The Perfectionist: How DeLeon Petty鈥檚 mindset led to his success
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. — In his junior basketball season, DeLeon Petty became a force for Ooltewah High School, averaging 17.8 points per game. As the Owls were looking forward to watching him blossom even more as a senior, they were given a scare of losing their star point guard.
The Ooltewah area has undergone new school zoning maps over the past few years, but Petty was grandfathered in to stay at his current high school. This changed prior to his senior year, forcing Petty to transfer.
Petty would attend rival East Hamilton High School for a few months until his family decided to move back within range of Ooltewah High School. Despite getting it all figured out, it was a long stretch for Petty to be in limbo of not knowing where he would play.
鈥淭he situation was unfortunate,鈥� Petty said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 control what my district does at the end of the day. I was just going where I was supposed to go. But I鈥檒l be alright at the end of the day.鈥�
Petty brings a scoring prowess to the Owl lineup that would have been hard to replace. Outside of that, his biggest asset for his team is his confidence that has been built up with time.
The first flash of this came in an AAU game when he was in fifth grade. He hit seven consecutive three-pointers.
鈥淚t was crazy,鈥� Petty said. 鈥淚t was showing that I was getting better, because I was just shooting it and I didn鈥檛 even care.鈥�
He continued to put in the work as he got older to put him in the position he is in now. This is thanks to the mentality he has on and off the court.
鈥淚鈥檓 like a perfectionist,鈥� Petty said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so bad that my parents have to tell me when it鈥檚 enough. It鈥檚 a good thing sometimes, but sometimes I have to know when to stop.鈥�
Petty鈥檚 mindset has made him into the player he is today, giving him a shot at the collegiate level. This summer, Petty attended various camps at schools including Lee University and Tusculum University.
鈥淚t was pretty fun,鈥� Petty said. 鈥淚鈥檓 getting to see college coaches and play in front of them. I just go out there and do what I do best.鈥�
For collegiate coaches that see Petty play for Ooltewah, the first thing that may stand out is the calming presence he brings when he is on the court.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 have a bunch of talkers on a team,鈥� Petty said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e gotta have some people that just lead by example.鈥�
Pairing these leadership qualities with his basketball skills is what makes him a special player. Petty, who has made the All-District team every year of his high school career, has bigger fish to fry in his final season.
鈥淚 mean I was proud of myself, but I want whatever the best recognition is,鈥� Petty said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not settling for anything right now.鈥�
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