E1T1 Invitational: Saturday Standouts

I made it over to the Big House complex in Tavares for the annual E1T1 Invitational this past weekend. Taking in a full day of games on Saturday, I saw a ton of talent in place and teams along the way. Here is a look at the standouts I watched from the Saturday slate. Ernest Udeh Ernest Udeh 6'10" | C Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #220 Nation FL - 6-10 - Dr. Phillips/Southeast Elite Udeh has been in the gym. That was evident from the very first play against Team Durant. Already a standout defensively and core rebounder, his offensive game has expanded since his Dr. Phillips squad won the Class 7A state title in early March. He backed down defenders with his post moves and earn a slew of trips to the free throw line to finish with 20 points. Udeh earned an offer from Temple on Monday to add to his long list. Expect plenty more to come. Asa Newell Asa Newell 6'8" | PF Choctaw | 2024 State FL - 6-8 - Choctaw/1Family Choctaw has one of the top young talents in the state in Newell. Recently ranked No. 10 in our very first 2024 Florida rankings, his stock is on the rise. Newell dropped 26 points in a win over the Southern Kings later in the day. He is a fluid shooter with a ton of length and his confidence as a ballhandler is impressive. A wing with a ton of room to fill out his body, Newell is well on his way. He earned his very first offer from Oklahoma State last Tuesday. Dariq Whitehead Dariq Whitehead 6'5" | SF Montverde Academy | 2022 State #9 Nation FL & Rodney Rice Rodney Rice 6'3" | CG DeMatha | 2022 State #125 Nation MD - Team Durant Watching Team Durant 2022 was an absolute pleasure. This team was as deep as can be. 2022 6-6 Montverde guard Dariq Whitehead Dariq Whitehead 6'5" | SF Montverde Academy | 2022 State #9 Nation FL was flat out explosive in transition on the afternoon. When he comes downhill, there isn’t much you can do to stop him. He’s basically a tall running back out there. Whitehead plays hard and with a purpose. 2022 6-3 Maryland DeMatha Catholic guard Rodney Rice Rodney Rice 6'3" | CG DeMatha | 2022 State #125 Nation MD was equally as impressive with his gamer ability. He can flat out shoot it and his quick handles hurt defenders often. He dropped 23 points in the clash with Southeast Elite. This duo is high major no doubt. Amen Thompson Amen Thompson 6'5" | SG Pine Crest | 2022 State #40 Nation FL & Ausar Thompson Ausar Thompson 6'5" | SG Pine Crest | 2022 State #42 Nation FL - Florida Pro Twin power was on display as Amen and Ausar flat out stole the show in a 2-point loss to Team Durant. They brought Florida Pro back from a near double digit deficit with under a minute left. There is no quit in this 2022 6-6 Pine Crest duo. Fluid and athletic attackers, the Thompson twins are interchangeable and can hurt you as mid-range shooters and creators as well. There isn’t much they can’t do and it is a joy to watch. AJ Brown AJ Brown 6'4" | CG Orlando Christian Prep | 2022 State #196 Nation FL & Dillon Mitchell Dillon Mitchell 6'7" | PF Bishop McLaughlin | 2022 State #217 Nation FL - E1T1 There is not much lacking in Brown’s game. The 6-4 Orlando Christian Prep was shooting with ease from the mid-range, getting in good spots on the attack and making his teammates better with quick feeds. Brown is a consistent double digit scoring threat. He earned offers from Temple, Iona and Georgia State over the last few days. Mitchell continues to improve his game. The 6-8 Bishop McLaughlin guard/forward is bursty, long and active. He scores in a variety of ways inside and is very crafty. Penn State and Georgia have both offered this month. Dallas Jones Dallas Jones 6'4" | CG The Rock | 2023 State FL , Ta’veon Jones Ta’veon Jones 5'6" | PG Central Florida Christian | 2024 State FL & Blaise Wallace Blaise Wallace 6'6" | PF Maclay | 2023 State FL - Judah Nation Judah Nation 2023 gave everything it had in an overtime loss to E1T1 United. Basically, everyone in the gym was watching this game. Before exiting with an injury, 6-5 guard Dallas Jones Dallas Jones 6'4" | CG The Rock | 2023 State FL from The Rock was solid as can be for Judah Nation, slashing and attacking. He is a confident leader. 2024 5-6 Central Florida Christian guard Ta’veon Jones Ta’veon Jones 5'6" | PG Central Florida Christian | 2024 State FL is one of the fastest and best ballhandlers I’ve seen in his class. He makes everyone around him better with his passing and push on the break. ...Hitting some clutch jumpers down the stretch, the best overall shooter for Judah Nation was Blaise Wallace Blaise Wallace 6'6" | PF Maclay | 2023 State FL . The 6-6 Maclay guard/forward is a tweener and a lengthy shooter who brings a ton of energy and poise to his group. Last but not least, 6-2 Florida High guard Thaddeus Burns Thaddeus Burns 6'2" | PG Florida High | 2023 State FL was on point with his quick jumpers and smart takes. He has a lot of upside. Camerin James Camerin James 6'5" | CG Leesburg | 2023 State FL & Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL - E1T1 E1T1 2023 has one of the deepest squads in the country. James and Allen are two blow up candidates. Starting with James, 6-5 Leesburg guard had a strong state tourney and picked up where he left off, leading E1T1 and scoring inside with his mix of speed and strength. James has an offer from SMU and his jumper is improving which is key. Allen, a 6-4 guard from Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian is one of the smartest point guards out there with his scoring prowess, passing ability and decision making. He is rarely rattled and always locked in. With offers from LSU, Virginia Tech and USF, there are many more to come for Allen. Dylan James Dylan James 6'8" | PF Winter Haven | 2023 State FL & Eduardo Placer Eduardo Placer 6'1" | CG Master's | 2023 State FL - 1Family 1Family has pieces in place on its 2023 squad. 6-8 forward Dylan James Dylan James 6'8" | PF Winter Haven | 2023 State FL from Winter Haven was active and a load inside with his length and inside feel. He is just scratching the surface but he is a true bonafide athlete. With an offer from Cleveland State, plenty more will come as he continues to expand his offensive game. Eduardo Placer Eduardo Placer 6'1" | CG Master's | 2023 State FL , a 6-5 guard from Oviedo Master’s is a gifted ballhandler, floor stretcher and shooter. UNF has offered and I expect him to gain some traction this summer. ...6-2 PK Yonge guard Greg Maxwell Greg Maxwell 6'2" | SG P.K. Yonge | 2023 State FL light up the scoreboard for 1Family with 3’s as he an active shooter and a gifted one at that. 2025 Names to know... In an early morning tilt, all cameras were on E1T1 and 2025 6-5 athletic standout Jameir Jones. He recorded 24 points in a win over New Orleans Elite. He is beyond athletic, lengthy and full of burst. His upside is endless and he certainly lived up to the hype. His AAU counterpart, 6-6 forward Treyvon Maddox is a name to remember. He can hurt you with his length and is very athletic. 2023 Leesburg guard Camerin James Camerin James 6'5" | CG Leesburg | 2023 State FL (@Camerinjames4) throws down the alley from @1wayvel. @reale1t1 #E1T1Invitational pic.twitter.com/MJ5pgwlF9n — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) April 17, 2021