All-American Jamboree: Sunshine Observations
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Prep Hoops and Swanny’s Roundball Review took in the action at The Big House in Taveres, FL this past weekend. Let’s take a look at some players who we saw in the Sunshine State this weekend in attendance. Balboa Prep…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops and Swanny’s Roundball Review took in the action at The Big House in Taveres, FL this past weekend. Let’s take a look at some players who we saw in the Sunshine State this weekend in attendance.
Balboa Prep Now in Sunshine State:
Balboa Prep has found a new home in the Sunshine State in Clearwater. Balboa Prep previously located in Southern California played this past weekend at The Big House. Balboa Prep will play some games on the Grind Session and in the SIAA this coming season according to Head Coach Dominique Jones.
Jahmarian Forrester (2025) returns to Balboa Prep this season. Forrester 6’10 originally from Hamilton, Ontario Canada really does a nice job of filling the lane in transition. Forrester brings good versatility to defend out on the perimeter. Jahmarian is a quick leaper who has the ability to alter and challenge shots on the defensive end of the court. Forrester constantly stays active and shows a great skill set to get a lot of things done.
Marcus Green (2026) is a thick framed post player down low. Green has a nice set of shoulders to draw contact down in the paint. Marcus a left-handed post player hails from Canada.
West Oaks Academy Has New Squad:
The Flames don’t rebuild just reload like usual. West Oaks Academy has plenty of new faces this season. Willie Sheppard Willie Sheppard 5'11" | PG Oldsmar Christian | 2024 State FL a jet quick point guard made the move over from Oldsmar Christian. Sheppard a pass first point guard really likes to change directions and race by defenders in the open court. He really makes his teammates happy with his passing skills and pass first mentality.
Ibrahima Traore Ibrahima Traore 6'9" | C West Oaks | 2024 State #193 Nation FL is off the board and headed to the University of Oregon net season. Traore is a long and agile forward who plays the game with an endless MOTOR at all times. Ibrahima cleans up on the glass on both ends of the court.
Jayden Joseph Jayden Joseph 6'2" | PG West Oaks | 2026 State FL is a new face this season from Miami. Joseph (2026) can really score the ball from all 3 levels on the floor. Jayden is shifty with the ball and seems to have no problems touching the paint at will. He connected on some nice dribble pull-ups and three -pointers here today. Joseph really likes to explode in transition with the ball in his hands.
Jordin Bell can really dial it in from the perimeter. Bell connected on several three-pointers here today for his efforts. Jordin attended Brooks DeBartolo a year ago in Tampa.
West Oaks Academy and Head Coach Kenny Gillion will be right in the thick of things again this season.
The Rock Was in Action:
College programs will for certain be making stops in Gainesville this season to The Rock.
Ryan Jones Ryan Jones 6'9" | PF The Rock | 2024 State #48 Nation FL is headed to Virginia Tech next season and DNP this past weekend. Guard Erik Taylor Erik Taylor 6'1" | CG Edgewater | 2024 State FL is the off board and headed to Sam Houston next fall.
Evan Sterck Evan Sterck 6'1" | PG The Rock | 2025 State #223 Nation FL really looked to guide the ship here today for the Red and Black. Sterck a St Louis, MO native played very aggressive and composed out front. Evan was able to use some ball-screens to get the ball to the cup while finishing from both sides of the rim. Sterck was able to convert on some jumpers from the perimeter.
Kalvin Vengeto originally from Paris, France had a solid showing here today. Vengeto (2025) is a very athletic forward who can cover a lot of ground in a very short period of time. Kalvin plays quick off the floor and really has the ability to challenge and alter shots on the defensive end.
Joseph Hartman Joseph Hartman 6'3" | CG The Rock | 2026 State FL (2026) is the son of University of Florida Assistant Coach Carlin Hartman. Hartman a combo guard really plays the game physical from his position. He was able to finish at the cup here today while playing the game with very good demeanor. Joseph has received interest already from the likes of Penn State, Charlotte, Omaha, Wichita State and others.
Potter’s House in Attendance:
The Lions out of Jacksonville has some familiar faces back in the lineup this season. Fredy Salam-Sylla Fredy Salam-Sylla 6'6" | SF Potter's House Christian | 2024 State FL is back for his 4th season at Potter’s House. The Frenchman was all over the place today with his play. Salam-Sylla a very versatile wing scored the ball at the rim, hitting mid-range jumpers and by connecting with the 3-ball. Fredy stalked the baseline on several occasions here today. He led the break, up the floor in transition by handling the rock and finding the open man.
Tijan Barrie Tijan Barrie 6'8" | PF Pottershouse | 2025 State FL brings a good presence down low for the Lions. Tijan plays bigger than his size and has the ability to challenge shots on the defensive end. Barrie was used as a mover-screener and played really well away from the ball at times. Tijan is in his 2nd year here and hails from England.