SIAA Newcomers: Part III
Mamadou N’Diaye, The Nation Prep
Since the spring, the 7-foot Class of 2019 prospect has worked at establishing a dependable long range game. Working diligently with head coach Mike Woodbury helped evoke a soft and polished touch, an aspect which enables him to really open up the court and spread out defenses. He’s still raw, but he’s got the rim protecting presence and multi-positional defensive game to take on a role similar to last year’s prized prospect, Abdou N’Diaye.
His fleet of foot and ability to finish in the transition game has been promising. He’s still improving on a day to day basis and has areas of his game that need refinement, but he could potentially pan out as the program’s most noteworthy and upside heavy piece.
Idrissa Bivens, The Nation Prep
The tough, New York-bred guard returns with a knack for carving his way to the rim and creating space for his shot. He’s got a scoring aptitude off the ball and has emerged into a consistent fade-away shooter. Bivens emerged from obscurity after scoring 18 points against 2018 NBA draft selection Anfernee Simons and IMG Academy’s national post grad team.
Adept at attacking and taking defenders to the rim, Bivens has also become a stout on-ball defender capable of getting key stops.
Justin Johannesson, The Nation Prep
The 6-foot-11 Class of 2019 prospect has earned Division-I offers from Belmont and McNeese State. With his big body and ability to step out and hit deep jumpers and 3-pointers, he’s got the potential to become a late stock riser on the mid major recruiting market.
Johannesson has big, soft hands and is cognizant of how to use his body against smaller defenders. He’s a big space eater who has improved incrementally as a rebounder. He’ll be tasked with hitting the boards in relentless fashion and supplying stickbacks. Expect him to score a significant percentage on hustle points, given his ramped up role as a key interior cog.
Marvens Petion, The Nation Prep
Giving the hyper athletic 6-foot-7 Petion a stage such as the SIAA to operate on will surely propel his Division-I stock. He’s got natural finishing ability in the open court and can really find his way to the rim. He’s got the most vertical explosion in the program and can score on dazzlingly athletic plays around the rim. He’s adjusted to the role of primary ball handler, which he will be tasked with this season. He’s got a nifty handle and can score it isolations and one on ones very effectively. Defensively, he is capable of guarding the 1-4.
The high riser currently holds offers from Louisiana Tech, McNeese State, and Illinois State.
Jadrian Tracey, Oldsmar Christian
The Fort Meyers native has always been known for his burst and high-rising athleticism. He put up gaudy numbers this past year at Riverdale. Tracey averaged 19.1 points, 6.6 boards, 3.0 assists, and 2.1 steals. A high efficiency scoring threat, Tracey shot a smoking 60 percent from the field this past season while simultaneously opening up a 3-point stroke. His scoring pace and high scoring percentage hasn’t been replicated since Nassir Little, whose shooting hovered around 60 percent during his final two seasons at Orlando Christian Prep.
Tracey elected to transfer to Oldsmar for the national visibility and uber competitive SIAA schedule. The 6-foot-5 guard/forward and Class of 2020 prospect has offers from Tennessee Tech, Florida International, and South Florida.
Kobe Gibbs, Oldsmar Christian
The 6-foot-7 Class of 2020 forward is raw but ultra athletic and has shown flashes. He’s versatile enough to handle the ball and go coast to coast and has some explosive vertical leaping ability to him.
One this team, he’ll shoulder the role of a jack of all trades defender with length and tremendous shot contesting ability. While he’s shown he can clamp down on guards and run the floor with them, he’s also a rim protector who can front the post and play in the trenches. He’s got a wealth of potential as an unproven piece who could potential break open his recruitment and bolster his stock this season.
Thomas Gilgeous Alexander, Potter’s House Christian
The 6-foot-7 guard/forward is a multi-positional piece who thrives as a facilitator. He’s got a manipulative, crafty handle which enables him to draw defenders before whipping the ball to an astonishingly open teammate. His IQ and ability to see the floor and playmake have garnered him offers from the likes of Fresno State, South Carolina, and New Mexico.
He’s got length and can really pressure guards defensively. He’s got the defensive versatility which enables him to guard the 1-4. He certainly has a good blood line. He will shoulder multiple runs under coach Steve McLaughlin, who envisions him pioneering a high-wire offense capable of averaging 85-90 PPG this season.