Top Performers: On The Radar Elite 32 (Day 1)
Between five high school gyms, the On The Radar Elite 32 showcase started on Friday with a full slate of matchups.
I took in the action at McEachern High School to see a slew of Florida teams mixed in with programs from Georgia, South Carolina and other places.
Here is a look at the top prospects I watched.
Diante Smith (Choctaw/Showtime Hoops)
It was a slow start for all of the Showtime Hoops players against Team South Carolina. But 2019 Choctaw forward Diante Smith got the ball rolling after that and picked up the slack. The 6’6″ athlete recently committed to Alabama and he showed off his jumper, relentless attacking and fluid movement all game long.
2019 Choctaw F Diante Smith out here proving why he’s ready for life at Alabama. @D5SHOW @Choctawbball @1FamilyHoops #elite32 pic.twitter.com/Z002fN8Fi5
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) July 13, 2018
Braxton Bartlett (Oldsmar Christian/SEBA)
Passing has always been one of Braxton Bartlett’s best strengths. In his team’s first tilt of the day against Team Georgia Magic, he was dishing out teams (view the video below). The 6’5″ Oldsmar Christian guard leads the break, rarely turns it over and always gives you hard minutes whether his shot is falling or not.
Laser one handed pass here inside from Braxton Bartlett to Josh Berenbaum. Impressive. @Brax_Bartlett @josh_berenbaum @SEBACoachThorpe #elite32 pic.twitter.com/s3vQjjMsyx
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) July 13, 2018
Chris Spenkuch (Norland/Team Speights)
At 6’7″, Norland forward Chris Spenkuch was playing well inside before he exploded for a highlight reel dunk that you can watch over and over below. His speed, length and pure athleticness makes college coaches fall in love with his game quickly. Spenkuch picked up a North Alabama later in the day to pair with his first offer from Cornell.
A superb athlete, 2019 Norland F Chris Spenkuch gets super high for this fancy slam. @ChrisSpenkuch @NorlandMiami @TeamSpeights5 #elite32 pic.twitter.com/WvgtUYsIug
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) July 14, 2018
Kolton Mitchell (Victory Rock/Florida Sons)
Being unselfish is wired into Kolton Mitchell’s bloodstream. The 2019 6’2″ Victory Rock guard was simply the best player on the floor for the Florida Sons against Team South Carolina. He always takes care of the ball as the point man, but his coach wanted him to get inside for jumpers and lay-ins and he created on his own.
2019 Victory Rock G Kolton Mitchell makes the defender fall then hits the mid-range. @KoltonMitchell @VRockBasketball @FloridaSonsAAU #elite32 pic.twitter.com/7pv51wD0tN
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) July 13, 2018
Preston Urbancic (First Baptist/Team Speights)
Always a confident shooter, 2019 First Baptist guard Preston Urbancic was connecting a lot against Game Elite Blue. His team lost in overtime and quite honestly, it was Urbancic that made things happen down the stretch with his outside touch. At 6’2″, Urbancic sees the floor well and has a quick release to his arsenal.
Trey ball from 2019 First Baptist G Preston Urbancic. @PrestonUrbancic @FBAlions @TeamSpeights5 #elite32 pic.twitter.com/pV8mgscsOS
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) July 14, 2018
Jaz Farrell (DME/Showtime Hoops)
After spending his senior year at Pembroke Pines, Jaz Farrell will be suiting up for DME post-grad this fall. Playing on the 17U Showtime Hoops squad, the 6’1″ guard was doing just a bit of everything alongside Smith. Farrell was hitting 3’s, driving inside and even slammed home a dunk with one second left where he got up a bit.
2019 DME G Jaz Farrell stops and pops from 3. @DMEAcademyMBB @DanMondragon12 @1FamilyHoops #elite32 pic.twitter.com/PmutkbYnKe
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) July 14, 2018
Dante Love (Dr. Phillips/Team MOAM)
Much like his brother, Daniel, a freshman at Mercer, 2019 Dr. Phillips guard Dante Love is a good ballhandler. Love isn’t as dominant as his older brother, but he’s been playing very well the last four times I’ve seen him with Team MOAM this summer. The 6’1″ guard is built similarly to his brother and with more confidence and seasoning, he should increase his stock.