Orlando Hoops Festival Standouts: Part 3
Jake Perper
The 2017 Orlando Hoops Festival took place at The First Academy this past weekend.
Source Hoops put together a full slate of competitive games from Friday through Sunday. A packed schedule made for plenty of solid matchups, but also some games where players looked tired. That is typical of the live period.
Coaches from FSU, LSU, Clemson, FGCU, Drexel, USF, UCF, Stetson and more looked on as they evaluated the talent.
Here are is the second part of my top standouts list.
Read Part 1, here.
Read Part 2, here.
LaDarius Knight (Ashford/Team CP25)
We may not have an Alabama site yet, but that doesn't mean we can't be impressed by the prospects there. 2018 forward LaDarius Knight stood out all weekend long for the 17U Team CP25 Gauntlet team. He showed a catch and shoot type of ability and the tenacity to hang with the best of them defensively at his 6'5" frame. He is a mid-Division I player.
PJ Person (West Oaks/Team Breakdown)
With Elijah Weaver not in town for this tournament, PJ Person benefited with a boost in playing time on Team Breakdown 17U. It certainly helped that Anfernee Simons was burying every shot in sight, but Person handled the rock with confidence. He is a low-Division I prospect at this point as he brings his game together.
Dylan Orr (Banks County/Heat Check)
Coaches liked what Dylan Orr brings to the table. The lengthy 6'7" forward isn't overly athletic or strong at first glance, but he finds a way to get in the right spots on the court. He helped Heat Check upset Team Breakdown on Sunday 51-50. Orr is simply a solid inside presence and someone who will be a power forward at the Division II level next year.
Jose Placer (Master's Academy/Team CP25)
I really like this kid right here. Jose Placer is as sound as they come in terms of 2018 point guards. He has impressive vision that allows him to control the floor. He rarely makes a mistake and when he has the chance to shoot, he usually connects. Placer is a mid-Division I prospect at this point.
McLeon Charles (DME Academy/MTE Diamonds)
An unknown among coaches this weekend, McLeon Charles played consistently. He flourished as an attacker, something he usually does. He also found a way to get his teammates involved often. Charles will be spending this fall doing a prep year at DME Academy. He is a low Division I/Division II prospect right now.
