Many 6-foot-8 athletes follow one path.
For Brian Scott Jr., the gym has never had just one court. During the winter, he anchors the paint as a left-handed center, scoring efficiently, protecting the rim, and threading passes that few players his size even see.
When basketball season ends, he trades the hardwood for the volleyball court, rising at the net as a right-side hitter for Houston Volleyball Academy’s nationally ranked 17U Red Team.
While many athletes specialize early, Scott is proving it is still possible to thrive in two demanding sports, using footwork, vision, and timing to excel both above the rim and above the net.
“Last season, during my junior year, I realized I could compete at a high level in both sports,” said Scott.
Since then, Scott has embraced the challenge of balancing both sports while maintaining the same competitive mentality, regardless of which court he’s on.
“When I step onto both courts, I have the same mindset, execute, and destroy my competition,” said Scott.
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Although Scott has become known in two sports, basketball laid the foundation for his athletic career. Last season at Bellaire High School, he averaged 12.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.
Scott, an agile center, offers much more than traditional post play. He can handle the ball on the perimeter, attack defenders off the dribble, and knock down mid-range shots.
“I have improved my ball handling the most this offseason, focusing on ball handling on the perimeter and getting to my moves in traffic,” said Scott.
While Scott has worked to expand his offensive game, his impact extends well beyond scoring.
“What stands out most is his leadership,” said Bellaire High School boys basketball coach Cedric Netty. “He is the voice and anchor of the defense.”
Often the tallest defender on the court, Scott has applied skills from volleyball to basketball, where Netty says his timing, discipline, and shot-blocking ability make him a defensive force.
“In volleyball, you have to be disciplined when approaching the net to block the opponent’s shot and not lower your arms to hit the net,” said Netty. “So, for me, when you translate that to basketball, it’s hard for kids with his shot blocking abilities to keep their arms vertical without coming down on the offensive player.”
But basketball isn’t the only sport that has shaped Scott’s athletic career. He was introduced to volleyball by his sister, whose passion for the sport sparked his interest.
“Last season, during my junior year, I realized I could compete at a high level in both sports,” said Brian Scott Jr.
“She played volleyball for a long time, which forced me to be around the sport,” said Scott. “After that, I began playing beach volleyball, then I branched off and started playing the sport for myself.”
Now a right-side hitter, Scott uses his size and athleticism to attack, block, and defend at the net.
“Brian’s athleticism and power are key, and being left-handed gives him a natural advantage on the right side,” said Marco Meoni, coach of the Houston Volleyball Academy 17U Red Team. “The set comes from his left, allowing him to anticipate or delay his attack more easily than a right-handed player. It also opens better angles, making him very difficult to defend.”
The skills Scott developed on the basketball court have also translated to volleyball.
“While the two sports are quite different, his basketball background shows up in his footwork control, body coordination, and especially his ability to read and anticipate trajectories,” said Meoni. “Volleyball is a game of quick decisions and timing, and his experience in basketball has clearly helped him develop those skills.”
Balancing two varsity sports requires more than athletic ability. It demands discipline, careful time management, and a willingness to constantly switch between two very different games.
“The biggest challenge I face when playing two sports is choosing which sport to play if schedules overlap,” said Scott.
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Netty believes Scott should continue pursuing both passions for as long as possible.
“I tend to stay away from the topic of encouraging Brian to play both sports, but I have mentioned to him, that ‘People make time for what they love,’” said Netty. “So, if you love both sports and can continue giving both your all, then continue doing what makes you happy.”
Even as Scott continues to grow in both sports, the next question every high school athlete eventually faces is: What comes next?
“I have more coaches interested in me for volleyball right now than for basketball, but it will not stop my grind for either sport,” said Scott. “I am fully open to both sports in college. I believe they can provide me with amazing opportunities in college and for my future.”
Whether his future unfolds on a basketball court or a volleyball court, Scott already knows sports won’t be the only part of his story. He hopes to study psychology or marine biology.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the brain and the different ways people think and process emotions. I also enjoy helping people, especially when it comes to mental health. At the same time, I’ve been interested in marine biology my entire life because I’ve always loved the ocean and the animals that live there. There’s still so much we have yet to discover beneath the surface, and if I ever have the opportunity to explore it, I’d love to do that.”
For now, Scott isn’t rushing to choose between the rim and the net. Instead, he’s continuing to pursue both passions, waiting for the opportunity that recognizes the value of an athlete capable of excelling on either court.
