#PHCircuit Proving Grounds All-Tournament Teams – 17U
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Winter Haven, Florida was filled with boatloads of talent making their way to the AdventHealth Fieldhouse to compete in Prep Hoops’ The Proving Grounds, a tournament where Florida and the rest of the U.S.’s best lined up to strut their…
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Continue ReadingWinter Haven, Florida was filled with boatloads of talent making their way to the AdventHealth Fieldhouse to compete in Prep Hoops’ The Proving Grounds, a tournament where Florida and the rest of the U.S.’s best lined up to strut their stuff. Some of Florida’s top 17U standouts played their hearts out, but only 10 will make the two Proving Grounds All-Tournament teams. Choosing these teams is never easy, but these standouts all made an impact in a big way during their games. So, let’s get to it.
Here are the Proving Grounds All-Tournament Teams:
ALL TOURNAMENT FIRST TEAM
MVP: Sherod Dent Jr. Sherod Dent Jr. 6'6" | PF Chicago Curie | 2023 State IL Jr., Hoops 4 Health
The fact that Dent was an easy choice for MVP of the 17U division doesn’t come as a surprise, but learning that this young man is a 2023 playing up is one that definitely will grab your attention. At 6’6″, Dent has incredible size for a small forward, and has a ton of skill to throw into the mix. He can big body you in the post or kill you from outside, giving him a wide variety of tools for his bag. Dent’s Hoops4Health squad went 4-0 in the tournament’s toughest bracket, and for that reason Dent earned this honor!
Muhammed Mbye, MVA Outlawz
The Atlantic Cape Community College commit was a standout prospect all weekend. He led MVA Outlawz to a 4-0 finish, all fueled by his size and strength mixed with his incredible skillset. The 6’5″ big man can hurt you with his jumper, (he knocked down a big 3 ball to clutch their first win of the weekend) and can even dribble the ball enough to kill you going downhill. Mbye was an intriguing prospect who will thrive in a JUCO setting next year.
Dwayne Wimbley Jr., The High
The High’s coach told me this weekend that I need to keep an eye out on Miami High because they are going to win a State Championship this year. With their 4-0 finish at the Proving Grounds, I don’t doubt that he could be telling the truth! Wimbley was their standout for most of the weekend. He has a physical edge with his incredible length and scoring ability and will be a guy to watch this season.
Kamron Oriol, Dream Nation
Oriol put on a scoring clinic all weekend for his 3-1 Dream Nation squad. Oriol scored 26 and 18 in the two outings I watched of his, and averaged over 20 PPG throughout the tournament. His basketball instinct is high level and he can hurt you at all 3 levels with ease. He’s a guy to watch next season as he preps for his senior year.
Johuan Myles, South Florida Elite
Myles led the 3-1 South Florida Elite with his pure confidence and ball handling ability. He was unafraid to pull up from anywhere within the half court and seemed to make it more than he missed it. He could get by your defense with his fancy ball handling and he was an absolute threat on the offensive end of the ball.
ALL TOURNAMENT SECOND TEAM
Aaron Barton Aaron Barton 6'1" | SG Southeast | 2023 FL , Blacktop Basketball
Barton had the tournament of the weekend, giving him a real chance at earning an All First Team nod. His team’s 0-4 struggles relegate him to second team, but overall he had one of the better performances of the weekend. He put up multiple 20 point games, including a 30 point game on Day 1. Barton can kill at all 3 levels. He is a crafty finisher who can really finish around the basket in all situations. He can shoot the ball well from distance and from the charity stripe, making him even more effective offensively. If he can keep it up, he’ll be an animal during this regular season.
Michael Cooper, Ball4Lyfe United
The butter-smooth guard has an uncanny ability to get downhill and finish on defenders. Cooper’s Ball4Lyfe went 2-2 in the tourney’s toughest bracket and Cooper was the driving force behind it. He ran the offense and was able to just go get a bucket whenever his team demanded one from him.
Tareeq Anderson, Palm Beach Flames
Anderson’s size and length really set him apart at the 5 spot for most of the tournament. He has a propensity for rebounding, a skill that he proved he could excel at while being put against some of Florida’s better big men. He can run the floor well and move like a guard, making him a good choice on fast breaks and creating easy offense for the Palm Beach Flames.
Karlo Colak Karlo Colak 6'5" | SG New Trier | 2022 State IL , Hoops4Health
Colak was a big time stock riser this weekend for anyone who gave him a good long look. He plays with intentionality and can get to his spots with ease, including getting set up for pro-move style mid-range jumpers. He can knock down the three ball and initiate the offense if he needs to. He’s a high-academic prospect who should grab the attention of a host of D3 schools as he continues his high school journey.
Jaquan Carswell Jaquan Carswell 6'1" | CG Springstead | 2022 State FL , Bay Area Elite
Carswell and Bay Area Elite had a great weekend, going 3-1 and playing some of the tournament’s tougher teams. While most of the Bay Area’s strength comes in their incredible teamwork, Carswell put up a noteworthy 16 points in their first game and put his offensive talents on display. He can score the ball well on the drive and can generate offense in a variety of ways.