Florida Get Down Standouts (Part 1)
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One of my favorite events year in and year out is the Florida Get Down in Gainesville, FL. With consistent energy and high-level talent, this event has everything you want in a high school basketball tournament! Here’s the first group…
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Continue ReadingOne of my favorite events year in and year out is the Florida Get Down in Gainesville, FL. With consistent energy and high-level talent, this event has everything you want in a high school basketball tournament! Here’s the first group of Florida guys that stuck out:
Martin was the most intriguing and under-the-radar prospect of this year’s Florida Get Down. Standing at 6-6 with long arms, Martin had both the physical tools and the skillset to lead Strawberry Crest. His length and athleticism made him a dunking threat and an efficient finisher over defenders around the basket. However, the most impressive feature of his game was his ability to create his own shot. As a bigger guy against a St. Francis Catholic team who had no answer inside, Martin could have just stayed around the basket and posted up. However, he made sure everyone in the gym knew he was a guard first. He was able to use great hesitation and pull-up moves to get open for tough mid range jump shots and knock them down with ease. His handle was tight, his form was impeccable, and the confidence with which he shot the basketball was second to none. It’s clear to see why he dropped a 30 piece. He’s the most underrated player in his class right now, and should start to make waves as he continues to dominate around Florida.
Highlights
It was very evident what the Lake Worth hype is all about. They play hard, smart, and are incredibly athletic. Barthelus stood out as Lake Worth’s most athletic weapon. Barthelus was playing above the rim on both sides of the ball. On offense, he was able to soar high for alley oops or putbacks. On defense, he was contesting shots from much larger players. On both ends, he was a beast on the glass and added another rebounder to augment an already tough rebounding team. At just 6-4, Barthelus isn’t afraid to jump with bigger players because he knows he is the most athletic guy on the floor. While Barthelus’ best trait was no doubt his high-flying, he showed flashes of other skills needed to be an effective guard. He nailed a three pointer in the first half and had a strong enough handle to go downhill if needed. He’s the 4th option on a team that boasts the likes of Calvin Sirmans Calvin Sirmans 5’8″ | PG Lake Worth | 2023 State FL , Marvin Golf Marvin Golf PG Lake Worth | 2023 FL and Jaylen Innocents, but he’s the perfect guy to have on a team that prioritizes athleticism and rebounding tenacity.
Bol Agu
Bol Agu
Agu makes this list mostly because of how much he has grown since I watched him at this event one year ago. Agu has developed his physical tools and conditioning and looks like a college-ready guy physically. His handle has improved dramatically, and his instincts with the ball in his hand no longer hindered him. IQ wise, Agu looks like a completely different prospect. He played like the primary ball handler at times and was able to find teammates in the right spots. Agu has developed his jumper and looked like a true wing/forward. At 6-8. Agu is a mouthwatering prospect for coaches, and with his mentality obviously being focused on continuing to grow his game, he should be a guy coaches can rely on developing. Agu is a perfect guy for the right NAIA/D2 opportunity.