2023 Rankings: Contenders (South Florida)
As I stated in my previous post, the 2023 class in South Florida is very deep. Seven prospects are ranked inside the top 25. Seventeen prospects are ranked inside the top 50. Who has the best chance of climbing the…
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Continue ReadingAs I stated in my previous post, the 2023 class in South Florida is very deep.
Seven prospects are ranked inside the top 25.
Seventeen prospects are ranked inside the top 50.
Who has the best chance of climbing the rankings and overtaking 4th-ranked Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL for the top spot in South Florida? Moreover, Allen is regarded as a top 40 prospect in the nation by most recruiting services. He holds offers from USF, Virginia Tech and LSU at the moment.
Here are some possible candidates…
Jaylen Carey Jaylen Carey 6'8" | PF Westminster Academy | 2023 State #129 Nation FL – Westminster Academy (PH. 17)
Carey is my first pick to reach the top of the mountain in South Florida. I just think he has the advantage in most of his 1-on-1 matchups on the floor. He is a 6-foot-8 (6’10’ roster) wrecking ball at the power forward spot. Carey’s 240 pound frame puts the power in forward. He has the footwork of a lighter player and can score away from the basket. Carey can already bruise his way into the post with his back to the basket and finish at a high rate. He is only going to get stronger from here and become a more well-rounded prospect. The best option may be to put him at the free-throw line in certain situations. Carey will be a double-double prospect as the main frontcourt option for the Lions next season.
Justin Johnson Justin Johnson 6'7" | PF Doral | 2023 #229 Nation FL – Doral Academy (PH. 9)
Johnson’s stock seems to be simmering with his first offer from Georgetown under his belt. The 6-foot-7 wing averaged 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game last season. Johnson also shot 47 percent from the field and 30 percent from the perimeter. All of those numbers add up to a well-rounded player. He simply has too much size and quickness for his matchup. Johnson is also in a program that is extremely well-coached under Jorge Fernandez. Fernandez has a college background and runs his practices with precision.
Carl Cherenfant Carl Cherenfant 6'4" | CG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #68 Nation FL – Calvary Christian Academy (PH. 6)
One of the benefits of playing at Calvary Christian Academy is you know the practices are going to be intense. The 6-foot-4 combo guard gets to play with Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL and a number of other D-1 prospects. Furthermore, the Eagles played a national schedule last season and will likely schedule one again in the fall. This is going to make every member of that roster a better player. Specifically, Cherenfant plays very well downhill and has the length to score at the rim. He will continue to polish his shooting skills under the watch of head coach Cilk McSweeney. Cherenfant averaged ten points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for the Class 3A state champions. He scored 47 points and shot 16-of-24 (66 percent) from the field over his final three games. I think those type of performances could fuel him into the off-season and onto his junior campaign. He holds offers from Western Kentucky and LSU.
Nate Sasser Nate Sasser 6'6" | SG Suncoast | 2023 State #207 Nation FL – Suncoast (PH. 10)
The Chargers should have plenty of spotlight on them next season with a talented group of prospects. As a matter of fact, they were probably a fun show to watch already. One of their stars is Nate Sasser Nate Sasser 6'6" | SG Suncoast | 2023 State #207 Nation FL . The 6-foot-6 shooting guard averaged 9.9 points and 4.6 rebounds on 48 percent shooting from the field last season. Moreover, he scored in double-figures in seven of 11 contests. I expect those numbers to skyrocket next season. Why? Sasser’s size and athleticism is elite at this level. He has enough ability to get to his spot on the floor and finish at a high rate. Sasser also has talented teammates in 2024’s Stone Bureau Stone Bureau 6'0" | PG Calvary Christian Academy, Ft. Lauderdale | 2024 State FL and Ian Smikle Ian Smikle 6'9" | C Suncoast | 2024 State FL . He could be the best player in Palm Beach County in short time.
Jasai Miles Jasai Miles 6'5" | CG Miami Country Day | 2023 State #241 Nation FL – Miami Country Day (PH. 18)
Miles should be the main guy now with the graduation of 2021 Jordan Cooke Jordan Cooke 6'0" | CG Miami Country Day | 2021 State FL . The 6-foot-5 guard already put up massive numbers last season while guiding the Spartans to the Class 3A final four. Miles averaged 19.8 points and 7.9 rebounds for Miami Country Day. Moreover, he shot 41 percent from field and 31 percent from the perimeter. His splits could be an area to improve on. However, I think he has plenty of upside we have yet to see.
Greg Spate Greg Spate 6'6" | PG West Oaks | 2023 State FL – Coral Springs (PH. 30)
You have a number of prospects underneath the top 25 threshold that have talent. I have named a few of them in the past. I am going to take Spate as someone you should watch at the very least. The 6-foot-5 guard/forward averaged 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Colts last season. I am going to lean on him becoming a better one/two guard. You have to like his size at the position as it currently stands. Spate is also likely to add more size in the weight room moving forward. Putting on more muscle should reflect into his development on the court. All of those factors point to a potential rise. Please view his highlights by clicking here.
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