The Palm Beach County Five
Over the past week, I have seen many media publications come out with all-class and all-county teams. With the abundance of talent that exists in South Florida, this list might be one of the more difficult tabulations in the entire…
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Continue ReadingOver the past week, I have seen many media publications come out with all-class and all-county teams. With the abundance of talent that exists in South Florida, this list might be one of the more difficult tabulations in the entire country. As stringent as it is, I myself flip-flopped over many choices, particularly between the first and second teams.
As I have said in the past, a second or third team nomination in this region would likely be upgraded in other parts of the country. The teammates you practice with and the opponents you play against here will better prepare you for the college game.
With that said, congratulations to the players below on a fantastic season.
MVP: Yussif Basa-Ama Yussif Basa-Ama 6'9" | PF St. Andrews | 2020 State #264 Nation FL : St. Andrew’s Scots
The 2020 forward was the anchor behind the Scots first-ever state title, averaging 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks for the program. On the season, the Yale commit scored in double-figures in 28 of the Scots 31 games. The 6’9″ senior played big when it counted, scoring 89 points (18.6 PPG) over five games in Lakeland. In addition, Basa-Ama grabbed 43 rebounds (8.6 RPG) over that span. In recognition of his efforts, the future Bulldog was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 3A Player of the Year.
Josh Minott Josh Minott 6'9" | PF St. Andrew's | 2021 State #30 Nation FL : St. Andrew’s Scots
A long 2021 forward, Minott led the Scots in scoring (17.2) and rebounding (7.4) per game this season. The 6’8″ junior propelled St. Andrew’s on a 13-game winning streak in lieu of its elusive state championship. Against then No. 1 Sante Fe Catholic, Minott poured in a season-high 28 points on 12-of-17 from the field. During the state title run, Minott averaged 20.2 points per game. The rising senior is one of the best prospects in all of South Florida. A D-1 prospect, he holds offers from Dayton, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, North Texas, Rice and Stetson.
Giancarlo Rosado Giancarlo Rosado 6'8" | PF Palm Beach Lakes | 2020 State #424 Nation FL : Palm Beach Lakes Rams
A scoring assassin, the 2020 forward led the Rams with a whopping 26.7 points and nine rebounds per game. Overall, Rosado scored thirty or more points in six games this season. A Florida Atlantic commit, the 6’8″ forward scored 27 points in a district championship victory over Jupiter. In addition, Rosado grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds twice against the Warriors. Led by Rosado, Palm Beach Lakes faced the toughest scheduled in Palm Beach county according to the FHSAA. The Owl bound senior was as lethal as any player putting the basketball in the bucket in South Florida.
Donovan Draper Donovan Draper 6'6" | PF Forrest Hill | 2021 State FL : Forest Hill Falcons
The 2021 forward helped the Falcons to a 28-3 record and a No. 2 spot in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rankings in mid-February. In addition, the 6’6″ wing combined for 42 and 23 rebounds over two games to lead Forest Hill to a 7A-District 10 basketball title. Overall, Draper averaged 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game to lead the Falcons. In two of his best games of the year, the junior posted double-doubles against Lee (21/17) and Wellington (22/13). Draper has received interest from IUPUI, FGCU and Stetson.
Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL : Wellington Wolverines
The 2023 Allen burst onto the South Florida scene by averaging 18.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Wolverines. Moreover, Allen guided Wellington a 21-win campaign. This summer, the 6’4″ shooting guard plans on running with the NIKE EYBL circuit. Currently, he holds an offer from South Florida and has received interest from Central Florida, Dayton and Oklahoma State. In short time, Allen will be busting up the national rankings.
The Next Five
Micah Octave Micah Octave 6'4" | CG Grandview Prep | 2021 State FL – Grandview Prep
Erik Pratt – Park Vista
Cedric Louis – St. John Paul II Academy
Samuel Rolle IV – Suncoast
Vladimir Vilbert – Cardinal Newman
The Next, Next Five
Bidje Pierre – Jupiter Christian
D’Ante Daniels – Forest Hill
Noah Mamann – Yatz Yeshiva
Harry Santiago Harry Santiago 6'0" | SG Miami Prep | 2022 State FL – Grandview Prep
Jose Passius – Village Academy
For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information…please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 or follow him on twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.