Montverde’s Zhang Is Worldly Talent
During Scott Golden’s Hoop Exchange All-American Jamboree in Apopka back in the fall, Montverde post-grad coach Kevin Boyle Jr. was quick to point out a fact not everyone is cognizant of.
You see, Montverde actually has a sister school in Shanghai.
In addition, significant percentage of the student population is Chinese.
And thus, with the arrival of sneaky athletic and multi-faceted 6-foot-9 forward Kevin Zhang, the fanfare surrounding the school’s nationally ranked and internationally recognized basketball team should rapidly intensify.
UCLA appears to be in heaviest pursuit of Zhang, a transfer from La Lumiere of Indiana (the team which knocked off Montverde in last year’s Dick’s Sporting Good’s national tournament).
While he’s deceptively strong and bouncy (capable of pulling off dunks only rarified 6-foot-9 athletes are capable of), Zhang has all around game.
He’s got a smooth touch from beyond the arc and can known down corner 3-pointers with consistency.
He’s also adept at scoring off the dribble and getting into the lane and finishing either at the rim or in crafty fashion. Zhang recently scored 24 points during Montverde’s 101-92 loss to Bradenton-based powerhouse IMG Academy, with former NBA star Jason “White Chocolate” Williams in attendance. White Chocolate’s son, Jaxon Williams, is a sophomore at Montverde.
Picture the basketball craze and frenzy which hovered over New York City’s Canal Street neighborhood during Jeremy Lin’s ascension with the Knicks, back during the “Linsanity” experience of 2012.
That’s similar to the reaction Zhang’s scoring onslaughts and ability to dissect defenses will elicit at Montverde’s home games. At a traditional power of Montverde’s level, the freakish 6-foot-9 forward has plenty of help.
Josh Roberts, Class of 2018
Football player converted to full time power forward brings a lot of hustle at 6-foot-9. He’s active on the glass and is a high-percentage threat with easy and at times emphatic, authoritative finishes around the rim. St. John’s-commit has come a long way since averaging 6.6 points on the AAU circuit. Once strictly a boards eater, much more of a scoring mindset has been instilled in him.
R.J. Barrett, Class of 2018
Frequently during Kobe Bryant’s reign of sheer dominance in the NBA, analysts referred to him as “the best player on the planet.” For R.J. Barrett, a dynamic 6-foot-7 forward who is headed to Duke, the same could be said. The potential NBA first overall pick of 2020 scored 40 points, ripped five boards, and doled out five assists during a recent win in Hawaii.
Andrew Nembhard, Class of 2018
Traditional point guard has playmaking acumen which many at this level lack. With witty passes and an ability to find people all over the court, the Florida-signee has a tendency to create for astonishingly wide open teammates. Decent scorer and shooter as well, to take the pressure of shouldering the load off Barrett.