Five Bigs to Watch in SWFL

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southwest Florida is starting to earn some respect throughout the state with the amount of talent in the area, and each and every year there are a number of prospects that turn some heads on the recruiting landscape. As we gear up for this upcoming high school season lets take a closer look some of the players in the area and what they bring to the court. First off, I am going to start with five bigs to keep an eye on during the 2024-25 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620356"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670eb00bb47ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson may be one of the most intimidating and exciting players to watch in the entire state. He is a freak athletically, and a double-double machine. He gets the crowd on their feet with his rim-rocking dunks night in and night out, and is a huge presence in the middle with his ability to block shots. Last season the 6'8" PF developed a bit of an outside game, where he was able to space out the defense a little more, and if he continues to develop that outside shot the sky's the limit. Johnson has started to see some offers roll in, and look for that to continue as he looks to have a monster senior year for the Griffins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1579753"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670eb1ed55478"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charlotte's big man had himself quite the summer and looks to roll that right over into the 2024-25 season. Taylor is a tremendous 2-way player who rebounds the ball very well on both ends of the court. He is quick off the floor and has the ability to run the floor and finish above the rim in transition. Defensively, his athleticism allows him to guard multiple positions and his length makes it very difficult to shoot over the top. Taylor looks to be a major part of the Tarpon's success this season, where he will be looked upon for his scoring and leadership. He picked up a couple offers over the summer and should continue to garner interest as he will be a key piece for Charlotte this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Fritz Odige","_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":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lehigh","_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670eb1ed55513"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Odige is a strong, physical kid who definitely saw his stock rise over the summer. Lehigh's big man seems to play with a chip on his shoulder and gives it 110% every time he steps on the court. He is a tremendous offensive rebounder, and uses his strength to capitalize on second-chance buckets. His knowledge of the game has really improved, where he positions himself very well on the floor both offensively and defensively. He is shot-blocking force in the middle and communicates very well with his teammates. He has a soft touch for a big, but really enjoys playing above the rim and getting the crowd involved. Odige should continue to see the offers pile up as he continues to fine tune his game in this his final high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1301712"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670eb1ed55558"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ashley will be a major factor for the Vikings and their success this season. Bishop Verot looks to be one of the top teams in the area in 2024-25, and the 6'7" PF will have a lot to do with that. He is a long, athletic prospect with great speed, who is outstanding in transition. He likes to play above the rim, but also has a smooth stroke from the outside, and has the ability to knock down the three ball when needed. Defensively, he can guard multiple positions and is a tremendous shot blocker. He rebounds the ball very well on both ends of the court, and looks to push the ball and get out and run. Ashley is a unique prospect who coaches should have their eye on as he enters his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Andrew Leopold","_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":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Gateway","_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670eb1ed555d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gateway's man in the middle should have a big year this upcoming season. The dual-sport athlete is a strong, physical kid who plays the game with energy and emotion. He uses his size and strength to his advantage where he his a tremendous rebounder both offensively and defensively. He'll do whatever the team needs and will sacrifice his body by taking a charge or getting on the floor for a loose ball. Offensively, he is strong around the rim with both hands, and can finish with contact. He runs the floor well and is a great passer for a guy his size. Leopold's size, strength, and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect to monitor as he looks to have a big season for the Eagles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->