FLORIDA'S BEST YEAR EVER?
by Rick Staudt, Florida Editor of the HOOP SCOOP

                    When we look back five or 10 years from now, the 2008-2009 season may be considered the best year ever for high school and grassroots basketball in the Sunshine State. Think about the following:

• Team Breakdown won their second consecutive AAU 17-Under National Championship.  A week earlier Team Breakdown won the Reebok Summer Championships in Las Vegas.  No team in memory has won a national tournament in Vegas and then traveled across the country and won the 17-Under Nationals.
   

• Three players from Florida will participate in the Jordan Brand Classic and perhaps the McDonald’s All American Game, which will be played in Miami FL.  6'2 Kenny Boynton from Plantation (American Heritage) FL, 6'10 John Henson from Tampa (Sickles) FL, and 6'8 Wally Judge from Jacksonville (Arlington Country Day) FL give Florida a trifecta in the national all-star games never before achieved in this state.
   

• ESPN televised two games from the prestigious Bank of America City of Palms Classic in Ft. Myers, FL just before Christmas.  There was good reason for that.  Seven of the top eight-ranked pre-season teams in the country were in the field. 
   

• In that same event, Winter Park (H.S.) FL defeated three nationally ranked teams in Duncanville (H.S.) TX, Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, and Marietta (Wheeler) GA.  In the nationally televised game for third place against Wheeler, sophomore 6'3 Soph Austin Rivers went for 46 points.
   

• Four Florida Players landed on Hoop Scoop’s All-American Teams, which recognizes the best players regardless of class or position.  Kenny Boynton made the first team; Austin Rivers made the second team; 6'3 Jr Brandon Knight from Ft. Lauderdale (Pine Crest) FL is on the third team; and 6'10 John Henson is on the fourth team.  Not even California or New York can make that claim.

                    Admittedly, the Class of 2009 was enhanced by transfers from other states (and countries).  Boynton is still the top player.  He’s a tremendous scorer, tenacious defender, and above all, a winner.  Henson moved in from Texas for his senior season after his father was transferred to the Tampa area.  He’s multi-skilled and projects to be a wing forward at the NBA level.  He reminds many of former North Carolina player Brandon Wright, who stayed one year in Chapel Hill.  Many expect Henson to do the same.  Clanton may surprise many for the third position, but his skill level and basketball IQ make him a match-up nightmare.  Kryrl Natashyzko made his way to Bradenton (Pendleton School) FL from Russia.  Supposedly, he has turned down many offers to play professionally in Russia and Europe to return to the state and prepare to play college basketball.  Wally Judge moved to Jacksonville prior to his junior year and continued his rise up the rankings with his strong play last summer.  
                    The Class of 2010 in Florida made some strong waves this past summer and into the regular season.  Brandon Knight continues to be a top player nationally in the class.  To put it bluntly, there is nothing he cannot do on the basketball court.  Knight is the top guard in the class, according to the Hoop Scoop.  6'5 Jr James Bell moved from Jacksonville (Arlington Country Day) FL to Montverde (Academy) FL in Central Florida to improve his skill level.  And it has worked, as he has become much more than a great athlete playing basketball.  His perimeter game has greatly improved and he has shown a greater desire on the defensive end.  Bell has committed to Villanova University.  6'8 Jr Okaro White from Clearwater (H.S.) FL may be a little on the thin side, but his high level of skill and athleticism put him at the #3 spot in the class.  He committed to Florida State earlier this winter.  6'8 Jr Patric Young of Jacksonville (Paxon) FL broke out at the Reebok All-American Camp in July and impressed many with his strength and athleticism on the blocks.  He needs to improve offensively, but when Billy Donovan and Florida came calling, the Gators received a commitment from Young.  6'4 Jr Charles Hankerson from Miami (Coral Reef) FL has the size, athleticism, and skills at the 2-guard spot to be a high major contributor.  He has yet to commit and will be one to watch this summer.
                    The Class of 2011 is still young, but already we are seeing some separation.  Austin Rivers is clearly the leader of the group.  A dynamic scorer, he has already committed to the University of Florida.  5'11 Soph Deante Saunders from Deland (H.S.) FL is strong player with the size of a point guard, but the aggressive scoring mentality of a two guard.  He played very well this past spring and summer for the NIKE 15-Under Team.  The fastest riser in this class is 6'7 Soph Jason Pimental from Ocala (Westport) FL.  He has shown that he can step away from the basket and make plays as well as battle inside.  6'5 Soph Fred Landers from Ft. Lauderdale (Dillard) FL is making progress on his move to the wing.  At 6’5, he is undersized in the post, but has exceptional scoring tools on the low block.  6'3 Soph Jacoby Brissett from Palm Beach Gardens (Dwyer) FL is a dual sport threat, as he is also a top-rated quarterback.  His strength and athletic ability allow him to make plays against smaller players on the perimeter.
                    The Class of 2012 is just now finishing their freshman season.  The top rated player, 5'7 Frosh Jermaine Armstrong from Gainesville (Eastside) FL didn’t play this season due to academic issues.  But his play this past summer in the 16-Under age group made everyone sit up and take notice.  6'4 Frosh Carlos Morris from Carabelle (Franklin County) FL was is a varsity starter and is averaging double figures against good competition.  He is long, athletic, and skilled for a player so young.  5'11 Frosh Treveon Henry was an integral part of the rotation for a Pine Crest team that won a state title last season.  He played well as a point guard this past summer.  A move-in from Ohio, 6'7 Frosh Demetrius Henry arrived at Oakland Park (Northeast) FL this season and showed solid play around the basket.  He needs strength, but clearly has a bright future.  One player who doesn’t need strength is 6'7 Frosh Owen Perez from Winter Garden (West Orange) FL.  He’s got a soft touch around the rim, good hands, and just needs to tone his body to become more effective.  6'10 Frosh Issac Castner is an African playing at Miami (Choice Academy) FL.  He’s long, aggressive, and has a decent shot within 10-feet of the hoop.  Because he gives great effort and seems to learn quickly from his mistakes and still play aggressively, Castner has possibly the most potential in the class.