Standouts from the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo (Part 1)
The inaugural Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo in Florida exceed expectations with 134 players in attendance ranging from 2017-2020 at the Big House in Tavares, Fla. So many kids came excited and ready to showcase their game in front of top-end trainers and coaches.
Here is part No. 1 of the top standouts from the event.
Bershard Edwards (Lehigh – 2018): This is a strong and smart kid. He’s confident, has loads of experience running the point at Lehigh and he plays fast. At 6’2”, he’s still growing and as he gains more muscle his inside game will flourish. Edwards has a ton of upside as an intriguing point guard prospect.
Justice Taylor (Archbishop McCarthy – 2017): He fell a couple of times on tough layups inside but he wowed the crowd many times with his tough lay-ins. At 5’11”, Taylor packs a lot of power and that helps inside often. If he keeps attacking, points will come in bunches for the rising senior.
Trevyon Reiser (Nature Coast – 2018): He may be undersized at 5’9”, but has ridiculous handles. He made some very impressive reverse layups. I like his game as he continues to mature and use his speed to his advantage.
Nathaniel Ferguson (Miami Jackson – 2017): In terms of rising seniors at the event, this kid stuck out all afternoon. At 6’1”, he’s rangy and with longer arms than most at his size, he is agile and quick. Adding muscle this season will help his stock rise.
Cole Caplette (Cornerstone Christian – 2017): At the next level, Caplette projects as a nice wing or power forward. He is a big 6’6” and with that, he adds a repertoire from inside and outside shooting wise. He looked confident all afternoon and there is very little not to like about his game.
Thierry Moliere (Jesuit – 2018): He’s taking over for graduating senior D.J. Snyder at the point. It’s a big task, but Moliere has improved his abilites all over. He was making jumpers all day and his strength continues to increase. He has gotten stronger and at 6’0″, he’s a bigger point guard than Jesuit is used to having which should be a good thing.
Daniel Foster (Dwyer – 2019): I like this kid a lot. Foster is young and determined and he lets his athleticism do the talking more than anything else. At 6’3”, he’s already big and he’s going to add size over the next year or so. He hustled on every single play on both ends of the floor. He’s a rising sophomore to watch closely this season.
Samuel Griffin (Norland – 2019): Quickness is on Griffin’s side. At 6’1”, he uses his pure speed to get inside in a flash. He has a solid arc on his shot that allows him to knock down jumpers all around. His upside is endless and at Norland, he’s in for a big role this season.
Demoii Dagou (Gaither – 2017): Here’s another solid senior prospect from the event. Dagou stands at 6’1” and knows he isn’t the biggest on the court, but that doesn’t matter. He has lengthy arms and uses that to his advantage as a defender and jump shooter.
Xavier Hutchinson (Bartram Trail – 2018): This kid had a fine afternoon. He has fancy moves off the dribble and when he gets open, he can be a lethal shooter from beyond the arc. At 6’3”, he’s growing and that is great for his all-around game.
Taylor Trudeau (Mount Dora Christian – 2019): A young prospect with an impressive knockdown ability. He has expanded his game a bit as he looked better on the defensive end and as an attacker. At 6’3”, he’s a dangerous asset for his team and I think his stock should be on the rise after his performance on Saturday.
Nick Giorgi (Tampa Catholic – 2017): A rising senior for the Crusaders, Giorgi is set for a key role this season next to Kevin Knox and Tai Strickland. He has always had a solid shot from 3-point land but he was attacking a ton here and on defense, he played very well. He deserves a shot at the next level much like the other 2017 prospects on this list.