Academic Magnet is filled with talented students and athletes alike. We have athletes with both state championships and academic awards. Today, we compare our current generation of athletes to see their pro comparisons. This details all of the different comparisons through Academic Magnet sports.
Bennett Bair = Scottie Scheffler- The epitome of golf excellence, the number one spot on the magnet team, and genuinely a good person. Bennett Bair is definitely the Scottie Sheffler comp. Compared to previous Raptor legend Andrew Novak, Bennett is projected to be the 2nd person to make it to the tour coming out of N. Charleston. The main similarity between the two is shot shaping and ball striking. While Scottie uses his skills to maintain a 67 scoring average, Bennett uses his to maintain a 76. But, excellence is excellence. Bennett is quoted as saying, “ I am the best player on the team. I will beat anyone. I challenge anyone at Oceanside or BE to a 1v1 for our lives.” He is coming in red hot with a dominant victory against Henry Lannan and Parker Hamilton.
Sam Abney= Tyler Herro- this soccer star is famously dubbed 12th man out of the year. He came off the bench this year to secure a Magnet Soccer State Championship and relive other stars. Both stars showed up off the bench in big moments and will make a much greater impact on the team next year. Sam is the embodiment of a team player. Teammates describe him as kind, amazing, and an all around great person. Sam also replicates Tyler Hero’s stylistic choices off the court. Both wear very similar outfits and are known to have similar personalities. They are specifically known for their signature snarls.
Owen George= Kyler Murray- Both players are excellent scramblers, baseball and football players, and exhibit strong leadership on the field. The similarities are very clear between these two. The only difference between the two is the Magnet football team has a little more success than the Cardinals.
Sophia Easterbrook= Serena Williams- This one is pretty easy; tennis can only be played by a few at a championship level. For Serena, it is the world championships, but for Sophia, it is the state championship. The same principles of effort and commitment apply. They are both known for having a similar forehand and an aggressive, but classy, playing style. Both are also good leaders and mentors.
Jaidon Daley= Pau Gasol- both players are proficient in soccer and basketball, making this comparison simple and easy. Both can also trace their lineage back to Spanish Speaking countries, Jaidon to Cape Verde, and Pau to Spain. Jaidon also serves the same purpose as Pau during the 2009 Lakers Championship: an all star, robin-like character who helps out the main players on the basketball team, such as Billy, Matthew, and Bennett. Soccer is where Jaidon really shines, scoring two goals in the state championship despite very limited minutes. Jaidon’s real strength is in persistence, he has faced many times being almost cut from the team, but still tries his hardest regardless. He is truly a glue guy in the locker room. Despite his slightly lessened role in official sports, he shines away from the pressure in things like backyard football.
Bennett Bair (again)= Kobe Bryant- The hardest worker on the team, Bennett inspires teammates like Jaidon and Billy to stay in the gym after practice and keep putting up spots. Rumor has it, during the basketball season, Bennett eats, sleeps, and breathes basketball. This means putting up shots 24/7 and keeping up with younger teammates. Jaidon Daley when asked about his teammate Bennett Bair, comments, “He is a great guy to look up to, and I will always appreciate being his sidekick.”
Teddy Lorusso= Paul Rabil- Lacrosse attack stars and excellent athletes, what more is there to say? Teddy has been on the lacrosse team all 4 years and has always been serviceable; no one doubts his ability to get the job done. Like Rabil, he is consistent in his talents and all aspects of life. Teddy also is said by some to have similar looks to Rabil.
Parker Hamilton= Micheael Phelps – Swim talent can be hard to come by, but not at Magnet. Parker is one of our best swimming talents. Both of the swimmers have accumulated their fair share of medals. This year, Academic Magnet won their first swimming state championship in a while largely due to Parker’s mostly above average swimming. Parker, a future cadet, displays the discipline that is necessary to be a promising swim athlete.
Tyler Perez= Brandon Aubrey- He is both a receiving star and a promising soccer player, just like Brandon Aubrey who recently made the transition from soccer to football. Both have the legs needed for the sports and are rather talented athletes. It is no surprise that Tyler is able to keep up in both challenging sports. Both athletes are also proficient in the academic setting. For Tyler, it is just a question of which league to go to. He has outstanding offers from the Premier League and NFL, but will he choose champions leagues or super bowls? Hopefully he will help the soccer team attain another state championship.
Mateus Guimaraes= Neymar- Both are Brazilian soccer stars who have a little bit more to them than just flare on the field. Mateus was able to lead the raptors all the way to state before leaving the game with an injury. Luckily, 13th man of the year Jaidon Daley was able to take his place and score 2 goals! Mateus also has very flashy dribbles that compare him to the Brazilian super star. No one else on the Magnet team has the technicality and touch that Mateus displays. Mateus is also known to have a very similar off- field personality to Neymar. He is most known in tandem with fellow soccer star Sam Abney, known as Lethal Weapon 19-21.
Molly Tombs= Megan Rapinoe- These soccer stars have both led their teams to high levels. Largely due to these two players, the Magnet and US women’s national teams have become championship regulars. While they do not have similar haircuts, they sometimes look identical on the field, in playing style at least.
