2021 Summer Stock Risers (Part 3)
In this makeshift summer due to COVID-19, we have seen many AAU held program showcases, individual events and various team events around the Florida area and in the south. Many players have shown enough simply on tape and colleges are…
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Continue ReadingIn this makeshift summer due to COVID-19, we have seen many AAU held program showcases, individual events and various team events around the Florida area and in the south.
Many players have shown enough simply on tape and colleges are watching now more than ever as they navigate these untested waters.
Here is a look at some of the summer stock risers from Florida.
Part 3
Jalen Smith Jalen Smith 6'5" | PG Oak Ridge | 2021 State #230 Nation FL | 6-5 | Oak Ridge/E1T1
The stock photo of Smith was taken a few seasons ago, since then he’s grown in height to 6-5 this summer. A beyond talented jump shooter, this is a rising talent with his ability to dish it out, push the tempo and simply get to the basket. Smith has improved every season on adding to his reliable jumper and it shows in every game I see him play. The Oak Ridge guard announced on Twitter on Tuesday that he will be committing on Sept. 15th (his teammate Michael James Michael James 6'5" | SF Oak Ridge | 2021 State #113 Nation FL will commit on Sept. 9th as well). Smith has offers out from FIU, Drake, East Tennessee State, Cleveland State, Siena, Elon, UNC Wilmington, Illinois Chicago, FAU, SMU, FGCU, College of Charleston, USF, Stetson, Texas State, Liberty and Hofstra. Wherever he lands, that program will immediately get a hard working and highly intelligent guard.
Alijah Kuehl Alijah Kuehl 6'10" | PF Bartram Trail | 2021 State FL | 6-10 | Bartram Trail/Jacksonville Hawks
One of the top big men in the state of Florida, Kuehl emerged during his junior year and has continued to do his thing near the cup and as a core defender and shot blocker. San Diego and South Alabama offered this month while New Orleans, Jacksonville, UNC Wilmington, Mercer and Rollins College have all offered him as well. Kuehl is a very impressive inside presence and can run the floor on fastbreaks. His jumper is steady for a player his size and he is a very crafty passer. Kuehl will continue to shine at whatever college he signs with.
Xavier Washington Xavier Washington 6'6" | PF Palmetto | 2021 State FL | 6-7 | Palmetto/Team Parsons
Washington is a crazy athletic wing who is just starting to hit his peak. He earned an offer early in June from Stetson and I truly expect him to rack up more before the year’s end. He’s flying under the radar after a rock solid season at Bradenton Palmetto. But the word will be out soon enough and anyone that turns on his film/highlights will see a long athlete who runs with the best of them, cleans up the boards and finishes strong. He’s only going to get better from this point forward.
Devin Hines Devin Hines 6'4" | CG St. Andrew's | 2021 State FL | 6-4 | St. Andrew’s/Team Parsons
A very dynamic guard, Hines is a versatile guard who prides himself on getting his teammates in good spots on the floor. He is very quick and can hurt defenders from deep or on the break. On a defending Class 3A St. Andrew’s squad, Hines will be leaned upon once again to get the ball inside to 2021 pair Joshua Minott (Memphis commit) and Bobby Stewart Bobby Stewart 6'8" | C St. Andrew's | 2021 State FL . This is a guard who can do plenty on his own but he simply makes everyone better around him and he can defend some talented guys with his size and athleticism. Hines has an offer out from Rice and will garner more interest here this fall.
Denzel Luna | 6-2 | Timber Creek/TNT Hoopsquad
This is a leader right here. Luna is a dangerous outside shooter, crafty and athletic enough to get by defenders and plenty strong to score at the rack. Becoming even quicker from side to side and down the floor will help further his stock. Luna will have his hands full at Timber Creek, but he was sound as a junior and I expect him to carry his team night in and night out this fall in his final high school season.
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