Kotov Chooses Palm Beach State
Alex Kotov, Montverde Academy
In a deep program with mobile, sky-scraping, and outside shooting bigs such as Balsa Koprivica and Filip Petrusuv, it was easy for Kotov to fall a bit out of the mainstream eye.
When you gauge Montverde’s power in numbers on both the high school and post-graduate levels, you understand that some may get overlooked.
Given the 6-foot-9 forward’s fleet of foot, perimeter shooting, length, durability and all around skill set, the bedrock assets of his game are quite obvious.
Similar to many transcendent bigs of this era, Kotov is a multi-dimensional forward who can really spread the floor out and create mismatches. His motor and finishing ability are additionally sound.
Kotov has recently signed his letter of intent with Palm Beach State.
Head coach Martin McCall is building up local talent at this burgeoning Lake Worth, Fla.-based JUCO, having recently penned Inlet Grove star Dante Moses.
Gracen Vecchio, Jupiter High
The hot-shooting 5-foot-11, 165-pound guard has transformed from being a kick out shooter to a confident all around scorer. He’s become more comfortable putting the ball on the floor and creating both for himself and his teammates.
As he’s flushed into a more significant role next season, expect him to emerged into a leader in multiple statistical categories. He has the potential to be a hard-nosed, in your grill defender.
Ronique Spencer, Oxbridge Academy
The muscle-bound 6-foot-6, 190-pound forward is a powerful finisher who thrives at the rim. He was able to manufacture points off high lobs, hard dunks, and open court finishes. He’s got the instinctive style of a wildly athletic and well built 3-4, whose open court finishing is unparalleled at this level beyond the heavy hitter recruits.
While the powerful Class of 2018 forward differs from many of today’s forwards who possess a wing/guard’s skill set, Spencer is a specialist because he can convert any high lob pass around the rim into a massive dunk.
Bryson Clark, Park Vista
The 6-foot-3 Class of 2020 guard has intangibles which no coach ever wants to have to preach to kids, and that’s both a motor and a swagger.
His confidence and know-how is translatable to how hard he plays. Clark has some nifty attacking moves and really protects the ball on his takes to the rim. He’s got some bounce to him and has worked to become a creator in the half court set.
Though Clark is still very raw in some components of his game, he’s got the leadership values to be a very special player these next two seasons.
Daniel Jones, Inlet Grove
The 6-foot-3 forward may be undersized in the post, but he doesn’t lack hustle or tenacity. A high percentage threat who is constantly tasked with marking taller players on the frontline, Jones’ motor and aggression on the glass are key elements of his game.
If he can develop a steady shot and enhance the skill compartments of his game, there is plenty of upside in the hustle-heavy prospect.
Jamal Mashburn Jr., Gulliver Prep
The old adage about the how the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” certainly has resonance here. Yet the son of the former NBA star and Class of 2020 prospect is an entirely different player than his famed forward father.
Mashburn Jr.’s elevation on his jumper and mid-range game are the most noticeable components of his game. He’s got an adeptness for getting into the teeth of a defense and also getting the shot he wants, making him a daunting chore to guard. Mashburn Jr. averaged 25 points this season, increasing his vertical explosiveness and heightening his high major stock.
His strong academic resume has forged mutual interest with Harvard, who like Miami and Florida State have offered him.
Louisville has also offered the heady guard, but with Rick Pitino (who coached Mashburn Sr. while at Kentucky and maintains a close bond with the family) no longer at the helm, it doesn’t seem like a such a viable destination anymore.