Top Unsigned Fours: Florida
Madiaw Niang, DME Academy
After a dismal and dungeon dwelling down year, DME Academy ramped up its recruiting efforts in the off-season.
While they didn’t capitalize on some of the five-star guys they initially targeted, DME has found the centerpiece of its revitalized lineup in the 6-foot-8, 205-pound Niang.
After showing spurts last season, the transfer via Calusa Prep is putting up wowing numbers which few could have initially expected.
Having shed the feast or famine tendencies and spotty shot selection that surfaced while he was at the Conrad School (FL), Niang is playing his best basketball since coming to the United States from the prestigious Canaries Basketball Academy.
He’s had several 30+ point performances, including a massive 35-point, 14-board eruption an route to an SIAA conference win over Downey Christian.
Becoming significantly stronger and adding muscle to a once spindly frame has been instrumental in his emergence.
David Appelgren, NTSI Orlando
After missing key events such as The Memphis Classic, Appelgren’s second semester return will be heavily anticipated.
After averaging 15 points and six boards and displaying a dependable and feathery touch from beyond the arc, Appelgren has invested unbridled focus in developing a post game.
While he may not have the high-profile recruit status or clout as the other versatile and polished 7-foot-1 guy down the road at Windermere Prep (Balsa Koprivica), Appelgren oozes of potential.
Conventional wisdom indicates that with Appelgren’s intriguing blend of size and multi-layered skill set, he’ll be a late pickup on the Division-1 market.
Tino Sebalj, Arlington Country Day School
Shouldering a jarringly similar role as former ACD 3-point ace Damir Hadzic (currently at Arkansas-Little Rock), Sebalj has been the pulse of the post-grad team’s perimeter assault.
Also a staple in the pick and pop game, Sebalj brings a European guard skill-set. If he can sustain the hot hand, as he did during a 40-point (on the strength of 9 3-pointers) performance earlier on in the season, anticipate a shift from a high Division-II prospect to a Division-I prospect.
Richard Nunez, North Miami Beach Senior High
North Miami Beach is not too far from where the Miami Heat play. Anyone who remembers Justice Winslow’s first year with the Heat recalls the Duke product playing everywhere from the 2-5.
Such is the same luxury afforded by multi-positional 6-foot-8 forward. Nunez scored 37 points to go with eight boards, six assists, and five blocked shots during a recent loss to Florida power Winter Park.
Nunez has looked more and more comfortable bringing the ball up the court and operating offense.