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Naji Marshall’s maturation on and off the court sparks Eleanor Roosevelt’s title quest

March 11, 2016 at 12:36 p.m. EST
Naji Marshall’s ability to step up for the Raiders this season has helped guide them back to the Maryland 4A title game. (Doug Kapustin/For The Washington Post)

Though it's not a secret to those around Greenbelt anymore, Eleanor Roosevelt boys' basketball Coach Brendan O'Connell nonetheless asked senior Naji Marshall for permission before sharing the story of how, not that long ago, his star player was simply "a kid walking the halls."

When Marshall first arrived at Eleanor Roosevelt from Takoma Academy as a sophomore, his transcript was a mess. He wasn’t academically eligible to play for the Raiders that first winter. Even last year, when Marshall made his debut in Prince George’s County play, immaturity and inconsistency could sometimes get the best of him. Which only made his transformation over the last 12 months all the more remarkable.

Marshall has No. 5 Eleanor Roosevelt (23-3) on the cusp of its second Maryland 4A state championship in four years. Along the way, a growing group of Division I college coaches have been watching his progress, both physically and emotionally, with increasing interest.

"It was just time to grow up," Marshall said Thursday night after scoring 27 points to lead the Raiders past Perry Hall, 69-59, in the Maryland 4A state semifinals. "I'm getting old and, basketball or not, I couldn't do what I was doing if I want to be somebody. I just looked at myself in the mirror and said, 'Grow up.' "

Marshall, a versatile 6-foot-5 wing, has emerged as one of the best two-way players in the Washington area as a result of that epiphany. He is averaging more than 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals per game this season, with the length and quickness to defend any position on the floor.

Eleanor Roosevelt, Meade set to clash for Maryland 4A title

His development provided a confidence boost to a well-rounded supporting cast that steadily improved over the course of this season. The Raiders have eight players averaging at least five points and four rebounds per contest, and they won the Prince George’s County championship game for the second year in a row. But for O’Connell, it’s the way Marshall handled all this success that has been most refreshing.

“It’s not even close. How far he’s come just from the beginning of this season to now. . . he’s coaching on the court,” O’Connell said. “It’s hard as a senior to get recruited the way he’s recruited, but still stay focused. I never feel like his head is in next year. You got these major schools coming, and every day I feel like he’s here for Roosevelt basketball and what happens next year happens next year.”

The roots of Marshall’s evolution began to sprout during a breakout summer playing AAU basketball with DC Premier. He earned his first major scholarship offer from Rutgers, and schools like Florida State, Virginia Tech and VCU soon followed.

Meade’s Tristan Easton won’t let recruiting slights slow state title pursuit

Maryland has also expressed interest, and Marshall attended several Terrapins' games this year at Xfinity Center, where the Raiders will try to prevent No. 11 Meade (23-3) from becoming the first Anne Arundel County school to win back-to-back state titles Saturday night in the 4A state final.

But college will have to wait, partly because of Marshall’s previous academic issues. He already plans to attend prep school at Hargrave Military Academy next year, and chances are more power conference teams will enter the recruiting mix when he plays on the grassroots basketball circuit again this offseason.

In double overtime the Raiders fought hard to defeat the Mustangs 59-54. (Video: Video by Jordan Smith for Synthesis/Koubaroulis LLC./The Washington Post)

Marshall’s outlook on all this, however, is more proof that “the kid walking the halls” is quickly becoming an adult.

“It feels good, but I just want to stay humble,” he said, “because as fast as I got it, it can all go away.”