
