Pan Handle Top Prospects: 2022 (Part II)

<p>In recent years the Florida pan handle has been home to many talented college basketball players. While we have scouts based in Orlando (Myself), Tampa (Jake Perper), Jacksonville (Mark Holland) and Miami (Mike Costeines) the pan handle has at times lacked publicity. Over the past two weeks I have done some digging, watched some film and found talented young men who show the potential to make it to the next level. These are some of the prospects in the class of 2022 who have caught my eye:</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="1161399" first="Reece" last="Bloomberg"] 6-4 Gulf Breeze</p> <p>Perhaps the top stock riser in northwest Florida, Bloomberg has caught the attention of many college coaches. The guard is aggressive attacking the basket where he can finish with either hand while using his length to finish over the outstretched arms of defenders. He has the kind of sneaky athleticism that will make defenders think twice before attempting to his block shots, and he also gets to the free throw line often. Shooting the ball Bloomberg can make 3-pointers  off the catch, or the dribble making him that much more deadly. He has the step back in his repertoire along with several other moves that help him create space. As a junior Bloomberg led Gulf Breeze in scoring at 14.5 PPG while drawing heavy attention from opposing teams defenses. Over the past few months the Dolphins star has heard from schools ranging from elite Division III programs all the way to the Ivy League.</p> <p>G/F [player_tooltip player_id="829388" first="Tajden" last="Davis"] 6-4 Chiles</p> <p>One of the most prolific scorers not only in Tallahassee but the entire state was Tadjen Davis. The 6-4 power wing used his strong frame to his advantage often scoring through contact to average 21 PPG while also grabbing 9.4 RPG. As a junior Davis recorded 8 double doubles and also scored a season high 31 points against St.John Paul II in January. A true inside-out threat Davis is respectable shooting from the outside, but in transition and attacking the basket is where he is most comfortable. Davis seems primed for a memorable senior season filled with plenty of double-doubles.</p> <p>PG Tre Donaldson 6-2 Florida High</p> <p>Sharing the floor with at least three other Division I Prospects, Donaldson directed the offense for Florida high last year putting up a respectable stat line of 11.1 PPG 3,9 RPG 3.6 APG. Like his coach Charlie Ward who played both football and basketball at Florida State, Donaldson is a dual sport athlete. A standout Safety on the gridiron, Donaldson has committed to play both sports at Auburn. On the basketball court he is a true leader who can take over games in big moments, both as a scorer and distributor. Last season he shot the ball particularly well, converting on 38 % of his 3-Point attempts which will translate well in the SEC. On defense, the point guard brings that football toughness as a ball hawk who lives in the passing lanes. I look forward to seeing just how far this Florida High team can go in the state tournament as the premiere team on the Pan Handle.</p> <p>PF Elijah Johnson 6-7 Choctawhatchee</p> <p>Teaming with [player_tooltip player_id="829404" first="Brian" last="Grant"], Johnson will be part of a scary frontline for Choctawhatchee that will include at least four players taller than 6-7. As a Junior, Johnson averaged 7 PPG and 4 RPG providing a physical presence around the basket. As a passer Johnson truly stands out, as he always looks to advance the ball up the court and start the fast break, and finds cutters out of the high post in the half court offense. Despite his large frame, Johnson is not afraid to put the ball on the floor, and to no surprise nobody is willing to step up and take a charge. With [player_tooltip player_id="953427" first="Ezra" last="McKenna"] now furthering his academic and basketball career at the Air Force Academy, Choctaw may look to the big fella more on offense.</p> <p>PG Ny’Keem Gainer 5-10 Marianna</p> <p>Another hidden gem out in Northwest Florida, Gainer was a game away from leading Marianna to the State final 4 in Lakeland. The defensive pest averaged 17.4 PPG 3.4 APG and 2.3 SPG on the year. In the 2 point loss to [player_tooltip player_id="527374" first="Deebo" last="Coleman"] (Georgia Tech) and West Nassau that ended the Bulldogs playoff run, Gainer was phenomenal scoring 20 points grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists. Look for Gainer and Marianna to be in the hunt again this coming March.</p>