GBCA Live Team Camp Session I: Florida Preview (Part I)

With all college coaches finally able to attend games, I decided to make a preview of one of the main events that they will be attending. Session 1 which will take place at LakePoint Champions center will include ten Florida teams. These are some of the players that coaches should be on the look out for:

Dr. Phillips

C Ernest Udeh Ernest Udeh 6'10" | C Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #48 Nation FL Jr. 6-10 2022

If you don’t know who Ernest Udeh Ernest Udeh 6'10" | C Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #48 Nation FL is by now, it’s time to start doing your research. There are few players in the entire country who have improved their stock as much over the last few months as the shot blocking big man. For starters, back in March he helped lead his team to a class 7 A state championship, averaging near a double-double on the season, and breaking a back board along the way. Udeh has transformed since the end of the high school season working hard on his back to the basket game, and has bulked up significantly from time spent in the weight room. Last time I saw him play live, he showed off the fruits of his labor displaying a nice left handed hook shot and some footwork in the post that I hadn’t previously seen from him. He finished that game with over 20 points against Team Durant of the Nike EYBL. His confidence on offense and efficiency finishing around the basket with either hand coupled with his defensive abilities have started turning the heads of Power 5 coaches. Recently Udeh has scooped up offers from Kansas, Seton Hall, Miami, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Temple, and I have a strong feeling that this is only the beginning.

PG Denzel Aberdeen Denzel Aberdeen 6'4" | PG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #197 Nation FL 6-4 2022

Another player to keep an eye on for Dr Phillips is dynamic point guard Denzel Aberdeen Denzel Aberdeen 6'4" | PG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #197 Nation FL .Last season Aberdeen led the state champion Panthers in scoring posting numbers of 19 PPG 4 RPG and 4 APG while shooting 40 % from 3-point territory. The guard can shoot off the catch, dribble or coming off of screens and makes good use off the stop and pop in the mid range. My last viewing of Aberdeen I left impressed with his playmaking ability finding Udeh for a handful of assists against Team Durant. Recruiting wise FGCU, Louisiana, and Stetson have offered.

SG Riley Kugel Riley Kugel 6'5" | CG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #208 Nation FL 6-5 2022

From stats I’ve seen posted online, Kugel has also has had a big time summer for Southeast Elite Grassroots along with Udeh and Aberdeen. Last high school season Kugel posted a statline of 13 PPG 5 RPG and 4 APG and at times was the best player on the floor for Dr. Phillips. The shooting guard has great shot making ability, and has also shown ability as a distributor at an athletic 6-5. Thus far Middle Tennessee, FAU, Stetson, and North Florida have offered but he is drawing interest from all levels of Division I.

SG Mason Sheffield Mason Sheffield 6'2" | CG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State FL 6-4 2022

For the last two years Sheffield has been a solid role player for the Panthers state championship program giving them a lift both offensively and defensively in times of need. The guard was always up to the challenge defensively at times defending some of the top guards in the state, and looks primed for a memorable senior season at DP. Off the court Sheffield holds a 4.5 GPA and scored a 1380 on the SAT and high academic Division III schools are in pursuit.  

PG Jackson Slater Jackson Slater 6'0" | CG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State FL 6-1 2022

Last season Slater transferred into Dr. Phillips knowing well the challenge it would be to see the floor. By the end of the season, Slater was in the starting lineup in the state championship game. The shifty guard picked his spots and made timely baskets deep in the state playoffs for the Panthers.

G/F Jordan Tillery Jordan Tillery 6'3" | CG Dr. Phillips | 2024 State FL 6-4 2024

One of the top freshmen in Orlando last season, Tillery was used as a utility player for arguably the areas top team. At times he was guarding players much bigger than himself and he never shied away from physical play, which was impressive to see out of a freshmen.   Athletically Tillery is advanced for his age, and his growth over the next few years is worth keeping tabs on.

Windermere Prep

G/F Jayden Williams Jayden Williams 6'6" | SG Windermere Prep | 2022 State FL 6-5 2022

Last year Williams put up shooting numbers that are impressive at any level. He shot 49% From 3 connecting on 44 of his attempts to go along with his nightly averages of 16.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 1.5 SPG. While shooting is something Williams does very well his movement without the ball, and decisions he makes on the court are what stand out the most. He has improved tremendously over the past year at creating his own shot, and is more than athletic enough to catch a back door lob. Defensively he anticipates well and uses his length to his advantage. Recruiting wise Williams has heard from mid major and low major Division I schools as well as some high level Division II schools .

