When Romeo Weems entered high school three and a half years ago, he was supposed to attend Detroit Country Day. Problem was, he and his family had moved away from Detroit, settling an hour away in New Haven. So, he decided on New Haven High School and it has turned out to be the best decision for him. The state’s top junior, Weems led the Rockets to their first Class B state basketball title in school history in 2017.
On the back of the team’s warm-ups, is the word “Family” written in cursive, and that is exactly the type of atmosphere Weems has experienced at New Haven since he arrived there.
“It’s a great community,” Weems said of New Haven. “They came to every game, even when it was in Flint, which is far. They came here and everybody has continued to support us, and I love the community here.”
One person that Weems continuously gives the praise to, as far as his basketball development and journey as young man goes, is his head coach, Tedaro France. He went to New Haven as well, graduating in 1997, and played basketball, football, and ran track. France returned to the place he was taught the game of basketball and game of life, to spread his wealth of knowledge to players like Weems and his teammates.
“Coaches loves us,” said Weems. “It’s more than just basketball with him. He really loves us. Even if we’re just outside playing or something, he’ll just come out and play with us. He’s a great guy. If we need something, he’s there. If we are in trouble, he’s there to help. We needed tutoring and he got us tutoring this year. So, it’s more than just basketball with coach.”
France told the story of how a fan came up to him and thanked him and his team for spreading joy to his dying wife’s life with the manner in which they played basketball, and all the support they had received from the community. His kids are rock stars on and off the floor, especially Weems, who is a coveted prospect across the country, and as humble as they come.
“I tell them all the time they that are not playing for just themselves, but for the whole town,” France said. “I am so proud of them for how hard they have worked and the hard work is going to continue to pay off for them in the form or more championships.”
“Romeo is one of the leaders of our team and his play is why we have had so much success as a program. With him being a highly-touted player, if you come to our gym, he’s taking charges, diving on the floor, and getting his teammates involved. It’s just good to see a kid that is still 16years-old have the IQ of a fifth-year senior. He plays the game so smart, can do it all, and is such a tremendous kid.”
Weems is being recruited by some of the country’s top programs, including Michigan and Michigan State. Most compare his game to Josh Jackson, who won a state title in 2014, leading Detroit Consortium to the Class C state title. Jackson went on to become a McDonald’s All-American as the top player in the nation out of high school, starred in college at Kansas, and was taken by the Phoenix Suns in the 2017 NBA Draft last June. Weems’ game has been compared to Jackson’s when he was a sophomore, and he is on pace to accomplish all that Jackson had done in high school and more.
“I want to win another state championship, get better, try to win Mr. Basketball, and be a McDonald’s All-American,” said Weems. “I think all of that is possible.”
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