Preseason Polk Edition: #RealDeal Prospect List Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hoops scene in Polk County is starting to heat up as the fall basketball season approaches. Prep Hoops scout Drew Johnson has compiled a list of must-know prospects in the Polk area for coaches and readers. Watch for updates on their progress and see who rises to the top. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Willie u0022Treu0022 Jackson ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lakeland","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"High School: u003cstrongu003eLakelandu003c/strongu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eOne of the prospects boldly circled on my rising radar list is 6-4 junior combo guard u003cstrongu003eTre Jacksonu003c/strongu003e who made the move over to Lakeland High for his junior season. He's an athletic playmaker who stretches the floor with a solid jumper and attacks the paint for tough layups and put-back opportunities. *Jackson previously averaged nearly double-digit points in his sophomore season for the Auburndale Bloodhounds. He will now be the focal point of the Dreadnaughts offense this season as he will be joined by a few talented ball players following the high school football season. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2201109"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: leftu0022u003eBlazi is a potential Power 5 prospect if he is able to replicate his dominant performance from the offseason. He's a 6'8 shooting guard that can stretch the floor with his shooting ability and also cause problems in transition because of his length and physicality. One of the premier 2024 prospects in that has a chance to get on the national radar. Blazi is currently hearing from D1 schools such as Georgia Southern, Arizona State, Western Kentucky, and more. u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHe can do it all on the offense end: shoot threes – draws fouls – and isn't out of control when running offensive sets. His defensive effort was to note as well as he can contest shots off the backboard. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1055581"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Lanier is entertaining to watch on the floor because of his versatility and ability to contribute on both ends. He's a 6'4 combo guard with decent athleticism and explosiveness that he uses to finish strong at the rim and contest lay ups on the defensive side with good hops. He still has time to polish his overall game heading into his senior season where he can generate some interest in his college recruitment. Experienced leader for VCA this season who will look to help make a deep push in the playoffs.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1450209"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"*High School: u003cstrongu003eWinter Havenu003c/strongu003ernrnMosley made the move over the play with a talented Winter Haven Blue Devils squad for his junior season which is primed to make another state championship push. Replacing some lost production with kids like Mosley who is a versatile scoring threat that provides solid outside shooting will be crucial throughout the season. Came away was impressed with his explosiveness and willingness to defend and rebound during an offseason tournament. Important year for his overall development at the Prep level as he possesses a college-ready frame at 6-6, 208-pounds with time to add to his bag of skills.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2217893"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"One of our prime-time performers at this year's Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo Event is set for a huge senior season that can land him a Power 5 offer. Diop is a 6-6 combo guard that can defend multiple positions and provide some rim protection with his athleticism and instincts. Has really high upside potential when he puts it all together. Great finisher at the rim and he also flashed his jump shot ability from mid or behind the arc. *u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e Diop has menace tendencies on the defensive end by creating steals with his longer frame and is a speed demon with the rock in transition. He's able to force defenders to collapse when driving where he finds open teammates.u003c/spanu003e College coaches, this kid should be on your radar to watch this season playing with Jordan Christian Prep.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1620359"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eNixon is one of the more underrated 2025 prospects not just in Polk but the entire state. He jumps out of the gym when watching his film while using his 6'5 frame to dominate smaller guards and flash his smooth knock-down jump shot. Nixon is a potential wing/guard at the next level that will be a true scoring threat as he continues to develop. He finished second in scoring with u003c/spanu003eu003cbu003e13.4 points per gameu003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e as a sophomore last season and will be a leader for his high school coming this fall. He currently holds an offer from Edward Waters but will keep an eye on his recruitment moving forward.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Antonio Wright","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2024 ","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Santa Fe Catholic ","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"As mentioned, u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWright made the move over to Sante Fe for his senior season to join a talented Hawks squad. Wright brings an extra scoring component for head coach Mike Blicher to implement into the offense. He's a combo guard that brings u003cstrongu003e15.4 points per gameu003c/strongu003e over to a good scoring offense. The 6-1 senior led George Jenkins in multiple categories last season and will look to be a 1-2 punch with premier rising 2025 combo guard u003c/spanu003eu003cbu003eTate Darner.u003c/bu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"Danilo Stankovic","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Jordan Christian Prep","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Another one of our Top Standouts from the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo Event in August that has jumped on my RealDeal radar list. This kid is a 6-7 scoring machine that can run the floor consistently and guard multiple positions. u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIt was the frame that popped out instantly, but when watching him move up and down the court on both ends of the ball while capitalizing on steals with dunks and easy layups was when I stamped him as the real deal. He also showed his shooting ability, but the toughness and consistent effort is what stood out most. He can surely generate some interest around his recruitment heading into his senior season.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Maddox Harold ","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2024 ","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"George Jenkins ","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"One of the true point guard prospects on the list and the county is 2024 u003cstrongu003eMaddox Haroldu003c/strongu003e. He's the u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003efloor general for the George Jenkins Eagles and has an important senior season ahead to pick up some college interest. As noted, one of the premier point guards in the area who can handle the rock and direct your offense. Don't sleep on his ability to score from mid-range and finish at the rim as he scored nearly double digits per game last season. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e2022 stats: u003c/spanu003eu003cbu003e8.1 ppg | 2.5 assists | 1.5 steals u003c/bu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653fb24725ce9"} /-->