THE FUTURE
IS BRIGHT IN THE SUNSHINE STATE
by Rick Staudt, Florida Editor of the
HOOP SCOOP
The high school season is over, the NCAA tournament is in full swing, and the
beginning of the AAU season is around the corner. This gives us a moment to
pause and take a look at what players stack up where in their respective classes
in the state. Last year I stated that the Class of 2012 didn’t have a great
player but was very deep. In retrospect those words still stand true. While
the state did not produce a McDonald’s or Jordan All-American Game participant
this year, it still produced 47 D-I signees or commitments and as many as 10
more could do so in the coming months. In a year with no stand out star it was
very difficult to select the top player in the class. Right now 6’4 Michael
Frazier, a University of Florida signee, gets the nod. Playing for Kevin
Boyle at Montverde (Montverde Academy) FL, Frazier elevated his overall game
and his size, skills, strength, and smarts make him the most “college ready” of
the seniors. In the second spot, the play on 6’11 Tonye Jekiri of
Hialeah (Champagnat) FL was impressive. A great athlete with size and length,
he is a defensive demon and a solid scorer in the post. He should fit in well
at the University of Miami next year. Arguably the most exciting player in the
senior class is 5’10 Stefan Moody from Poinciana (HS) FL. In one game
this year he scored 35 points in the first half. In the second half, the
opposing coach came out with a triangle and two with both guys guarding Moody.
If he can replicate what he’s done over the last year at Florida Atlantic in the
fall for Mike Jarvis, the Owls should be flying high. The fourth player
in our top five is 6’11 UNC signee Joell James out of Palm Beach Gardens
(Dwyer) FL. High school referees don’t understand how to call a player as big
as James and consequently he gets into foul trouble quite often during high
school games. When he is given a soft whistle, he does a great deal of damage
around the rim. The final member of our top five in the class is 6’5 Kedar
Edwards from Orlando (West Oaks) Academy FL. One of the more versatile
performers in the state, Edwards is a scorer and playmaker on the wing.
The Class of 2013 still looks to be a tremendous class. At the top, 6’9 Jr
Chris Walker of Bonifay (Holmes County) FL gets the slightest of edge over
6'0 Jr Kasey Hill from Montverde (Academy ) FL due to his size, length,
athleticism, and ability to dominate around the rim at both ends of the court.
Hill pledged to Florida near the end of the season and Gators Head Coach
Billy Donovan should be very pleased. Hill can score when called upon and
is also a dynamic setup man. Rashawn Powell, a 5’11 junior from Orlando
(Dr. Phillips) FL is doing all he can to catch up to Hill. Powell is an
excellent shooter and penetrator with amazing quickness and speed. The third
point guard in the top five is 6’1 Jr Solomon Poole from Jacksonville
(Terry Parker) FL. He can be a scoring machine from all areas at the offensive
end and is a lock down defender. It’s been rumored that he may graduate early
and join brother Stacey Poole at Georgia Tech next year. So stay
tuned. 6'8 Soph Malik Martin from Miami (Monsignor Pace) FL rounds out
the top five in the class. Martin is forced to play in the post for his high
school team and looks uncomfortable with the physical play. However, put him on
the wing where he can shoot over small guys or go around bigs with his
ball-handling ability and watch out! It won’t surprise if two (or more) of the
above mentioned players make the McDonald’s All American Game in 2013.
Last year I said there was nobody even close to 6'1 Soph Joel Berry from
Orlando (Lake Highland Prep) FL in the Class of 2014. Well, two players arrived
at Montverde Academy to give him some company at the top. 6’10 Soph Dakari
Johnson followed Kevin Boyle from Elizabeth (St. Patrick’s) NJ and
had to sit out this year due to FHSAA transfer rules. I did see him play in the
fall and Johnson was a dominating force. Berry was recently named Central
Florida Player-of-the-Year. He is the first sophomore to receive this honor
eclipsing such luminaries as Darryl Dawkins, Vince Carter,
Darius Washington, Nick Calathes, and Austin Rivers. It is
truly surprising that the other “national” recruiting outlets haven’t recognized
what the HOOP SCOOP has known for quite awhile: Joel Berry is one
of the best nationally in the class. Right behind Berry is another newcomer to
Montverde Academy. 6’4 Soph D’Angelo Russell came in from Kentucky
just before the start of the season. His ability to play either guard spot
greatly elevated the play of the Eagles. Another wing from Central Florida, 6’5
Soph Adonys Henriquez of Orlando (Orlando Christian Prep) FL is a
multi-dimensional player that can play the point, the two-guard, or the wing
forward positions. Rounding out the top five in the class is 6’5 Soph Kobe
Eubanks of Plantation (American Heritage) FL. Eubanks is a great scorer,
especially when he attacks the rim. An excellent athlete, he has the potential
to be a two guard at the next level.
The Class of 2015 only has a year under its belt so there will certainly be some
wrangling at the top. The reason 6’5 Frosh Ed Porter of Gainesville (HS)
FL gets the nod at the top is because, as one coach put it, “he’s not afraid to
play the right way.” Porter scores well from mid-range and in, is a beast on
the glass, and is a vocal leader on the court. Right behind Porter is 6’7 Frosh
Alex Owens from Bradenton (Southeast) FL. While he didn’t play this high
school season, his performance this past summer and at a recent spring exposure
event suggest his ceiling is very high. Owens is a long and bouncy athlete, has
a solid understanding of the game, and has an acceptable skill level for a
developing big man. The most versatile player in the class arguably is 6’3
Frosh Chance McSpadden from Winter Haven (H.S.) FL. The lefty can shoot,
defend, handle the ball, and rebound successfully against bigger players.
Another wing player of note is 6’3 Frosh Hannif Cheatham from Weston
(West Broward) FL. Averaging nearly a double-double per game in his first high
school season, Cheatham made quite a mark on South Florida basketball. The
final player in the top five is a move-in from Ohio. 6’1 Frosh MaCio Teague
is now at Bradenton (IMG) FL and he is a tremendous offensive player that should
grow a few more inches and become a true two guard.
Four of the top five players in the Class of 2016 are 6’6 or taller. At the top
of the list is 6’6 8th Grader Troy Baxter from Tallahassee, Florida. He
has a high skill level for a player his age and size. The lone guard is 6’2 8th
Grader Tailour Hall from Jacksonville (University Christian) FL. He
started on the varsity this past year and was the team’s leading scorer. 6’7
8th Grader Ray Robinson of Coral Springs (Coral Springs Christian), 6’7
8th Grader Juwan Dunham of Tampa, and 6’7 8th Grader Ben Heyden of
Orlando are considered the best players in their respective major metropolitan
areas.
