Best Court Athletes: South Florida
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Who are the best athletes on the hardwood? I’m taking about pure athleticism and not basketball skill. Obviously, these kids can play some ball as well. I came across a pretty cool example of non-basketball professional athletes participating in a…
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Continue ReadingWho are the best athletes on the hardwood?
I’m taking about pure athleticism and not basketball skill. Obviously, these kids can play some ball as well.
I came across a pretty cool example of non-basketball professional athletes participating in a slam dunk contest. It’s related because there are some people who just have a god-given gift. And it happens to be pretty cool to see.
The following prospects jump off the screen when making a big play. It might be wise to get out the way when they are coming down the lane.
Jaquan Adams – Stranahan
2022 Jaquan Adams has an extra gear and finesse when driving towards the basket. The 6-foot-2 guard has great body control when elevating at the rim. He can finish in stride and shield his defender on the attack. Nicknamed “Miami”, Adams flashes in the open court and is only getting better as a basketball player. He is comparable to former Stranahan guard Dave Herard. You might remember Herard dunking on former U-School star Jett Howard Jett Howard 6'5" | SG IMG Academy | 2022 State #64 Nation FL a few seasons ago. He is now a defensive back at Virginia. Adams has that type of ability to get you out of your seat.
Kareem Barnett Kareem Barnett 6'2" | CG Hallandale Highschool | 2022 State FL – Hallandale
One of the first practices I went too was when 2022 Kareem Barnett Kareem Barnett 6'2" | CG Hallandale Highschool | 2022 State FL was with Mater Lakes Academy. On one drill, Barnett was flying up and down the court. He was moving like a 6-footer and he’s 6-foot-4. Therefore, he has an advantage in the open court given his size and length. His former coach, Lance Tejada Sr., told me to just watch him. Well, I watched and Barnett is box office.
Taylor Hendricks Taylor Hendricks 6'9" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #124 Nation FL – Calvary Christian Academy
2022 forward Taylor Hendricks Taylor Hendricks 6'9" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #124 Nation FL is a great basketball player and very athletic. Just watch how he runs the floor without the ball at 6-foot-9 and you will see what I mean. Hendricks can finish in transition and is a force off lob passes from teammates. If you fail to box him out in any situation, Hendricks will get up and throw down a dunk. On defense, he is a candidate for ten rebounds and multiple blocked shots on any night. Hendricks’ length and smooth movement is fun to watch. The 4-star prospect is committed to UCF.
Kyle McNeal Kyle McNeal 6'1" | PG Dwyer | 2023 #297 Nation FL – Dwyer
2022
Kyle McNeal
Kyle
McNeal
6'1" | PG
Dwyer | 2023
#297
Nation
FL
is one of the best athletes in Palm Beach County. Watch out if the 6-foot-2 guard is coming down the lane. You’ve been warned. McNeal is an incredible leaper and Youtube highlight. He holds an offer as a wide receiver/defensive back from Florida Atlantic. McNeal will have Dwyer in contention once again in a few months.
Rickey Ballard Rickey Ballard 6'6" | CG Westminster | 2022 State FL – Westminster Academy
Much like the others, Ballard is a bullet on the floor for Westminster Academy. The wing prospect moves well with or without the ball in the halfcourt and will slip by you off cuts to the rim. At that point, Ballard has an open look for a dunk on the baseline. He has tremendous length, quickness, and awareness for a kid at 6-foot-7. He’s too fast for prototypical forwards and too big for standard guards. Ballard is a D-1 player with many offers under him.
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