The South Florida Draft (Updated Rankings)
Welcome back to another edition of The South Florida Draft. You can view my last piece back in March by clicking here. You might notice some changes in this piece thanks to the recent headlines made by Overtime Elite. The…
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Continue ReadingWelcome back to another edition of The South Florida Draft. You can view my last piece back in March by clicking here.
You might notice some changes in this piece thanks to the recent headlines made by Overtime Elite. The Atlanta area start-up program has signed 2023’s Matthew Bewley and Ryan Bewley, as well as 2022’s Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson to their inaugural roster. The Thompson twins are essentially professionals and no longer apart of this region. I also had Matthew Bewley as my No. 1 selection after his freshman season at Northeast (Oakland Park).
In other news, it appears Ben Middlebrooks has reclassified and will be joining Clemson in the fall. There was a time where it looked like the 6-foot-10 power forward would be joining Calvary Christian Academy.
That means three slots are now open for this piece.
Here are my latest picks…
1- Jaylen Carey Jaylen Carey 6'8" | PF Westminster Academy | 2023 State #129 Nation FL – Westminster Academy
A sure bet to take at this selection based on his potential alone. There is simply no one better to win his 1-on-1 matchup at this point in my opinion. Carey can overpower his opponent with his 6-foot-10, 235-pound frame. He has also developed proper footwork and finesse to play the post. His overall athleticism and physique has really helped him in this instance. You are also seeing him step out and hit perimeter shots. I think he is very close to a college ready body as a junior. Carey will be a double-double next season.
2) Taylor Hendricks Taylor Hendricks 6'9" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #124 Nation FL – Calvary Christian Academy
I am going to make a slight change to my last piece and take Hendricks at this spot. The 6-foot-9 forward is now the premier stretch four with Middlebrooks out of the picture. Hendricks is one of the better frontcourt players with a perimeter shot. Moreover, he has the athleticism to score inside and out. His makeup also allows him to run the floor and finish above the rim in transition. Hendricks can also grab a high volume of rebounds and block shots. I just like his versatility and ability to effect multiple areas of the game. He is committed to UCF.
3) Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL – Calvary Christian Academy
2023 Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL is facing some of the best competition after transferring over from Wellington. The 6-foot-4 combo guard has a compact frame and plays physical at the point of attack. Allen has good ball skills and array of moves to finish around the glass. I think you are going to really see his development as a shooter come next season. He has been offered by Illinois, LSU, Stanford, USF and Virginia Tech.
4) Marcus Allen Marcus Allen 6'4" | SF West Orange | 2021 State FL – Norland
A strong case can be made that 2024 Marcus Allen Marcus Allen 6'4" | SF West Orange | 2021 State FL is the best player in his class in the state. The 6-foot-6 wing averaged 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the floor last season. Moreover, Allen recorded 21 games in double-figures. His elite athleticism coming from the corners and ability to finish above the rim is special. He has been offered by Florida State.
5) Aidan Abell Aidan Abell 6'6" | SG Westminster Academy | 2022 State FL – Westminster Academy
2022 Aidan Abell Aidan Abell 6'6" | SG Westminster Academy | 2022 State FL is a pure shooting guard with a tremendous outside stroke. I think he is the best two guard we have in this region. The 6-foot-5 Abell averaged 15.1 points, seven rebounds and four assists last season. Moreover, Abell shot 80 percent from the free-throw line and 47 percent from behind the arc. A lot of kids don’t shoot that well from the field, let alone the perimeter. Abell can go from his left or right and rise up for a bucket. Therefore, he can create his own shot with his athleticism and length on the floor. Other players are just lights out set shooters that can’t move. Abell also has the ability to drive to the basket and put one on your head at the rim. I have seen him do it and tap the top of his head for good measure. He has been offered by Stetson University.
6) Gregg Glenn Gregg Glenn 6'7" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #161 Nation FL – Calvary Christian Academy
Glenn has the upside to be right on top of this list. The 4-star recruit averaged 13.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 47 percent from the field. However, I think Glenn is still fine tuning his shot. At 6-foot-7, I think he is best to play small forward. Does he have the athleticism to play in the Big Ten? Michigan, one of his interests, has been knocking on the championship door for the past half decade. Juwan Howard appears to have Ann Arbor as a basketball school now. The Khakis look a bit withered on Jim Harbaugh. Luckily for Glenn, he is playing some of the best competition Calvary Christian Academy can offer. I think he is in for a big senior season.
7) Jasai Miles Jasai Miles 6'5" | CG Miami Country Day | 2023 State #241 Nation FL – Miami Country Day
I am moving Miles up a bit after the graduation of 2021 Jordan Cooke Jordan Cooke 6'0" | CG Miami Country Day | 2021 State FL . I also see him with the ball in his hands a lot and as the premier scoring option for Miami Country Day. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard averaged 19.8 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from the field last season. That is an impressive rebounding number coming from your two guard. Miles has great length and athleticism to be effective around the glass. He will be even more deadly when he shoots a bit more consistently from field. Could very well be the best player in Miami-Dade County next season
8) Jimel Lane Jimel Lane 6'7" | PF Palmetto | 2022 State FL – Mater Academy Charter
I think Lane has proven himself to be a winner after helping the Lions to a 21-3 overall record and a spot in the Class 6A title game. Mater Academy lost to a very good Bartow team in the final; as well as Calvary Christian Academy and Westminster Christian in the regular season. Not bad. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 19.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season. Moreover, Lane scored in double-figures in 19 of 21 games. A consistent offensive force that I believe is a bit underrated.
9) Justin Johnson Justin Johnson 6'7" | PF Doral | 2023 #229 Nation FL – Doral Academy
2023 Justin Johnson Justin Johnson 6'7" | PF Doral | 2023 #229 Nation FL has been on my radar since playing with South Carolina commit Devin Carter as a freshman. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 18.3 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 47 percent from the floor last season. He also showed flashes of a perimeter game with 24 3-pointers. I think his offensive game suits him well as a wing in most sets. Johnson has a good handle and can score off the dribble with his length and athleticism. He can also use that frame to defend guards and forwards. He has been offered by Georgetown.
10) Justin Abson Justin Abson 6'9" | PF North Broward Prep | 2022 State #230 Nation FL – North Broward Prep
Abson might be the first car out of the starting gate in terms of summer offers. The 6-foot-9 power forward has picked up letters from Appalachian State, Rider and Wofford in recent weeks. At the very least, his engine is moving in the right direction. Abson averaged 16.8 points and twelve rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the floor last season. He also blocked 51 shots (3.2 bpg). Abson is a highly efficient interior player at both ends of the floor. He also plays with a high intellect and anticipates reads well. Look for him to carry this momentum until he graduates next year.
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