Recruiting Report: De’ante Perez (2020)

<p>Over the last three seasons, Wellington has played in the state tournament.</p> <p>The Wolverines fell to Osceola in the Class 9A state title in March, lost to Oak Ridge the year prior and lost in the state semifinals in 2016-17 to Osceola. In fact, over the last five seasons, Wellington has posted a 137-19 record, winning a state title 57-56 over Hagerty in 2015.</p> <p>Now in Class 7A, 2020 6'1", 165-pound guard De'ante Perez says he thinks this Wellington squad will shock a lot of people this year.</p> <p>Perez averaged 6.5 PPG in 14 appearances with the varsity squad.</p> <blockquote> <p>"Last season, many people didn’t think we would go as far as we did. We had a lot of haters and people who didn’t believe in us but we took that as motivation and locked in," Perez told Prep Hoops. "A lot of people are doubting us this season because we lost a lot of seniors but don’t sleep on us this year. We are coming."</p> </blockquote> <p>He says he really grew as a scorer over the last year.</p> <blockquote> <p>"Coach [Matt] Colin made me a better person off and on the court. Also, my assistant coach John [St. Juste] helped me a lot over the summer with my jump shot and finishing at the rim a lot of time in the gym," he said. "This season, I’m really trying to grow more as a playmaker and getting my team involved as well. I think that will make a good team chemistry for this upcoming season."</p> </blockquote> <p>No offers have come yet, but Perez said Maine Maritime Academy and Elizabeth Saint Mary have reached out the most to him. He says they like how he plays and his ability to score and play defense.</p> <p>This summer, Perez wrapped up his AAU career with the South Florida Sonics. He spent the last two years with the Wellington Wolves.</p> <blockquote> <p>"Those two programs helped me out as an individual and they taught me how to be a leader and a threat on the court," he said.</p> </blockquote> <p>In terms of his top strengths, Perez alluded to his jumper and his ability to play tough defense and take charges often. He says he wants to continue to improve his finish through contact and to get stronger overall.</p> <p>Starting his basketball life at age 6, he says he wasn't the biggest fan of basketball when he first picked up the game.</p> <blockquote> <p>"Over the years, I started to work on my game and became in love with it. I realized I could go somewhere with basketball when I first moved to Florida and I saw how good coach Colin's coaching was and knew with my talent and his coaching he can take my game to the next level and prepare me for it," Perez said.</p> </blockquote> <p>Wellington has a new look group and Perez will be counted on to do a lot on both ends of the floor. An annual state contender, the Wolverines are always ready to pounce their way to Lakeland and many youngsters from last year's team are going to reap the benefits. Perez is just one of many true scorers on this team and his shooting touch is going to be dangerous for this upcoming season's success.</p>