The South Florida Draft
In this article:
It’s about that time of year again. I started doing a hypothetical player draft after last season. You can check out those picks by clicking here. You will notice a number of changes as players have moved around. Seniors are…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt’s about that time of year again.
I started doing a hypothetical player draft after last season. You can check out those picks by clicking here. You will notice a number of changes as players have moved around.
Seniors are omitted from this list. (returning players)
1 – Amen Thompson: Pine Crest
Thompson was slotted at No.7 overall after last season and hindsight points to that rating being too low. The truth is I saw Pine Crest play a lot more this season and he was fantastic. The 6-foot-6 point guard is a primary ball handler with ambidextrous skill attacking the basket. Thompson is nearly unstoppable when he is in motion due to his length and athleticism. This occurrence is true in transition or in halfcourt sets. He is a top 40 player in his class and a 4-star recruit.
2 – Ausar Thompson: Pine Crest
I have been concrete in my opinion that the Thompson twins are the two best players in South Florida. As I’ve said in the past, the volume of their playmaking ability is extremely high at this level. All you have to do is watch them play and see how natural the game comes to them. That high skill combines with their level of chemistry as brothers. The Panthers 21-1 overall record and Class 4A state adds assertion to my claim.
3 – Jaylen Carey Jaylen Carey 6'8" | PF Westminster Academy | 2023 State #129 Nation FL : Westminster Academy
Carey is in better overall shape than ever before and stands at 6-foot-10. Looking past his clear physical transformation, he has become a better shooter outside of the paint. I saw him knock down a steady dose of 3-pointers throughout this season. I think his game extended from the rim will make him a nightmare to defend moving forward. His natural size and improved footwork already makes him a highly efficient scorer around the low block. He is simply too strong for the everyday frontcourt player. Carey’s untapped potential would rival any player in Florida. High majors should be knocking at his door.
4 – Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL : Calvary Christian Academy
Allen will benefit the most from the competitive national schedule the Eagles faced this season. The college level competition should have him battle tested and prove to be a litmus test of what he will see in the future. The 6-foot-4 guard has all the psychical tools and athleticism you would want at the position. Moreover, he has a very strong frame at his age. Allen averaged 13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and three assists on 38 percent shooting from the field this season. I think you will see his shooting splits get much better into his junior year. His potential is very high and he is already a 4-star recruit.
5: Taylor Hendricks Taylor Hendricks 6'9" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #124 Nation FL : Calvary Christian Academy
The University of Central Florida got a big boost when Hendricks and his brother committed to the school a few days ago. As I’ve said in the past, the 6-foot-9 power forward has 4-star potential in my mind. Hendricks currently ranks as a 3-star recruit by most services. I really like his mid-range and outside shooting efficiency for a player of his size. Hendricks is lethal in the open court and will punish opponents off alley-oops due to his athleticism and awareness. Those are all very good qualities for a frontline player. His versatility is where I see him with an edge over other power forwards. Moreover, he is a good rebounder due to his length and can block shots at a high rate. I think his post skills will only improve as he gets stronger. This will naturally occur as he gets closer to college.
6 – Marcus Allen Marcus Allen 6'4" | SF West Orange | 2021 State FL : Miami Norland
The Florida State offer Allen received really got my attention. As we have seen in the past, the Seminoles seem to recruit a ton of long and athletic playmakers to Tallahassee. The most recent example would be Scottie Barnes. While I am not comparing the two, Allen’s college interest is something to watch at this stage. The 6-foot-6 wing averaged 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds on 50 percent shooting from the field this season. He helped the Vikings to a 19-9 overall record and a spot in the Class 5A regional final as a freshman. I am leaning on his progression/projection at this spot.
7 – Gregg Glenn Gregg Glenn 6'7" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #161 Nation FL : Calvary Christian Academy
Glenn is a 4-star recruit and currently receiving warm interest from Michigan. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 13.8 and 6.6 rebounds for the Class 3A state champions this season. I just want to see him define his skill more at the three. I think their is a lot more potential in his tank. Expectations should be high when you have a possible future at Ann Arbor. A head coach like Juwan Howard would certainly get the best out of him. Glenn does play with a high motor and doesn’t need to score to be effective.
8 – Aidan Abell Aidan Abell 6'6" | SG Westminster Academy | 2022 State FL – Westminster Academy
2022 Aidal Abell is a pure shooter that can create his own magic on the floor. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard averaged 15.1 points, seven rebounds and four assists this season. Moreover, Abell shot 80 percent from the free-throw line and 47 percent from behind the arc. Those are tremendous numbers at the two spot. Just watch his extension going from his right or left and you will see why he is currently a 3-star recruit. Abell can also put the ball on the floor and power his way above the rim for a basket. He got significantly better after last summer and I expect the same in 2021. Keep in mind Covid-19 was a cloud for many of these players for the entire season. A regular routine will only spike his recruitment.
9: Ben Middlebrooks – Westminster Academy
Middlebrooks is a strong stretch-four that averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks per game this season. His first-step athleticism away from the rim gives him an advantage over a defender of similar size. Middlebrooks can explode from there and finish at the glass. Get him on a switch against a smaller defender in the post and it’s goodnight. Middlebrooks is too strong at that point and will finish or draw a contact foul. I also thought his defensive rebounding was particularly strong. Opponents did not get extra possessions when Middlebrooks was in the paint. I think his basketball IQ is a cut above at this level. He is a 3-star recruit by most ranking systems. He will be a well-rounded addition to any program who lands him.
10: Jimel Lane Jimel Lane 6'7" | PF Palmetto | 2022 State FL – Mater Academy Charter
Lane had a great season for the Lions and still feels underrated in terms of college interest. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 19.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game this season. He was instrumental in helping Mater Academy Charter to the Class 6A final. Lane is highly athletic and was a frequent resident above the rim. I think you saw his skill level shine when he faced Calvary Christian Academy. He was my postseason Miami-Dade MVP so he deserves a spot in my rankings.
10B: Jasai Miles Jasai Miles 6'5" | CG Miami Country Day | 2023 State #241 Nation FL – Miami County Day
Call this a wildcard selection or whatever you want. I had Miles as one of the best underclassmen in the county for a reason. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard averaged 19.8 points and 7.9 rebounds on 41 percent shooting from the field this season. I just want his percentage be a bit higher as a junior. However, his athleticism and length is what I would want coming out of the backcourt. The Spartans did reach the Class 3A semifinal, so there 12-10 overall record might be a little misleading. Although, I want to see Miles take command and lead the Spartans to a better overall mark next season. Hopefully the end result will be a state title.
For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information…please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.