Summer Update: The Rock
Heading into the 2017-18 campaign, it appeared as if few programs suffered a rougher off-season blow than The Rock School in Gainesville.
The program suddenly bid adieu to one of the state and the country’s most transcendent talents in LSU-bound 6-foot-8, 218-pound forward Darius Days.
A powerful finisher and versatile offensive threat with a knack for securing offensive boards, Days transferred to IMG Academy at the 11th hour.
While many figured such a loss would throw a wrench into the storied program’s lofty post-season aspirations, the exact opposite would unfold.
The emergence of cerebral 6-foot-1 point guard Bryan Greenlee and an underrated 6-foot-4 slasher in Jaden Campbell thwarted any anticipation of a faltering program.
Since-graduated Antrell Charlton brought a well rounded game and a layer of veteran senior leadership to stabilize this core.
Lynn Kidd, now a burgeoning high-major prospect, also offered immediate contributions alongside this unheralded triumvirate.
The result was an SIAA state championship.
Now, with one of the state’s primary point guards and much of the core returning, The Rock has already planted the seeds for the plot to resurface as the class of the league to take root.
Here is a look at some of the returning pieces and incoming transfers to keep an eye on in 2018-19.
Lynn Kidd, Class of 2021
Few have undergone a more rapid transformation and ascension of Division-1 stock than Kidd has this summer.
The stretch four has developed a more dependable shot, one which he’s now extending beyond the confines of the arc.
“He’s a stretch 4/5 that can score and rebound effectively in the post and also step out to mid range and 3-point territory,” explained head coach Justin Hardin.
“He contests and blocks shots on the defensive end. Because of his instincts, he has high major potential.
Kidd recently earned offers from Ole Miss and Georgia Tech.
Hardin is still waiting on commitments who could potentially bolster the lineup instantly.
Dardin Kapiti, Class of 2019
Displaying a wealth of high level athleticism and sneaky bounce at 6-foot-9, the underrated forward out of Kosovo has the opportunity to really blossom.
He’s very much an unknown and unproven commodity at this point, aa he did not play AAU basketball this spring or summer. He did, however, play for the Kosovo national team.
Bryan Greenlee, Class of 2019
After leading the team in both scoring (15.2 PPG) and assists, the cerebral veteran point guard will inherit some ownership of this team.
He’s an adept facilitator and scores it all three levels. One aspect of Greenlee coaches are quick to cite is his college ready build.
Jaden Campbell, Class of 2019
Few envisioned Campbell authoring the type of loud impact that he had during his first year in the SIAA.
A hard attacking guard with considerable bounce and a downhill game, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged 14PPG as a junior.
Trey McCray, Class of 2019
The hot shooting 6-foot-4 off guard has the type of scoring aptitude that enables him to break games open.
He can be lethal from beyond the arc and really reel off points in a hurry. His MVP performance in the state title game was indicative of this.