Florida Get Down Standouts (Part 2)
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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 second 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 second group of Florida guys that stuck out:
Walker had the most dominant shooting performance of the tournament in the game I watched against P.K. Yonge. Walker had 23 points on 6-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Walker’s confidence from behind the arc is unmatched, and he was willing and able to get whatever shot he wanted off the dribble or in the catch and shoot. Most of Walker’s scoring was from behind the arc, but Walker’s performances here at the Get Down have cemented him as one of the best shooters in Florida. Coaches who need a high IQ sharpshooter should put Walker on their radar.
Highlights
Betancourt is an interesting prospect, as are most of the guys who come out of a historically good Oldsmar Christian program. Betancourt stands at 6-8 with one of the most impressive verticals I have seen in high school. However, Betancourt showed some of his soft skills in Oldsmar’s eventual loss to Iona Prep. His jump shot form looks really good, and he hit some tough jumpers on catch and shoot threes and midrange pull-ups. Around the basket is where he thrives offensively, as his athleticism makes him able to jump over other defenders and finish with ease. Defensively, Betancourt goes hard and contests (sometimes wildly) anything that comes his way. He has a lot of developing to do at the collegiate level, but with his physical gifts and signs of good things to come, coaches should continue to give Betancourt looks during his senior season.
Maxwell has been one of the most underrated players in Ocala/Gainesville for the past 3 years. Now, the spotlight is on him as he leads a reloaded Williston team that plans on making a deep run in the state tournament. Maxwell looked as good as ever in his duel with Michigan commit Christian Anderson and a highly ranked Lovett team. Maxwell seemed to comfortably win this matchup, not only because of his team’s 10-point win, but Maxwell finished with 26 points to Anderson’s 21. His strength and conditioning made him an issue going downhill, as he was able to finish on all of Lovett’s defenders in the lane, especially through contact (3 and-1s). Maxwell was a menace on defense who was able to slow the Lovett offense to a standstill by forcing the ball out of Anderson’s hands. Maxwell looks like a poised leader who is ready to make the jump to the next level. A JUCO/NAIA or even D2 school should take a shot on Maxwell.