Basketball is a labor of affection for Stevenson’s Rocco Pagliocca.
The 6-foot-2 sophomore guard can’t keep in mind a day when he didn’t commit a minimum of a while to the game. Much of that has to do together with his father, Jeff, who was named the overall supervisor of the Chicago Sky in October. Jeff Pagliocca has educated NBA and WNBA gamers for years at his Evolution Athletics in Deerfield.
“I would pick him up from preschool, and we’d go work out,” Jeff Pagliocca mentioned. “He took a liking to the sport at a younger age. He was in loads of NBA locker rooms and arenas at a really early age, so it’s simply what he was used to.
“But on top of that, it was something he wanted to do.”
And Rocco Pagliocca at all times needed to get higher, making his behind-the-scenes entry to high-level athletes all of the extra significant.
“I wanted to be just like them,” he mentioned. “It showed me close-up the amount of passion they have and how hard they work to play at that high of a level.”
So maybe it’s no shock that Rocco Pagliocca, who already has a suggestion from Eastern Illinois, is enjoying at a excessive degree in his first season as a starter for Stevenson (3-1).
“It’s definitely been a big step up this year,” he mentioned. “It’s easier to play when you’re comfortable and confident, and my teammates have really helped. Last year, I saw things from a different perspective, and there are things that I saw that I’m using now.”
Will Benson, who succeeded Pat Ambrose as Stevenson’s coach, mentioned he’s inspired by Rocco Pagliocca’s progress.
“He’s gotten better every game, and that’s certainly a good sign,” Benson mentioned.
The most evident means Rocco Pagliocca distinguishes himself is by scoring. He has a clean stroke from the perimeter that additionally flows seamlessly into midrange jumpers and floaters within the lane.
He hit three 3-pointers in Stevenson’s season-opening win in opposition to Hersey on Nov. 20, poured in 9 factors within the first quarter of a loss to Glenbrook South on Friday and scored a team-high 15 factors in a win in opposition to York on Saturday.
Rocco Pagliocca additionally dished out seven assists in opposition to Hersey, enjoying a complementary ballhandling position alongside junior level guard Aidan Bardic.
“I’m pretty comfortable in that position, and sometimes we switch off,” Rocco Pagliocca mentioned. “It’s cool that we get to play together. When I get an angle to find my teammates open for a shot, that next play might open something up for myself.”
It’s price noting that his biggest influence in opposition to York got here on the defensive finish. He held AJ Levine to 13 factors, effectively under the Penn recruit’s norm.
“To be successful on the level I want to ultimately be successful at, you have to be really good at both ends,” Rocco Pagliocca mentioned. “Offense is good, but on defense, there has to be a fight in you. I want people to fear playing against me.”
That’s one of many many issues he discovered by being round his father {and professional} gamers.
“He got to know a lot of those guys very well, so it was another reason for him to stay hungry and motivated,” Jeff Pagliocca mentioned.
Among these purchasers was Los Angeles Lakers ahead Max Christie, a former Rolling Meadows star. According to Christie, Rocco Pagliocca caught their eye too.
“I remember multiple days when I’d meet with Jeff in high school, and you saw that Rocco was super poised and confident in his skills,” Christie mentioned. “You could definitely see that he would blossom into a good player.”
Years later, Christie has recommendation for Rocco Pagliocca.
“You’re not going to get it all done in one step,” Christie mentioned. “It’s important to not be outcome-based and enjoy the ups and downs of the journey.”
Steve Reaven is a contract reporter for the News-Sun.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com