South Florida: Top Passers
Like the beaches of South Florida, the scoring talent here is never-ending. With all the potential offensive firepower, the opportunity for assists and play-making is at a premium. In fact, according to MaxPreps, Florida players held down the most spots…
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Continue ReadingLike the beaches of South Florida, the scoring talent here is never-ending. With all the potential offensive firepower, the opportunity for assists and play-making is at a premium. In fact, according to MaxPreps, Florida players held down the most spots in the Top 50 (6) in assists in the entire country.
Below is a list of some of the best players who excel in this category.
1) Stephan Swenson Stephan Swenson 6'2" | CG Westminster | 2020 State FL – Westminster Academy: A native of Belgium, Swenson helped the Lions to a 20-9 record and is the epitome of a team player. With a high basketball IQ, the 2020 point guard finished his senior year with 9.2 assists per game. According to MaxPreps, that number would give Swenson the 10th best mark in the entire country. With 257 helpers total, Swenson seemed to play an extra step ahead over his opponents in my observance this season. Currently, he is verbally committed to Stetson University.
2) Alex Perez – Columbus: A 5’10″ point guard, Perez helped the Explorers to a 15-12 record while finishing 35th nationally in assists per game with eight. With a better than 3/1 assist to turnover ratio, Perez reached double-digit helpers in six games this season. Against Miami Beach in January, the 2020 Perez posted a season-high 14 assists while committing just three turnovers. Clearly, Perez has a keen eye when it involves getting his teammates the ball.
3) Andre Bynum Andre Bynum 5'8" | PG Miami | 2022 State FL – Miami High: A rising 2022 star, Bynum led the Stingarees with 6.8 assists per game, good for 91st in the country. The 5’7″ point guard teamed up with 2021 Justin Neely Justin Neely 6'5" | CG West Oaks | 2021 State FL to create a powerful 1-2 punch for the Stingarees. Against Miami Beach in February, Bynum dropped season highs in points (17) and assists (13). Be on the lookout for him.
4) Justin Neely Justin Neely 6'5" | CG West Oaks | 2021 State FL – Miami High: One of the best all-around players in South Florida, Neely finished just behind Bynum in assists per game with 6.4 for the Stingarees. Moreover, the 2021 star posted an impressive 27.2/12.3/6.4 line for Miami High this season. In his historic 60-point game against Coral Park, Neely dropped 12 assists while committing only three turnovers. The 6’5″ forward has received plenty of college interest from schools such as Jacksonville, Mercer, Duquesne, Florida Gulf Coast, FAU, Yale, Princeton, Baylor and Georgetown.
5) Desmond Romer Desmond Romer 5'11" | CG Coral Gables | 2021 State FL – Coral Gables: An athletic 6’2″ guard, Romer led the Cavaliers in both points (17.5) and assists (6.3). A 2021, Romer was a part of a quartet of underclassmen that helped Coral Gables to an 18-6 record. With an exciting group around him, Romer should be one of the top players in Miami-Dade again next season. Look for Coral Gables to also be a top team next year in the area.
6) David Alize David Alize 5'10" | CG North Miami Beach | 2021 State FL – North Miami Beach: A crafty 5’9″ guard, Alize led the the Chargers with 6.1 assists per game. A promising talent, the 2021 Alize posted double-digit assist games in five efforts this season. In a two-point loss to North Miami, the rising senior posted season-highs in both assists (11) and steals (6).
7) Chris Williams – Avant Garde Academy: A 2021 captain, Williams guided the Sharks to an 19-4 record while leading the team in points (18.0), rebounds (9.0) and assists per game (6.1). The 6’5″ swing-man nearly reached a triple-double with 13 points, ten rebounds and nine assists against Pine Crest Prep. An all-around talent, Williams is an underrated player in Broward county.
8)
Harry Santiago
Harry
Santiago
6'0" | SG
Miami Prep | 2022
State
FL
– Grandview Prep: A 2021 guard, Santiago guided the Pride to a 20-8 record and a 2A-District 14 championship victory over Village Academy. A Palm Beach county sleeper, Santiago finished third on the Pride in points per game while leading Grandview Prep in assists with just over six. The Miami Christian transfer should be one of the top players in the region next season.
For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information…please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.