Logan Bush
New Balance 990v5
Logan Bush’s first shots of his varsity career were as beautiful as they could be, a set of treys in the opening minutes of Spring Mills’ road game against rival Hedgesville toward the end of the season. That would spark what became a huge win over the Eagles, solidifying the two team’s tensions on the court and one of the best games Bush played that year.
“I think (things clicked) because I wanted that opportunity, and I hadn’t gotten it before,” Bush said of his first varsity game. “I really pushed myself to play well and get better. The first 3-pointer felt amazing because it was the first play of the game and then I came back down and hit another right after, then scored again. I had the first eight points of the game; that was an amazing feeling.”
It turns out, though, that game became a looking glass into Bush’s successful spring season with WV Gold, his travel team based out of Morgantown, W.Va., that plays in the New Balance circuit. Bush has been integral on Gold’s 15U team, and his deep ball has improved by leaps and bounds to go with a consistent inside game. He’s such a necessary part that he doesn’t see the bench much unless he’s in dire need of a break.
“Every team needs a guy like that,” he said when asked about his consistent deep game. “To space the floor but also when other people aren’t knocking it down there will always be one guy that is. And I want to be that guy.”
Guard
Sophomore
Spring Mills HS
Developing his game through travel isn’t just helping Gold; Bush is hoping to carry this momentum forward into the fall and winter when the Cardinals get moving into their 2023-24 season.
“It will help a lot, being able to score at all three levels,” he said. “Once I knock down a few 3s in a game, they’ll be guarding me tighter and I can go around them and score on them at any level I want.”
But how has playing for Gold helped?
“Playing against better competition,” Bush quickly answered. “Even though I’m playing 15U, most of the teams have talent I won’t see around here.”
The Kicks
New Balance 990v5
Release / 2019
Fun fact / The design was simplified and saw a branding upgrade across the sneaker from the v4 model.
Playing for Gold has also unlocked another piece of Bush: his new love for New Balance shoes and clothing. Discovering the comfort and updated style of the brand’s clothing line has resulted in some variety in Bush’s dresser, while the last few months in the circuit have updated his shoe collection.
His favorite shoes are his 990v5s, an iconic pair of sneakers that carry him between tournaments in busy airports around the country as well as in his everyday life.
“I think it’s the perfect balance of being stylish and comfortable,” he said of the sneakers.
He’s also not afraid to highlight the sneaker’s photogenic nature.
“I like how there’s a lot of different materials, if I take a picture at night it shines and that’s cool,” he said.
The black upper material brings to mind the descriptors “stealthy” and “slick,” two allusions to Bush’s game. He’ll often sneak into position and pick up a couple of triples with ease, but he also has developed a smooth style to his shot.
Interestingly, Bush began his travel season on the 16U team. Though he saw good minutes in Week 1 with the older group, the switch, which took effect in Week 2, turned out to be a great call by the coaching staff, hence the longer minutes per game and strong development.
“It helps me a lot (playing longer),” he noted. “Like any sport, the more you play the better you get. So me never coming off the floor in those games against that better competition is really helping me improve every part of my game.”
Further, his coach, Tarrell Yancey and the 16U coach Juwan Staten have been role models for Bush as he experiences his first circuit of high-level competition.
“Obviously, Juwan has played at a higher level than any coach I’ve ever had,” he said, pointing to Staten’s time as a guard at West Virginia University and for multiple professional teams. “So he knows everything about basketball that there is to know, and he helps by giving us that knowledge.
“Tarrell is an overall great guy and mentor, and everyone wants a coach like him because he cares.”
Bush and the 15U squad next head to Houston for the New Balance NXT Nationals in early July. His contributions helped lift the team to a top 10 ranking and a fantastic seed in the tournament as the team vies for advancement to the PRO 16 league.
