Orlando Names to Know: 2023 (Part II)

<p>Throughout the spring and summer I have highlighted several of the top seniors in the Orlando area. With fall league in full swing, and the season right around the corner, I’ve decided it’s time to show the class of 2023 some more love.</p> <p>These are some of the players worth keeping an eye on:</p> <p>PG [player_tooltip player_id="962442" first="Jaylen" last="Smith"] 5-9 Edgewater</p> <p>Last season Smith burst onto the scene as the go-to guy for Edgewater as a sophomore with nightly numbers of 18.3 PPG 4.0 APG and 2.6 SPG. His ability to break defenders down off the dribble, and flat out jump over defenders with a vertical leap of at least 40 inches left spectators shaking their heads. The lefty excels in pick and roll situations knocking down 3-pointers, and is capable of taking over games scoring consecutive baskets when he’s feeling it. His strong play also carried over into the AAU season running the offense for a talented 1 Family team. With Edgewater graduating their second and third leading scorers, he may lead the city in scoring as a junior. Smith excels off the court as well holding a 4.0 GPA. Thus far Samford and South Alabama have offered the uber athletic point guard and it seems as though more schools will follow suit.</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="1060199" first="Dawson" last="Barr"] 6-4 Oviedo</p> <p>I’ve thought highly of Barr since the first time I saw him playing for TNBA South the summer before his sophomore season. The wing’s basketball IQ is through the roof and his fluid athleticism is a very intriguing. Last season he led a balanced scoring Oviedo team averaginf 10.9 PPG while sharing the floor with the Rose twins who ended up signing with Division II Trevecca Nazarene. Barr can score from all three levels finishing last season going 29/86 from 3-point territory, and he has the quickness to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. It is very early in his recruiting process, however elite Division III programs have already started reaching out. Barr holds a 4.2 GPA which could make him a target for High Academic schools of all levels.</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="1060231" first="Joshua" last="Cooper"] 6-7 Trinity Prep</p> <p>Cooper is another 2023 prospect I could see having a break out junior season. Last year he was a solid role player at Seminole high serving as a backup to Division II Francis Marion commit [player_tooltip player_id="1068741" first="Jonah" last="Pierce"]. This past summer he decided to make the move to Trinity prep giving them something they lacked in previous years: size. The forward will upgrade the Saints rebounding, and rim protection as well as providing an inside scoring presence. Coopers best days of basketball are ahead of him.</p> <p>G/F [player_tooltip player_id="1060149" first="Malachi" last="Hampton"] 6-5 Wekiva</p> <p>A popular name from the summer, [player_tooltip player_id="1060149" first="Malachi" last="Hampton"] made his presence known playing for the Florida Suns 2023 team. He averaged 15.8 PPG 6.5 RPG 2.0 APG and blocked just over one shot per game while shooting over 50 % from 3-point range during the live period. The wing translates as a 3 and D player at the next level, and his shooting prowess off of the pick and pop impressed me the most. Hampton also does a great job of using the rim to shield off defenders when he drives to the basket for reverse lay ins. Early interest has come from several Division I schools and with a year to get stronger and sharpen his skills the sky is the limit.</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="1060201" first="Kevins" last="Charles"] 6-5 Olympia</p> <p>Last season Charles was an integral part of Olympia’s success as a top team in Orlando. The forward battled in the post often defending the opposing team’s top interior threat, and scored in close to the basket and on mid range jumpers.The best part of Charles game that any basketball coach/ fan can appreciate is his willingness to sacrifice his body, diving on the floor and taking charges. Charles finished last season with a whopping total of 18 charges taken. Expect to see another successful year out of Olympia High with Charles playing a key part.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>