FL Recruiting Notes: Oct. 3, 2018
On Tuesday, I made stops to two practices one in Tampa and the other in Tarpon Springs.
In the early AM, I stopped by The Skills Center to watch an impressive group of 2019 post grad players for Pro Holmes Sports Academy. Then from 2-4 PM, I went out to East Lake to see its group in an open run.
Here is a look at the two programs with some notes on each.
Pro Holmes Sports Academy Post Grad
—This program is full of players that excelled at a high level at their previous high schools. They’ll play a competitive schedule, play full speed and hope to attract colleges in the process.
—Guards Jordan Curtis, Dejuon Small, Nick Jiles, Rod Boggan and Malik Jordan all impressed in various ways. Curtis is a legitimate threat from deep and a high IQ player. Small and Jiles like to mix it up as passers and drivers. Boggan and Jordan both are valuable as mid-range shooters and attackers. Boggan earned an offer from JUCO USC Salkehatchie on Wednesday.
—Guard/forward Michael Hartford has the knack for a big outside shot and is able to drive to the hoop with ease. Guard/forward Antrell Charlton is a pure leader who digs in on the boards and is an elusive shooter.
—Down low, Taveion White, Mykayle Carter and Zare Cooper were all doing different things. White is a long body who likes to get inside with his speed. Carter (recently earned offers from USC Upstate and Canisius) can shoot from deep and get it going down low. Cooper is not 100 percent due to a knee issue, but he battled through to contribute.
Note: Guard Theirry Moliere was absent from the practice session due to an illness.
East Lake
—The top four on East Lake all can score in various ways. The most seasoned and athletic player is 2020 guard Dionte Blanch. A quiet and humble kid, Blanch earned his first offer from Louisiana Tech this summer. He is developing his jumper. As a dangerous attacker and reliable ballhandler, Blanch’s value as a creator is moving up quickly.
—2021 guard/forward Dean Gabrelcik is a fine counterpart to Blanch. The two feed off of one another well. Gabrelcik gets his feet set quickly in transition and can make defenders pay with his long arms on deep balls. He’s also a very high IQ passer.
—The other two contributors are 2019 forward Timothy Brunner and 2020 guard Jordan Hillmon. Brunner is an undersized forward, but he’s strong and the guy every varsity coach loves to have. He’s scrappy as can be and fights for boards and buckets inside. Hillmon is an elusive guard who can create for others and hit from the mid-range and deep at a high clip.