Players To Watch By Class: 5A (Districts 9-16)
The FHSAA boys basketball season is just around the corner. The regular season tips off on Nov. 23. We will be looking at the top players to watch in all seven classes. Here is a peek at the top prospects…
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Continue ReadingThe FHSAA boys basketball season is just around the corner. The regular season tips off on Nov. 23.
We will be looking at the top players to watch in all seven classes.
Here is a peek at the top prospects to keep an eye on in Class 5A (Districts 9-16).
ICYMI
Players To Watch By Class: 7A (Districts 1-8) Players To Watch By Class: 7A (Districts 9-16) Players To Watch By Class: 6A (Districts 1-8) Players To Watch By Class: 6A (Districts 9-16) Players To Watch By Class: 5A (Districts 1-8)
2019-20 state champion: Rickards
Region 3 – District 9
Cedric Jackson Cedric Jackson 6'6" | PF Blake | 2021 State FL (Blake)
Blake will look different with its top two scorers now at Bishop McLaughlin, but there are athletes in place. Jackson, a 2021 6-6 forward has always been intriguing. He’s shown flashes and certainly has a chance to dig in deep this season. Fellow 2021 guard Javon Ashley Javon Ashley 6'3" | PF Blake | 2021 State FL , a 6-3 prospect will handle the rock plenty while 2023 5-9 guard Kyle Jefferson Kyle Jefferson 5'9" | PG Cambridge Christian | 2023 FL will set the tone and simply outrun teams.
Ryan Weir Ryan Weir 5'11" | SG Jesuit | 2021 State FL (Jesuit)
A high volume outside shooter, Weir will be tasked to do plenty of scoring for Jesuit this season. The 2021 6-0 guard averaged 13.5 PPG a year ago after serving a key role as a sophomore. He can burn you from deep in the blink of an eye.
Other names to know: 2022 F Mekai Patrick (Chamberlain), 2021 G Franklin Williams Franklin Williams 6'0" | CG Jefferson | 2021 State FL (Jefferson), 2023 G Russell Stroud Jr. Russell Stroud Jr. 5'8" | PG Jefferson | 2023 FL (Jefferson), 2021 G Kai Ravenna (Jesuit), 2021 G Daniel Rivera (Middleton), 2022 F Treyshawn Howard Treyshawn Howard 6'1" | SF Robinson | 2022 State FL (Robinson), 2021 G Tyrel Gray Tyrel Gray 5'10" | CG Robinson | 2021 State FL (Robinson), 2021 G Denim Johnson (Spoto) and 2023 F Benjamin Walker (Spoto).
Region 3 – District 10
Maleek Huggins Maleek Huggins 5'11" | CG Southeast | 2021 State FL (Southeast)
A dangerous playmaker, Huggins has the ball on a string and is always pushing the tempo for Southeast. The 2021 5-11 guard is a talented athlete with a nice shooting touch and the knack for a high IQ pass and stretch lay-in finish. He is surrounded by some steady talent in 2021 trio Ryan Petitefere Ryan Petitefere 6'3" | SF Southeast | 2021 State FL , Galen Washington Galen Washington 6'0" | SG Southeast | 2021 State FL and Keivon Johnson. 6-3 forward Petitefere is the undeheralded hero inside with his mid-range jumper and rebounding ability. Washington, a 6-0 guard is a nice option next to Huggins with his wheels and attack to the basket. Johnson is a 6-2 forward who is an energy guy and someone who will always fight for his points and boards.
AJ Wright AJ Wright 5'10" | CG Speights Academy | 2022 State FL & CJ Lee CJ Lee 6'2" | CG Clearwater | 2022 State FL (Clearwater)
Clearwater never backs down from the competition no matter who is on its side. 2022 duo Wright and Lee are best friends off the court but when the whistle blows it is all business. Wright, a 5-10 guard is in line for a big workload as the point man and he should flourish with his combination of smarts and wheels. Lee, a 6-1 guard is fresh off of a football season and is burstier and even stronger than last season. He flourishes as a finisher at the rim. Another steady performer here is 2021 6-2 forward Nelson Taylor Nelson Taylor 6'1" | SF Clearwater | 2021 State FL . He is a tenacious player who can take advantage of 1-on-1 matchups.
EJ Hubbert EJ Hubbert 6'2" | CG Countryside | 2021 State FL (Countryside)
The Countryside offense will run through Hubbert. The 2021 6-3 guard had a nice summer and is in really good shape and looks more locked in than ever. Expect him to score in bunches for a young bunch here. Fellow 2021 prospect Michael Blake Michael Blake 6'1" | CG Countryside | 2021 State FL stands at 6-1 and is always cleaning up the scraps inside as a rebounder and scorer. He is a skilled guard who will have many opportunities alongside Hubbert.
