City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2023 Names To Know
Jacksonville has a lot to proud of when it comes to basketball talent.
The final piece of the City Rankings series is the 2023 Names To Know list.
Here is a look at that Check back later next week as we get going into Pensacola for the City Rankings there.
ICYMI:
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Point Guards
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Shooting Guards
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Wings
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Bigs
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2022 Guards
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2022 Forwards
2023 talent
Beza Miller | 6-0 | Episcopal
A very fun young point guard, Beza Miller is well on his way as a shooter and driving playmaker. He earned an offer from UNF after their team camp in June and also has interest from Jacksonville. Miller averaged 11 PPG and 5.0 APG as a full-time starter with two 20 point nights against Foundation and Mandarin. As long as he adds muscle and continues to improve his all-around game, he will be really good.
Demarcus Allen | 6-3 | Potter’s House Christian
Potter’s House Christian always has talent in the SIAA. 6’3″ guard Demarcus Allen is versatile enough to guard the 1 through 3. He played a key rotational role this season and will only see his time on the floor expand. He suited up for the 904 Elite 17U group as an 8th grader and was a true standout. He’s full of energy always looking for a steal or core rebound. Allen is a breakout candidate.
Chavaris Dumas, Jaden Perry Jaden Perry 6'3" | SG Interlachen | 2023 FL & Der'Tavius Mack | Interlachen
Interlachen has a deep freshman class and this trio is already making an impact. Chavaris Dumas, a 6-0 guard led this group while averaging 12.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 2.1 SPG. He had double digits in 19 games led by 22 points against Union County and 20 points against Middleburg. Dumas has a smooth floater, serves as a good finisher and is always looking to create havoc defensively with steals. The athlete is also a wide receiver on the football team. Highlights via Hudl. Jaden Perry Jaden Perry 6'3" | SG Interlachen | 2023 FL is a 6-0 guard/wing who is a skinny but long and dangerous outside shooting threat. He averaged 9.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG with 13 double-digit games led by a 23-point game against Keystone Heights. As for Der'Tavius Mack, the 6’2″ forward is a brute attacker who averaged 7.5 PPG and 6.9 RPG with seven games in double-digits and four double-doubles led by a 19-point and 12-rebound evening against St. John Lutheran. Mack doubles as an outside linebacker and safety for the football team.
Nathan Bunkosky | 6-0 | Ponte Vedra
A full-time starter as a freshman at St. John’s Ponte Vedra, Nathan Bunkosky averaged 7.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG and 2.2 APG. His top outing was an 18-point game against Fletcher. Bunkosky shot 37 percent from deep including a perfect 4-of-4 against Nease. A shooter by nature, he had five double-digit games and doubles as a wide receiver for the football team. Highlights via Hudl.
Cael Thompson | 6-3 | Nease
Nease has a good one in Cael Thompson. Although the guard/forward averaged 3.9 PPG and 3.3 RPG, topped by a 12-point game against Oakleaf, he showed a lot. Thompson is a big body who loves to shoot from the corners and is a tough-nosed rebounder. He also creates for others with some crafty passes and can hold his own as an attacker. Highlights via Hudl.
Marquis Ghee | 6-6 | Fletcher
A key rebounder for Fletcher, Marquis Ghee had three double-digit games including an 18-point and 10-rebound performance against Sandalwood. Ghee is coming up and serving a role for his side as an active presence inside on both ends of the floor.
Jordan Mikell | 6-5 | Impact Christian
Jordan Mikell is going to make his name known this season at Impact Christian. He played sparingly for the Class 2A state runner-up. Mikell shoots it well and has a good frame as he continues to get stronger. It is set up to be the sixth man on a deep and athletic team.
Tomarion McCray | 6-5 | Trinity Christian
A dominant player on junior varsity, Tomarion McCray was called up to varsity in late December. He is a big and physical power forward/center for Trinity Christian. An athletic player with upside, McCray is very solid around the rim and expanding his jumper. Remember his name.
Desirrio Riles & Orel Gray | University Christian
This 2023 pair at University Christian will be fun to watch these next few years. Desirrio Riles is a 6-2 guard/forward who averaged 9.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 2.6 APG. He scored in every game with 10 double-digit games led by a 16-point game against Temple Christian. Riles also had a six-block game against Trinity Christian. He’s a reliable finisher and pure athlete who can throw it down with one-hand and is a quarterback for the football team. Orel Gray is a 5-10 guard who averaged 8.0 PPG (in 10 games) with an 18-point performance against Eagle’s View where he shot 8-of-11 from inside the arc. He is a promising player who serves as a cornerback on the football team.
Leon Whitley & Keenan Johnson | West Nassau
Leon Whitley got his feet wet with some really good games as a freshman, 16 points against Yulee and 15 points against Providence. The 5-11 athlete is a quick and fierce guard. He finishes at the basket with ease and rebounds well for smaller guard. Whitley’s basketball IQ is through the roof and he battles on every possession. Keenan Johnson is another 2023 name to know at West Nassau. The 6-5 guard/forward transferred over from Impact Christian and handles the rock with confidence and has a ton of speed.
Na’jai Moody | 6-4 | Lee
Lee is grooming another wing in the making in Na’jai Moody. He averaged 3.2 PPG and 4.3 RPG off the bench. His most impressive performances were a five-point, 16-rebound game against Ribault and a 10-point, 10-rebound outing against Middleburg.
Koron Hayward | 6-4 | Englewood
Moved up to varsity after Christmas, Koron Hayward wound up starting quickly thereafter. He had an 11-point, seven-rebound, three-steal, two-block game against Sandalwood in early February. A long forward, Hayward needs to add muscle but he’s naturally athletic and bound to have a huge sophomore campaign. Another player to watch at Englewood is 6-5 forward Rico Sok. He had a 13-point game against First Coast and is a banger inside.
Zack Drawdy | 6-3 | Yulee
A steady piece for Yulee, Zack Drawdy averaged 8.0 PPG and 7.0 RPG. He scored in all but one game with seven double-digit outings topped by a 17-point performance against Harvest Community. A highly athletic kid who doubles as a wide receiver for the football, Drawdy is all speed and he can really get out on the break.
Mason Lee | 6-6 | Providence
Providence is developing a wing in Mason Lee. He’s an extremely long body who can shoot and finish inside. Look for Lee to absolutely be a factor at Providence this fall.
2023 Episcopal G Beza Miller is going to be really good. He is a smart attacker for a rising freshman. @ChipStroud @EpiscopalEagles pic.twitter.com/JrFkEN9JrU
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) June 13, 2019