Under-Recruited & Very Much Available (2019)
All over the country, we see players slip through the cracks. Whether it is simply because the player is on a bad team or college coaches haven’t made their way over to a game during high school season or the summer of travel ball, it happens.
With the summer coming to an end and players training hard for the season ahead, I take a look 10 players in the class of 2019 that are under appreciated and under recruited currently.
Credit T.J. Rushing over in Iowa with this story idea.
Here’s a list of 10 guys from the class of 2018 that are under appreciated (LINK).
Samuel Griffin (Westminster)
Earlier this summer Samuel Griffin made the move to Westminster from Norland. It is certainly a strong move considering the Lions won the Class 4A title a year ago and return 2018 guard Zach Scott, 2019 guard Chase Johnston and 2020 forward Dudley Blackwell. Griffin is a talented 6’2″ guard who has interest from the likes of FSU and Kansas State. No offers yet, but his speed and knockdown ability will help him pick one up soon.
Jordan Smith (Titusville)
It is a ton of fun watching Jordan Smith play basketball. Not only is he constantly smiling, but he is out there giving it his all. He has serious wheels that help him open up his offense and attack the basket more often than not. The 6’0″ Titusville guard had a huge summer with the Showtime Ballers. Smith is in line for a career season as a junior this fall.
Tyrell Jones (West Oaks)
This is a kid who is somehow flying under the radar. Coaches notice him, talk about him, but have yet to offer. Tyrell Jones is a 6’2″ guard who has really good separation in his game. He has the ability to fly by defenders, beat them off the dribble with a jumper and play tough defense. Jones excelled alongside Smith with the Showtime Ballers this summer. West Oaks will be a good spot for Jones to have a nice junior campaign.
Lance Erving (Leesburg)
Leesburg wouldn’t have won the Class 6A state championship without Lance Erving. The 6’0″ guard dropped 20 points in both the semifinal and final victories in route to a state title. He averaged 13.1 points per game and shot an impressive 55 percent from the field in the state tournament. Erving has no offers and no interest. That needs to change immediately.
Nathan Louis (Apopka)
Apopka is a young program and as the team matures so will Nathan Louis. The 6’2″ guard broke out of his shell a year ago for the Blue Darters. He routinely made key jumpers and recorded many double digit performances alongside 2018 guard Jai Clark. I expect Louis to have a more all around season for Apopka as he grows up further a junior.
Ben Lubarsky (Benjamin)
The summer treated Ben Lubarsky rather well. He spent his time with Ball4Lyfe United, a team filled with talented athletes from the Miami area. Lubarsky showcased his scoring by averaging a team-high 23.4 points per game. He opened his sophomore season by dropping 30 points in back to back games. The 6’5″ forward is a bruiser inside and has a nice mid-range jumper.
Johnnie Williams (Booker)
A kid of few words, Johnnie Williams has serious hops. He rises up for dunks often in games at his 6’3″ frame. He spent his summer with E1T1 United and played really well. Williams returns to a very athletic Booker group. He will have endless opportunities to earn offers. He has one offers currently from Southeastern Louisiana.
Phillip Russell (Lincoln)
Most of the interest Phillip Russell is drawing from Division II programs like the University of Tampa and Florida Southern. He’s a lengthy 6’5″ slasher who plays well with the ball in his hands. He has to get stronger at the point of attack to become an all around player, but right now he’s excelling as a pure scorer.
Zion Carter (Berkeley Prep)
The son of longtime NFL star defensive end Kevin Carter, Zion is starting to become more of an aggressor in the paint. A 6’5″, 215-pounder, Zion is a talented shooter and with more time spent in the paint, the more fouls he’ll draw and baskets he’ll make. His new coach Renaldo Garcia should be able to get the most out of him as a junior.
Tyrus Jackson (Sarasota Riverview)
Here is a kid who has been very solid for quite some time. Tyrus Jackson makes plays for Riverview and he had a nice summer with Nike Team Florida. At 6’4″, he can make 3’s with ease and he has a ton of leadership qualities. He’s very vocal and he can draw contact with his intense play.