Other names to know: 2022 G Dylan Gorham Dylan Gorham 5'8" | PG Seminole Osceola | 2022 State FL (Osceola), 2023 F Reese White Reese White 6'6" | SF Boca Ciega | 2023 State FL (Osceola), 2021 G Nicolas Manzanera (Bayshore), 2021 G Cortez Goldsmith (Bayshore), 2022 G Rashad Hunt (Boca Ciega), 2024 G Nicholas Simes (Clearwater), 2022 G Mikey Mclaughlin Mikey Mclaughlin 6'2" | CG Clearwater | 2022 State FL (Clearwater), 2021 F Kenneth Green (Northeast), 2021 G Laquail Humphries (Northeast), 2021 F Alex Petitefere (Southeast) and 2022 G Malik Banks (Southeast)
Region 3 – District 11
Logan Rogers Logan Rogers 5'10" | SG Port Charlotte | 2021 State FL & Alex Perry Alex Perry 6'6" | CG Port Charlotte | 2022 State FL (Port Charlotte)
Port Charlotte always stays competitive. Rogers, a 2021 5-10 guard controls the flow of this offense as the point man. He averaged 12.7 PPG a season ago and will have every chance to top those numbers. Alongside him is Perry, a 2022 6-5 forward who is beyond athletic. Doubling as a football player, he is a long body with quick feet and a lot of strength and skill on the basketball floor. Perry holds an offer from Bethune Cookman and has the looks of a breakout candidate here in 2020.
Kdyn Waters Kdyn Waters 6'4" | CG Neosho | 2022 State FL (Mariner)
The talent is in place for a Mariner program that contends most seasons. Waters, a 2022 6-3 guard transferred in from Cape Coral. He will make an instant impact. Waters is a very talented playmaker, who leads by example and works well on both ends of the floor as a finisher and skilled defender. Next to him is 2021 6-3 forward Amari Martin Amari Martin 6'2" | SF Mariner | 2021 State FL who is the top returnee here. He is a versatile slasher.
Junior Sylvestre Junior Sylvestre 5'10" | CG Cypress Lake | 2021 State FL (Cypress Lake)
What Sylvestre accomplished as a junior certainly didn’t go unnoticed. He is a gamer who averaged 16.1 PPG and 12.1 RPG for Cypress Lake. The 2021 5-11 guard is simply an athlete who doesn’t shy away from contact and plays much bigger than his frame. Expect a nice senior year for Sylvestre. A nice guard next to him is 2021 5-9 prospect Ethan Keller Ethan Keller 5'9" | CG Estero | 2021 State FL . He is a sure ballhandler and a reliable touch shooter.
Devyn Bradwell Devyn Bradwell 5'10" | CG Ida Baker | 2021 State FL (Ida Baker)
Shooting at a high clip, Bradwell is back to lead Ida Baker again. The 2021 5-10 guard is a reliable knockdown shooter and scorer. He averaged 12.3 PPG and should continue to post similar numbers as a senior.
Other names to know: 2021 G Gerald Robinson (Port Charlotte), 2023 G Jahmari Johnson Jahmari Johnson 6'1" | SG Port Charlotte | 2023 FL (Port Charlotte), 2022 G Tyler Williams Tyler Williams 5'11" | CG Cape Coral | 2022 State FL (Cape Coral), 2021 F Alto Tarver (Cape Coral), 2021 F Calex Cadet (Cypress Lake), 2021 G Kaleb Ferreira (Cypress Lake) and 2021 G Karim Babernitch (Island Coast), 2021 G Preston Ebanks (Mariner) and 2021 F Derrick Purdy (Mariner).
Region 3 – District 12
Tony Green Tony Green 6'6" | CG Naples | 2021 State FL (Naples)
It was just a matter of time before Green figured out his true talent. He went from a passive player as a sophomore to an aggressor, slasher and pure bonafide scoring threat a season ago at Naples. The 2021 6-6 guard averaged 20.1 PPG and had double digits in all but two games which included four 30 point outings, topped by a 38-point night against Evangelical Christian. He is a worker on defense always looking for steals and blocks. Green holds an offer from Coppin State. He has help with quick guard play aside him in 2021 5-10 guard Byntley Theork Byntley Theork 5'10" | PG Naples | 2021 State FL (13.4 PPG in 2019-20) and rising talent 2023 6-0 guard Jonas Duclona Jonas Duclona 6'0" | PG Naples | 2023 FL .
