Always one Estepp ahead: Basketball junkie Dennis Estepp’s commitment to sport gives him and Grayslake Central advantage

Dennis Estepp’s journey to becoming Grayslake Central’s centerpiece hasn’t taken the most obvious route.

The 6-foot-1, 155-pound senior point guard has never been a can’t-miss prospect and falls short in many of the measurables that often forecast future success.

One factor that hasn’t wavered for Estepp, however, is his laser-focused devotion to the sport he loves.

“For me, practice doesn’t make perfect, but practice makes improvement,” he said. “From a very early age, I always wanted to be good at basketball and to do my best, and practicing every day is the best way to do that.”

Estepp, a Carroll commit, is averaging 13.0 points and team highs of 3.0 assists and 3.5 steals for the Rams (4-1), whose Northern Lake County Conference schedule begins Saturday with a game against district rival Grayslake North.

Estepp’s dedication to basketball was obvious from his first interaction with Brian Centella, Grayslake Central’s first-year coach back in summer 2019. Estepp was a less than imposing freshman-to-be who had arrived on his bike for the first day of summer camp, well before anyone else, and was sitting with his basketball waiting to be let into the field house.

Estepp’s early arrivals became habitual, and his play on the court soon distinguished him as well. He played on a talented sophomore team that season, showcasing the level of grit and hustle that would earn him a varsity promotion the following season.

“Here was this little blond kid, he looked like he weighed about 90 pounds soaking wet,” Centella said. “But he did all the little things and never stopped working. Even when he was smaller than everyone, and whenever he faced adversity, you could see how much he believed in himself.”

Estepp is a basketball junkie. It’s never far from his mind, whether that means he’s hoisting shots in his driveway, watching games on television or sneaking in film study during class.

It also helps explain why he beats everyone else to anything basketball-related, which he does these days by driving his car rather riding his bike.

“I’ve always been that guy who shows up before everyone,” Estepp said. “I’m very rarely the biggest, strongest or fastest player, so I’ve had to prove myself on multiple occasions.”

He doesn’t have to do that anymore. Much of what Centella and his staff saw in Estepp early on has become more polished. Estepp’s long arms allow him to easily interrupt passing lanes, and his court vision pays off on defense too. He had 68 steals last season.

Film study also comes in handy.

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“When I’m guarding someone, I’m always looking for tendencies I’ve seen,” Estepp said. “You can read triggers that all teams have, and some players get a look in their eyes when they’re about to do something.”

On offense, Estepp is hard-wired to always be on the lookout for open teammates, and he’s smart enough to know his growing reputation may shake loose someone else for an open look.

Senior center Jake Gibson has been the beneficiary of many assists from Estepp already this season, with the connection proving especially fruitful in transition.

“When I sprint down to the block, the other big man is usually trailing me, and I know he’s going to find me,” Gibson said. “I think his best skill is his IQ. He knows everything that’s going on.”

Spreading the wealth doesn’t mean Estepp can’t score. He had 25 points, including four 3-pointers, in a 61-29 win against Crystal Lake Central on Nov. 25.

“Last year, shooting threes was the worst part of my game,” he said. “But you’ve got to feel confident in what you do. I’m feeling pretty good right now.”

Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.