Recruiting Update: Florida
Dante Wilcox, Oxbridge Academy
If the Class of 2019 forward were 6-foot-9, he would have high major programs lining up at his doorstep. The muscle-bound 6-foot-5 forward is a power player who finishes above the rim at will. He’s got mobility, manchild caliber strength, and the type of scoring skill-set similar to former Oak Ridge star Emmitt Williams (now at LSU). He’s opened up a steadily evolving deep jumper and proven he can pop it from 15-18 feet out. His ability to sky for rebounds and run the floor have been noteworthy factors in his development.
By committing to Florida International, Wilcox has the opportunity to play meaningful minutes early on. His soaring athleticism makes him a high percentage threat.
Chase Johnston, Westminster Academy
Johnston cemented his status as a shot-maker throughout his junior season, bagging numerous monumental treys. This summer, which witnessed him average a team-best 22PPG for Team Auto Nation, Johnston developed into a deadeye transition shooter who can trigger runs and break open games. He also displayed a feel for operating offense as a facilitator. With Dudley Blackwell transferring, Johnston and Sam Griffin will spearhead Ehren Wallhoff’s young program.
Johnston, who was recently offered by Vermont, visited Florida Atlantic in late August. The coaching staff appears sold on his catch-and-stick game, envisioning him as a potential off the ball option for Michael Forrest. Johnston also generated interest from Siena and UMBC this summer. He holds offers from Stetson, FGCU, UT-Arlington, and several others. With a tremendous green light as one of the state and the country’s most reliable knockdown man (with a bolt-quick release), Johnston has the chance to up his stock as the focal point this season.
Sam Griffin, Westminster Academy
Griffin has been on an entirely different plane since he lit up Montverde’s 36-0 national team to the tune of six 3-pointers last year. The 6-foot-2 guard authored a terrific summer, emerging into an all-around scoring threat while developing the toughness and shot-creation skill set required for the next level.
Griffin currently holds offers from Brown, NJIT, Northern Colorado, Navy, Lipscomb, Norther Arizona, Hofstra, Florida International, Arkansas State, and others. Griffin visited Arkansas State for his first official visit. Under head coach Mike Balado, a Miami product who has tapped into South Florida’s regal recruiting lines, Arkansas State has registered its presence in the recruitment of several of the area’s high caliber prospects.
Toumani Camara, Chaminade Madonna
The 6-foot-7 Class of 2019 prospect has become the focal point. In increasing his vertical explosiveness and developing a thunderous above the rim game to supplement his deft left-handed sling shot, Camara’s recruitment has skyrocketed. The high-scoring forward holds offers from FGCU, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Buffalo, George Washington, St. Francis (NY), Minnesota, and countless others. His stock heightened during July, as his list of scholarship offers reached the high-20s.
Georgia recently offered the crafty, high-scoring combo forward.
Kenan Blackshear, Jones
The 6-foot-5 Class of 2019 prospect is deadly for his versatility. He’s a supremely underrated, well-built forward who can really break open games with his scoring and spurt-ability. East Carolina and Florida Atlantic recently heaped scholarships on the hard-attacking Blackshear, he of the known Florida basketball bloodline.
FAU appears to be prioritizing Blackshear. At the same time, East Carolina has a recruiting advantage in assistant coach Steve Roccaforte. “Coach Rock” was instrumental in recruiting Blackshear’s older brother Terry to Virginia Tech.