Jeremiah Dervil Jeremiah Dervil 6'1" | CG Lely | 2021 State FL (Lely)
Dervil stood out all junior year long at a fast-paced Lely program. The 2021 6-3 guard doubles as a quarterback and safety for the football team where he has earned offers from the likes of USF, Tulane, Coastal Carolina, Iowa State, Virginia and Toledo. On the basketball court, he averaged 16.1 PPG last season and had a 40-ball. The kid can go and he will look to end his senior campaign with a bang.
Deon Pacouloute Deon Pacouloute 6'0" | CG Golden Gate | 2021 State FL & Andy Pacouloute Andy Pacouloute 6'0" | CG Golden Gate | 2021 State FL (Golden Gate)
The Pacouloute twins are consistent scorers for Golden Gate. Both standing at 6-3, Deon averaged 13.3 PPG while Andy averaged 11.5 PPG a season ago. The Pacouloute brothers will continue to lead this backcourt and control the tempo of games.
Kevin Charles Kevin Charles 6'4" | SF Immokalee | 2022 State FL (Immokalee)
Immokalee has a true raw talent in Charles. The 2022 6-4 guard has shown flashes of true play and will have the chance to come on strong this fall after averaging 11.5 PPG as a sophomore.
Wilson Welkenbach Wilson Welkenbach 5'11" | CG Barron Collier | 2021 State FL (Barron Collier)
A gamer at 5-10, Welkenbach has matured into a leader. The 2021 guard is a seasoned ballhandler and a very good shooter that Barron Collier will lean on this season.
Other names to know: 2021 F Jaheim Arnold Jaheim Arnold 6'4" | CG Barron Collier | 2021 State FL (Barron Collier), 2021 G Connor Mackay (Barron Collier), 2021 G Daniel French (Barron Collier), 2021 F Brian McGunn (Estero), 2021 G EJ English EJ English 6'2" | CG Estero | 2021 State FL (Estero), 2021 F Mathieu Garcon (Golden Gate), 2021 F Jaheem Cine (Golden Gate), 2021 G Hiram Delgado Hiram Delgado 5'10" | PG Immokalee | 2021 State FL (Immokalee), 2021 F Sergio Morancy Sergio Morancy 6'3" | CG Lely | 2021 State FL (Lely), 2021 G Schneider Natan (Lely), 2021 G/F James Cone James Cone 6'5" | CG Naples | 2021 State FL (Naples) and 2021 G Max Youmans (Naples)
Region 4 – District 13
Nate Sasser Nate Sasser 6'6" | SG Suncoast | 2023 State #207 Nation FL (Suncoast)
Suncoast earned one of the top transfers in the entire state in Sasser via Grandview Prep. The 6-6 guard is part of a deep 2023 class in the Sunshine State and his pure ability to score all over the floor is fun to watch. Playing alongside his former middle school teammate, 2024 6-0 guard Stone Bureau Stone Bureau 6'0" | PG Calvary Christian Academy, Ft. Lauderdale | 2024 State FL will do wonders for this offense in terms of speed and transition play. Add in 2024 forward Ian Smikle Ian Smikle 6'9" | C Suncoast | 2024 State FL and 2021 6-3 guard Evan Stinson Evan Stinson 6'3" | SF Suncoast | 2021 State FL and this group has a chance to be special this year and beyond.
Nelson St. Louis Nelson St. Louis 6'3" | CG Port St. Lucie | 2021 State FL (Port St. Lucie)
Playmaking is in the blood of St. Louis. He loves to hoop and thrives on both ends of the floor with his 6-4 frame and pure scoring prowess. The 2021 Port St. Lucie guard holds an offers from D’Youville, William Penn and Point Park and should garner more looks this fall as he leads his squad.
Jeremiah Denaud Jeremiah Denaud 6'1" | CG Jensen Beach | 2021 State FL (Jensen Beach)
A true combo guard who can handle the rock and dish it out, Denaud is back to end his solid varsity career with big games. The 2021 6-2 athlete is the top leader at Jensen Beach who averaged just over 11.0 PPG as a junior.
Other names to know: 2021 F Rowan Hanley (Okeechobee), 2021 G Carson Funk (Jensen Beach), 2022 F Mithely Kercy (Port St. Lucie), 2022 F Henry Peterson Henry Peterson 6'5" | SF Suncoast | 2022 State FL (Suncoast), 2021 G Ravon Stanberry Ravon Stanberry 6'3" | PF Westwood | 2021 State FL (Westwood), 2021 G Tommy Mitchell (Westwood) and 2021 G Chance Sands (Westwood).
