Orlando Hoops Festival Standouts: Part 1
The 2017 Orlando Hoops Festival took place at The First Academy this past weekend.
Source Hoops put together a full slate of competitive games from Friday through Sunday. A packed schedule made for plenty of solid matchups, but also some games where players looked tired. That is typical of the live period.
Coaches from FSU, LSU, Clemson, FGCU, Drexel, USF, UCF, Stetson and more looked on as they evaluated the talent.
Here are is the first part of my top standouts list.
Anfernee Simons (Team Breakdown/IMG)
There wasn’t a better performer on the weekend than Anfernee Simons. The Louisville commit showed his true potential. Arriving on Saturday after taking part in the UAA camp on Friday, he effortlessly scored 45 points against the NY Lightning. He rarely missed a shot and when he connected from deep, it was nothing but net every time. Simons will do big things for the IMG post grad program this fall.
Robert Allen (Team CP25/Edgewater)
A hot commodity from low to mid-Division I programs as of late, Robert Allen played with high energy this weekend. The rising senior is going to be the main man for Edgewater this season. He had some explosive dunks and at his 6’8″ muscular frame, he’s able to get inside and score often. Allen’s arrow is pointing up.
Josh LeBlanc (Louisiana Elite/Madison Prep)
One of the top teams on the weekend was the Louisiana Elite. The UAA team had strong performances from 2018 forward Josh LeBlanc. He displayed patience with the ball in his hands and the ability to get down the floor with ease in transition. LeBlanc is a very strong athlete.
Jalen Nesmith (Team CP25/Bishop Snyder)
Spending his first summer down in Florida, Jalen Nesmith was the top player for the Team CP25 15U Gauntlet team. He pushed the ball down the court in the uptempo offense and he attacked the basket often. As long as he continues to progress as a shooter, the 2019 guard will be a hot commodity from Division I programs.
Neftali Alvarez (Miami Tropics/Miami Christian)
College coaches were huge fans of Neftali Alvarez this weekend. The 2018 Miami Christian is the backcourt leader for his high school team and his AAU team, the Miami Tropics. The group consists of numerous players from Miami Christian and is led by Juan Cardona, the school’s head coach. Alvarez is an elite passer and is someone who gets everyone involved. He disappears at times offensively, but he is clearly a low Division I prospect with more upside.