G Eduardo Placer Eduardo Placer 6'1" | CG Windermere Prep | 2023 State FL 6-5 2023

Transferring in to Windermere Prep from The Master’s Academy, Placer will look to provide the Lakers with some scoring punch after losing Zavien Williams Zavien Williams 6'0" | CG Windermere Prep | 2021 State FL (Rhodes College) and 6-11 Elijah Hulsewe Elijah Hulsewe 6'10" | C Windermere Prep | 2021 State FL (USC- Aiken) to graduation. Last season Placer led The Master’s to a 17-5 record posting numbers of 22PPG, 6 RPG, and 3 APG with 30 and 40 point performances along the way. The guard shot the ball well sinking 54 3-pointers at a 35% rate and was also capable of getting to the basket or scoring from the mid range. Recruiting wise Placer holds an offer from North Florida.

PG Drew Kousaie Drew Kousaie 5'11" | CG Windermere Prep | 2022 State FL 5-11 2022

A constant in the Lakers rotation over the past two years has been Drew Kousiae. Last year he handled the starting point guard position and put up a respectable stat line of 8.5 PPG 3.4 APG and 1.2 SPG. The guard has a consistent jump shot especially off of the catch and shoot and finished last year making 37/100 of his attempts from deep.

Orlando Christian Prep

SG AJ Brown AJ Brown 6'4" | CG Orlando Christian Prep | 2022 State #190 Nation FL 6-4 2022

On a team that has won it’s last 47 games including two class 2A state championships, Brown has been OCP’s most consistent perimeter scorer. The long athletic wing averaged 14.4 PPG 5 RPG and 1.5 SPG while sharing the floor with several college basketball players. There were many games last season the 3 level scorer took over including a 29 point performance in the State semi’s, and 25 point performance against Windermere High. Brown has taken one official visit recently to Penn State and also holds offers from schools such as Temple, Yale, Alabama, Iona, South Florida, Penn , Buffalo, Georgia State, and Hofstra.

F Ven-Allen Lubin Ven-Allen Lubin 6'7" | PF Orlando Christian Prep | 2022 State #144 Nation FL 6-7 2022

A major part of Orlando Christian Prep’s run, Lubin has been a constant in the starting lineup. The combo forward uses his long 6-7 frame to score over smaller defenders, and uses his quickness and athleticism when a big man is defending him. This AAU season the forward has been a constant 20 point 10 rebound threat for Southeast Grassroots Elite. Thus far the slasher has offers from Georgia State, Stetson, Alabama, St. John’s, Florida, and South Florida.

C Jayden Hastings Jayden Hastings 6'9" | PF Orlando Christian Prep | 2023 State #120 Nation FL 6-10 2023

Each of the last two seasons, Hastings has gotten stronger and looked more comfortable out on the floor. At 6-10 the center runs the floor hard and is a constant lob threat that rebounds, blocks shots and finishes in close. His post moves and footwork have improved greatly since the first time I saw him, and college coaches are taking notice. Hastings best basketball is still ahead of him as he is relatively new to the game. Mississippi State is his most recent offer but the rising junior also holds offers from St. Johns and South Florida.

G Isaiah Brown Isaiah Brown 6'5" | SG Orlando Christian Prep | 2024 State #177 Nation FL 6-4 2024

Yes he is AJ’s kid brother. Last year he put in his time coming off the bench,and showed flashes of the great player that he will one day be. The guard handled pressure well, and showed no fear as a freshmen. The most memorable moment of his first high school season, he crushed a dunk in transition on a 6-8 Division I bound senior’s head leaving the whole gym speechless. With Joshua Blazquez Joshua Blazquez 6'0" | CG Osceola | 2021 State FL ( Southeastern), Omar Figueroa Omar Figueroa 6'0" | PG Orlando Christian Prep | 2021 State FL (North Alabama), and Ocypher Owens Ocypher Owens 6'4" | CG Orlando Christian Prep | 2021 State FL (Indian River JC) college bound, Brown is a likely candidate to take on a bigger role.