Region 4 – District 14
Kolby King Kolby King 6'2" | PG Pembroke Pines | 2022 State FL & Elijah Wyche Elijah Wyche 6'4" | PF Pembroke Pines | 2022 State FL (Pembroke Pines Charter)
Pembroke Pines Charter made a deep run in the playoffs, falling to Rickards in the state championship in Lakeland. It will be a different look for this program, but a pair of 2022 standouts arrive in King (via Blanche Ely) and Wyche (via Cooper City) to join the talent in place. King, a 6-0 guard averaged just north of 10.0 PPG last season and should continue to improve. Wyche, a 6-3 forward averaged 12.9 PPG and 10.5 RPG and is a hard-nosed player who doesn’t shy away from contact. Surrounding the new guys are mainstays in 2022 5-11 guard Geoffrey Sprouse Geoffrey Sprouse 5'11" | CG Pines Charter | 2022 State FL , a quick-twitch playmaking scoring guard (10.9 PPG in 2019-20), 2021 6-6 forward Pete Laidley Pete Laidley 6'6" | PF Pembroke Pines | 2021 State FL (offers from Barry, Castleton and LaSalle) and 2021 5-10 guard Ismael Baqai Ismael Baqai 6'0" | PG Pines Charter | 2021 State FL who is one of the most unselfish and high IQ point guards you’ll find around.
Other names to know: 2022 G Caelum Ethridge Caelum Ethridge 6'3" | SG Pembroke Pines | 2022 State FL (Pembroke Pines Charter), 2021 F Stevenson Borgella (Plantation American Heritage), 2021 G Renato Ruiz (Plantation American Heritage), 2022 G Tyler Brant (Plantation American Heritage), 2021 G Hayden Brun (Archbishop McCarthy), 2021 G Dumitri William (Archbishop McCarthy), 2021 G Dave Dalge Dave Dalge 6'3" | CG Boyd Anderson | 2021 State FL (Boyd Anderson), 2022 F Jason Mark Jason Mark 6'3" | CG Coconut Creek | 2021 State FL (Coconut Creek) and 2021 F Kavanagh (Oakland Park Northeast).
Region 4 – District 15
Cameron Johnson Cameron Johnson 6'5" | SF Norland | 2022 State FL and Marcus Allen Marcus Allen 6'4" | SF West Orange | 2021 State FL (Norland)
Norland has a really good nucleus in place. The always productive program has Johnson as the top dog and some other really good pieces. Johnson is a 2022 6-4 forward who averaged 14.9 PPG and will take the next step forward in his progression with talent around him. Allen, a 2024 6-5 guard/forward is already a mature playmaker and a long body who will be a nice pairing with Johnson. He should be one of the top freshmen in the state. Two other prospects to keep a close eye on are: 2022 6-0 guard Adefemi Akinwole Adefemi Akinwole 6'0" | PG Miami Norland | 2022 State FL (offer from NAIA Walla Walla) who is speedy as they come and 2021 5-8 guard Malik Siggers Malik Siggers 6'0" | CG Norland | 2021 State FL , a player who flourishes out on the break.
Other names to know: 2021 F Woodhans Joseph (Miami Central), 2021 G Ritchlet Metayer (Miami Central), 2021 G Jordan Aflonso (Hialeah Miami Lakes) and 2021 F Allan Ramos (Mourning).
Region 4 – District 16
PJ Paulk PJ Paulk 6'3" | CG Northwestern | 2023 State FL (Miami Northwestern)
Miami Northwestern has a fun duo in Paulk and Harris. Paulk, a 2023 6-2 guard can flat out go. He produces defensively as a rock solid defender and on offense as a keen attacker and passer. Next to him is Harris, a 2021 6-4 forward who does the dirty work and does plenty to keep teams in check with his physicality.
Dominick Nelson Dominick Nelson 6'3" | SG Terra Environmental | 2021 State FL (TERRA Environmental)
A high volume scorer, Nelson averaged 17.6 PPG and 5.9 RPG last season at TERRA Environmental. The 2021 6-3 guard/forward has versatility as a long-armed defender and a playmaking point man. He had a 30-point game against Northwestern and should be locked in his senior year.
David Clark David Clark 5'11" | PG Killian | 2022 State FL (Killian)
Clark represents the next generation of talent at Killian. He got his feet wet last season as he averaged 11.5 PPG and made plays often. The 2022 6-0 guard will be tasked to be the alpha for this offense and we will see what he can do with that role.
Other names to know: 2021 F Danny Del Riesgo Danny Del Riesgo 6'5" | SF Belen Jesuit | 2021 State FL (Belen Jesuit), 2021 G Javier Villagra (Miami Jackson), 2022 F Alexander Mocha (Killian) and 2021 F Chris Morales (TERRA Environmental).