Top Notch Youngsters: Underclassmen
Peter Bergeron, Woodstock Academy
The bigger the age, the bigger he plays. The Class of 2023 Bergeron, he of the fluid jumper and knack for outside shots, relishes the opportunities of playing against Class of 2021, 2020, and 2019 foes.
He proved this during a recent performance at Hoop Group, scoring and facilitating and playing with unbridled passion and headiness throughout. He’s got the work ethic and the desire to be good you wish you could ingrain in some kids. His 3-point shooting is prodigious, as he shot a smoking 9-for-14 from beyond the arc through three games.
Matt Cross, Woodstock Academy
If you see Matt Cross in a fight with 500 wolves, pray for those wolves. The 6-foot-7, Class of 2020 prospect has the build of an MMA fighter and is a warhorse on both sides of the glass. He’s got the fight and the grit component embedded in his brain, which results in many 50-50 balls and hard rebounds.
Also a football player, Cross has developed into a heady shot-maker. Playing for head coach Tony Bergeron at Woodstock Academy has helped accelerate his development. UConn, UMass, Bryant, and Penn State have all offered the bullish 6-foot-7, 200-pound Cross.
Kobe Jerome, Stepinac
The Class of 2021 prospect has a good bloodline. He certainly has the chance to be a well rounded Division-I player when all is said and done.
The younger brother of Virginia guard Ty Jerome, one of New York’s most memorable and clutch guards of the last 5 years, has developed quite the skill set early. While he’s obviously not at the level Ty was at during his illustrious career at Iona Prep, his shooting and scoring are both well beyond his years.
Jerome’s ability to see the floor and get into the nooks and crannies of defenders and finish are most eye opening. They pump promise into the future. He will play alongside one of the state’s elite in 6-foot point guard RJ Davis.
The Class of 2020 Davis has developed into a lethal scorer with a killer instinct. His stock has tipped the high-major scales following his sophomore campaign. As a bone-thin and undersized freshman, Davis pieced together a wowing performance during The Battle of The Villages in Florida.
Davis scored 29 points in that one, burying jumpers and driving right into the teeth of the rim protection. He’s become more of an all around scorer, playmaker, and defensive ball-hawk.
He was born in attack mode, consistently carving his way to the rim and manufacturing points. After shooting 10-12 free throws as a freshman, he continued to attack and draw fouls as a more highly rated sophomore.
Davis currently has offers from Maryland, Cal, Illinois, St. John’s, UMass, and a barrage of others.
Wisdom Achuwa, International
It would be hard to make such a statement about a promising 14-year-old freshman without smothering him in hyperbole, but Achuwa moves like Kevin Durant.
He’s 6-foot-9 with hyper athletic finishing ability, capable of dunking with ease and gliding to the rim.
His length, smooth jumper, and still developing handle are aspects which make him appealing to Division-1 recruiters. If he soon becomes enrolled at a high level American high school and develops correctly (which is the plan), the Africa native has sky-scraping potential.
Ryan Davis, Martin County
The well built 6-foot-3 guard/forward is extremely polished for a Class of 2022 prospect. Many at this level are so raw and have such a ways to go in their development, it is maddening.
Davis possesses the skill-set and awareness to become a high-impact player instantly at this level. While he’s shown an adeptness at crashing the boards, supplying hustle points, and facilitating the go-go pace with outlet passes.
He’s an important figure who will instantly be plugged to the task of patrolling the paint, as an inexperienced freshman. Should he continue to develop as an offensive option and incorporate a dependable 18-20 footer into his arsenal, he’s got a major chance. Stay tune as he grows and progresses.
Dudley Blackwell, Westminster Academy
When he’s engaged in all components of his game, the Class of 2020 Blackwell tends to be the best player on the court. He’s an underrated passer at 6-foot-5, 185-pounds. His eyes are perpetually up and the high-riser has shown a knack for finishing powerfully above the rim.
Though one of the most surefire prospects in South Florida this past season, Blackwell was typically a second or third option behind FGCU-signee Zach Scott (Westminster’s all-time leading scorer) and sharpshooting 6-foot-4 guard Chase Johnston, who has emerged into a blossoming mid-major prospect. Blackwell recently earned an offer from the University of Florida.
It has been an equally exciting summer for his teammates, who’ve heated up during summer showcase events. Johnston, who averaged 22 PPG and bagged 33 3-point field goals for Team Autonation during the UA Challenge in Atlanta, recently earned an offer from Rice. The 6-foot-3 off guard has recent interest from Siena and UMBC.
Incoming Class of 2019 guard Sam Griffin, who averaged 15 points and six assists during this five game span, recently reeled in offers from Marist and Hofstra. Legendary Hofstra guard Speedy Claxton, who starred there and authored a career in the NBA, has been in consistent pursuit of Griffin.