Florida Top 250 Expo: Top Stock Risers
Down in Florida, we held our second ever Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo. This time around we ran the event at DME Academy, a top notch facility with two NBA sized courts and brand new training areas. Exactly 86 players were in attendance from classes ranging from 2018-2021.
It was a fun day filled with plenty of good basketball and training. Here are top stock risers from the weekend.
Upperclassmen
2019 Palm Beach Central G Alphonse Alfred
The fact that Alphonse Alfred made the three hour drive north following a football game two days prior was very impressive. A 6’4″ guard/forward, Alfred showed poise on defense and made the most of his offensive opportunities. He averaged 9.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season for Palm Beach Central. Look for his numbers to rise.
2018 Cypress Creek G Thomas Bernard
Perhaps the player who had the most fun on Saturday was Thomas Bernard. The 6’1″ Cypress Creek guard is constantly smiling and playing hard on both ends of the floor. His passing is his best asset. He had some nice jumpers and flow to his game. He’ll be a core leader for the Bears this fall.
2019 Choctaw G Joshua Williams
Coaches kept talking about Joshua Williams. The 2019 Choctaw point guard is a heads up defender and a really good ballhandler. He was one of the best court leaders in the older group. At 5’10”, Williams is undersized, but he has a non-stop motor that helps him stand out.
2018 Lake Gibson G Nick Jiles
Perhaps overlooked because he was a pass-first player on Saturday, 2018 Lake Gibson guard Nick Jiles can score a ton. He got going towards the end of the scrimmages. The 5’10” Jiles does his best work out in transition but his jumper is seasoned as well.
2018 John Carroll G Ashton Singleton
Coming up with a group of Ball4Lyfe United players, 2018 John Carroll guard Ashton Singleton showed off his long-range game. The 5’11” senior hit tough jumpers and spread the ball around for his offense. Singleton is a leader by example and I expect more of the same this fall for the Rams.
Underclassmen
2021 Montverde G Jaden Golston
For some reason, I kept picturing a young Kevin Knox when I watched 2021 Montverde guard Jaden Golston. He rocks a size 11 shoe, is clearly not done growing on his 5’10” frame and his outside jumper is impressive. If Golston can add strength and confidence to his inside game, then he’ll be really sound.
2020 Lakewood Ranch G Keon Buckley
Perhaps the best performer from the underclassmen group was 2020 Lakewood Ranch guard Keon Buckley. At 6’0″, he has the smarts to handle his own on both ends of the floor. Most importantly, Buckley can create on his own, especially in transition and down low. His arrow is pointing up.
2020 North Marion G Torey Buie
Torey Buie stood out time and time again on Saturday. The 6’1″ North Marion guard led the point for his group and found his way into the paint for tough buckets. Buie has good length to him and plays with a plethora of confidence. He will be a top scorer for the Colts this fall.
2020 North Florida Christian G Victor Clark Jr.
My favorite undersized guard in the 2020-2021 group was sophomore Victor Clark Jr. The 2020 North Florida Christian guard stands at 5’7″, but boy is he fast. Clark Jr. is deceivingly strong and he has a knack for finding his way inside for layups and floaters.
2020 Hallandale G Jahvon Smith
At 6’2″, 2020 Hallandale guard Jahvon Smith can play both guard spots and the wing. He proved to be a nice ballhandler and someone who can score in bunches. Smith will be leaned on heavily at Hallandale this season with his offensive abilties.