Stock Risers: Palm Beach County (Pt. 2)
Palm Beach County is an area loaded with talent. I think it might get overlooked under the shadows of Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Just take into account some of the recent prospects that have come out of the region. Josh…
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Continue ReadingPalm Beach County is an area loaded with talent. I think it might get overlooked under the shadows of Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Just take into account some of the recent prospects that have come out of the region. Josh Minott (Saint Andrew’s) recently declared for the NBA Draft. Trent Frazier (Wellington) just finished his career with the University of Illinois.
You got plenty of players here who can play big-time basketball. Let’s look at a few that I believe have bright futures.
Please click on part one by clicking here.
Jackson Taggart – Delray American Heritage
2025 Jackson Taggart could have some potential down the line. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 5.5 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting a team-best 44 percent from the field. Obviously, Taggart’s size at his age is impressive. He recorded 15 rebounds (seven offensive) against Somerset Academy Key and 14 rebounds (six offensive) against Leonard. Taggart’s toughness and strength around the paint at this point is solid. He also shot 50 percent or better from the field in both games he scored in double-figures. Taggart also plays football. He could be a big to watch as he develops.
Brian Wright – St. John Paul II Academy
2023 Brian Wright put up some good numbers for the Eagles. The 6-foot guard averaged 11.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting a team-best 45 percent from the floor. Wright also went 30-of-89 (34 percent) from deep. Against Palm Beach Central (21-5), he posted a season-high with 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the field. He also scored 22 points on 9-of-20 from the floor against 4A state champion Calvary Christian Academy. Wright also hit four 3-pointers in both of those games. That’s pretty good production against two quality teams. Wright also grabbed 45 of his 102 rebounds on the offensive end.
Blake Wilson – Dwyer
2023 Blake Wilson is a name basketball fans in Palm Beach Country probably know. The 6-foot-5 wing averaged 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 41 percent from the floor. Wilson also shot 37 percent (48-of-131) from deep. Clearly, his range and length is something defenses have to game plan against. Overall, Wilson’s versatility along his athleticism is a factor. He scored a season-high 29 points against a pretty good North Miami team that won 22 games. Upping his shooting percentage a bit might be an area to work on. Regardless, Wilson has a ton of talent and should have a big year.
Matthew Puodziukaitis – Palm Beach Central
2024 Mathew Puodziukaitis played on a Palm Beach Central that went 21-5 overall. The 6-foot-6 center/forward averaged 7.2 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 56 percent from the field. Puodziukaitis shot at least 50 percent from the floor in each game he scored in double-figures (seven games). He combined for 26 points while shooting 10-of-17 from the field in two games against West Boca Raton (18-7). Puodziukaitis also went 10-of-24 (42 percent) from deep and 21-of-26 (81 percent) from the free-throw line. Overall, that’s pretty good production for a sophomore with his size.
Decarious Jenkins – Boynton Beach
2024 Decarious Jenkins has some quickness/agility at the point guard spot. The 5-foot-8 prospect averaged 8.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. In addition, Jenkins went 19-of-60 (32 percent) from the perimeter. Defensively, he had two or more steals in 12 of 16 games. Therefore, his defensive awareness and playmaking ability is pretty solid. I would like to see Jenkins up his overall shooting (33 percent) a bit. However, I think he has the handle to be a quality point guard. Keep an eye out for him.
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