Area 305: Best of the Best

<p>Who is the best player in the Miami area? The question is simple but offers a ton of candidates.</p> <p>With all the talk about the "transfer portal", you have talented unsigned prospects right in our backyard! A local program can recruit the area and be rewarded with high quality kids.  </p> <p>I’m leaving out the Class of 2022 for this argument. Otherwise, many prospects in that class would be in here. ([player_tooltip player_id="814912" first="Jimel" last="Lane"]/[player_tooltip player_id="814913" first="Esteban" last="Lluberes"], etc).</p> <p>Here are my picks...</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1310859" first="Mister" last="Dean"] - Southridge</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1310859" first="Mister" last="Dean"] will be one of the top seniors in the county. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has plenty of movement and length to score from anywhere on the floor. Watch him off the dribble and attack using his size. Dean has an array of moves using his long arms to finish from there. He averaged over 21 points per game as a junior. Dean holds an offer from Bryant. His teammate, 6-foot-6 [player_tooltip player_id="962427" first="Koree" last="Cotton"], is also in this conversation. Cotton is reliable at both guard spots. He will also rebound at a high rate from the backcourt. Cotton averaged over 17 points per game.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1055745" first="Marcus" last="Allen"] - Miami Norland</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1055745" first="Marcus" last="Allen"] is clearly a top player around Miami. The 6-foot-7 prospect can slash off the perimeter while shooting from deep as well. Allen converted about 35 percent of his three-point attempts as a freshman and sophomore. He offers a lot of scoring options and is only getting stronger. Allen is equally as tough as a rebounder and plays great help defense. He holds offers from multiple D-1 programs.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1055719" first="Christian" last="Reid"] - Mater Lakes Academy</p> <p>I think [player_tooltip player_id="1055719" first="Christian" last="Reid"] has the potential to skyrocket over the next few years. He is already a physical prospect that can muscle smaller players and finish around the rim. Add-in his bounce in open space and Reid can be tough to contain. He averaged over 15 points and eight rebounds as a freshman at Miami SLAM! and 16 points and nearly 11 rebounds with the Bears. Furthermore, his shooting efficiency is only getting better with each season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1301714" first="Cameron" last="Boozer"]/[player_tooltip player_id="1301715" first="Cayden" last="Boozer"] - Columbus</p> <p>The Boozer brothers are already top 25 players in the country. 6-foot-8 [player_tooltip player_id="1301714" first="Cameron" last="Boozer"] shoots from the perimeter like a two guard. Cayden is 6-foot-4 with an elite handle and ability to flash towards the rim.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1301718" first="Shon" last="Abaev"] - Miami Country Day</p> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id="1301718" first="Shon" last="Abaev"] might be the best shooter in the area. The 6-foot-6 lefty prospect has a quick release and can score in bunches. Abaev is very smooth and has good shooting rotation, especially from outside. Don’t undersell his play off the bounce and finish above the rim. Abaev can be an effective player at the 1-3 or more as he gets stronger. His teammate, [player_tooltip player_id="709245" first="Jasai" last="Miles"], is also a strong candidate. The 6-foot-6 guard is a tough player in transition and can finish above the rim. If he can improve a bit as a shooter, Miles will be very tough to stop.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="955591" first="Justin" last="Johnson"]- Doral Academy</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="955591" first="Justin" last="Johnson"] is a tough player in the halfcourt. The 6-foot-7 wing can handle the ball like a guard while using his size to create. He averaged over 22 points and six boards per game while shooting 49 percent from the field as a junior.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1301788" first="Dante" last="Allen"] - Riviera Prep</p> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id="1301788" first="Dante" last="Allen"] is a player I saw frequently this past season. Allen runs the floor well and is strong in transition. He is also capable as a shooter out to the 3-point line. Allen gained a ton of experience on a good Riviera Prep team this past season. See how talented the 2025 class is?</p> <p>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</p>