POY Candidates: Miami
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With Jamal Mashburn Jr. transferring to New Hampshire Brewster Academy, a number of proven and highly decorated Class of 2019 prospects will jockey for the opportunity to be Miami’s Player of the Year.
It’s no secret, Mashburn Jr. was a rarified talent.
The fact that his most unique assett–a lethal and seemingly automatic mid-range game–has become a lost art in today’s climate was chief amongst the now senior’s unique qualities.
Mashburn Jr.’s emergence as a prolific bucket getter capable of dissecting various defensive schemes to stop him endeared him to numerous high-major programs.
Similarly, the remaining core of Player of the Year candidates in Miami share this scoring trait.
Here’s a look at early potential finalists for such a prestigious award:
Turo Dean, South Miami
If the pitbull 6-foot point guard were 6-foot-4, mid to high major coaches would be lined up at the Class of 2019 guard’s doorstep.
He’s a natural facilitator who can really create for the weapons surrounding him.
The First Team All State selection had numerous games of double digit assists all across his junior season.
Most notably, he’s as certifiable a defensive pest as anyone in Miami or Dade County.
Cyrus Largie, Mater Lakes Academy
The bullish 6-foot-3 guard loves to get into the teeth of defenses and finish at the rim.
With a now polished mid range game, the longtime varsity scorer will look to cement a legacy in which he’s already totaled over 2,500 career points.
Tony Sanders, Gulliver Prep
With Mashburn Jr. headed to play for Jason Smith at the veritable Division-1 launchpad that is Brewster Academy, the onus is on Sanders to be an every possession guy.
He’s bouncy, he’s instinctive and the 6-foot-5 Class of 2020 prospect scores it all three levels.
Kentron Poitier, Palmetto
As a mammoth presence on the glass, who is laced with an instinctive defensive style, the trampoline-bouncy forward would reap the rewards of developing a guard’s skill set and applying it to the sky-rising potential he is already oozing of.
Fully utilizing his attacking ability and applying it to the potential he is already oozing of would bolster his Division-1 stock.
With his natural ability to get to the rim and score and his prodigious hops, Poitier has leveled up into a bona fide scorer.
This year, he will inherit the leadership role while simultaneously shouldering a bulk of the scoring load. He will have plenty of help from numerous vastly improved weapons at his disposal.
Jorge Becceril, Mater Academy
The rugged 5-foot-10 guard best exemplifies the every possession toughness required for a veteran senior and established two-way threat.
The high-octane guard really leads by example, facilitating a balanced attack and also setting a loud and reverberating tone defensively.
Becceril’s knack for making vital defensive stops and scoring and creating in a timely fashion should be translatable to a memorable senior campaign.
While he may not pass the “eye test” so to speak with his diminutive size, Becceril’s gritty style and efficiency are capable of making countless programs at the next level better.
Vernon Carey, University School
The bullish 6-foot-10 forward has the athleticism of a rim to rim high major forward.
The fact that the Class of 2019 Carey boasts a wing’s skill set and possesses the ability to score it at all three levels makes him a very safe bet to be a McDonald’s All American and the country’s best player in 2019.
Scottie Barnes, University School
Laced with electrifying athleticism and an ability to get to the rim with relative ease, the 6-foot-7 forward is being prioritized by Villanova, Maryland, Miami, and myriad others.
He’s continued to work away at the development of a mid range game and dependable deep jumper. Once that compartment of his game is established, Barnes could very well carve his way to becoming the No.1 player in the country in 2020.
Toumani Camara, Chaminade Madonna
The crafty 6-foot-7 forward has an adeptness at creating his own shot.
The Belgium-born Class of 2019 prospect has been dissecting defenses with pull-ups and a feathery mid-range game. This summer, he’s shown an explosive vertical and wild above the rim finishing aptitude. Buffalo, FGCU, Florida Atlantic, GWU and handfuls of others have been in pursuit.
Thaddeus Franklin, Chaminade Madonna
The well built Class of 2021 guard is a supreme athlete and two way threat. A highly touted Division 1 prospect in football,
He’s got natural ability in how he bullies defenders on forays to the rim.
An instrumental piece of his evolution as a scorer would be the development of a fluid shot to supplement his bulldozing of defenders. Very few guards in this league can survive on athleticism alone. Defenses will surely look to make the hard-slashing Franklin a shooter.
Sam Griffin, Westminster Academy
After being more of a role player and ceding the spotlight to Zach Scott (now at FGCU) last year, the Class of 2019 Griffin has improved tremendously this summer.
Shooting the ball efficiently and really carving out space to create his own shot and produce on the flt, Griffin has piled up numerous mid major offers.
Chase Johnston, Westminster Academy
Bagging 3-pointers in droves with consistency while playing for Team Auto Nation this summer, Johnston has recently picked up an offer from IPFW.
Beyond a supreme touch from outside and a bolt-quick release, the Class of 2019 Johnston has the scoring engine capable of breaking open a game. He’s shown this numerous times this summer.
He’s also been an adequate facilitator, running an offense and displaying a heady feel for the game.
Dudley Blackwell, Westminster
At 6-foot-6 and jumping out the gym, Blackwell has been inundated with a bevy of high major offers.
He’s become a reliable 3-point shooter and has considerable elevation on his shot. Blackwell is a better passer than credited for. Expect the Class of 2020 Blackwell to churn out a few triple doubles next season.