August News & Notes: South Florida

<p>Have we flown through the summer or walked through it? I would say the latter, and by the looks of the news in the sports world we haven’t exactly seen the doors of freedom yet. </p> <p>To keep it PG, it blows.</p> <p>Luckily, we have some exciting news coming from prospects over the last couple of weeks. There’s always developments happening in Florida.</p> <p>Let’s look at some of the latest headlines...</p> <p><strong>Minott to Memphis</strong></p> <p>The biggest ball to drop over the weekend came up in Boca Raton. 2021 6-foot-8 small forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818738" first="Josh" last="Minott"]</strong> committed to play for Memphis and head coach <strong>Penny Hardaway</strong>. Minott chose the Tigers over <strong>Baylor</strong>, <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>State</strong>, <strong>Texas</strong> and <strong>Maryland</strong>. The St. Andrew’s superstar now has clear focus to defend the programs first state championship from last season. Minott has been impressive this summer playing for <strong>Team Parson CP25</strong>. In reality, Memphis is getting a <em>positionless</em> basketball player. Minott has the athleticism and elite vision of a guard in the open floor. Get him around the basket and he has the finesse to finish with either hand. Minott has the length to cover both wing spots and provide help-side defense to block shots. The added strength Minott develops before and during his time at Memphis will only round out his potential. </p> <p><strong>Rolle Back</strong></p> <p>2021 6-foot-5 small forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818680" first="Javaris" last="Rolle"]</strong> is heading back to a familiar face. Rolle announced his intention to return to <strong>Westminster Academy </strong>after winning a state championship with the Lions in 2017-2018 as a freshman. It is a great addition for the Lions after losing 2021 Troy Boynton to <strong>Baylor Prep</strong> in Tennessee. Rolle averaged 3.1 points and 3.0 rebounds across 26 games for <strong>Chaminade-Madonna</strong> as a junior. However, the upcoming senior marked multiple games last season with double-digit points and rebounds.</p> <p><strong>Shifting Lanes</strong></p> <p>One of the more underrated groups I witnessed last year was <strong>Coral Gables</strong>. The Cavaliers possessed a number of high quality players including 2022 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814912" first="Jimel" last="Lane"]</strong>. The 6-foot-7 small forward averaged 15.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in helping the Cavaliers to an 18-6 record. Last week, Lane announced his intentions to move from Coral Gables to <strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> next season. The move is welcomed to the Bulldogs coming of an 8-9 season. Lane is a solid shooter around the basket and reliable from the free-throw line. The address change to Archbishop Carroll should open up his ability to stretch the floor and knock down more outside shots. </p> <p><strong>Salazar Squads Up</strong></p> <p>2022 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="546206" first="Anthony" last="Salazar"] </strong>will join Lane in playing for Archbishop Carroll next season. The 6-foot-4 small forward averaged 8.6 points and five rebounds per game for <strong>Champagnat Catholic</strong> last season. Against <strong>Riviera Prep</strong>, Salazar scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Salazar brings a winning edge to the program, having one a Class 2A district title for the Lions. Archbishop Carroll also added 2021 <strong>Micah Bell</strong> from <strong>Chapel Hill High School</strong> in <strong>Douglasville</strong>, <strong>Georgia</strong>. Bell was a first team all-state selection in the Peach State after averaging 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.</p> <p><strong>2024 Players to Watch</strong></p> <p>Two-time defending state champion <strong>Stranahan</strong> added guard <strong>Reece Randolph</strong>. Randolph joins the Dragons program guided by one of the best coaches in the state in <strong>Terrence Williams</strong>.</p> <p>Cardinal Gibbons has added 6-foot-4 <strong>Jordyn Kee</strong>. The Chiefs went 11-12 last season. The addition of Kee, who already has the size heading into his first high school season, should be a welcomed addition.</p> <p><em><strong>For any South Florida news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</strong></em></p>