Top South Florida performers: JUCO
L.J. Figueroa, Odessa
Oldsmar Christian head coach Alex Arias, instrumental in nurturing the development Figueroa, once likened the high-scoring 6-foot-5 guard to Dominican wunderkind Luis Montero.
Montero, a 6-foot-8 guard who now plays in the NBA, prospered on a prominent Westchester Community College (N.Y.) program which quickly collapsed under a sordid fraudulent transcript scandal. The similarities are certainly evident.
Like Montero before him, Figueroa is a long and versatile offensive threat. Both players share an adeptness at finishing in the open court and scoring at all three levels. Both players have the length and confrontational style to be underrated on-ball defenders.
Figueroa, who starred at Oldsmar and West Oaks, is putting up astonishing numbers at Odessa. Averaging 19.6 points, Figueroa is one of the country’s most efficient offensive threats with a gaudy 63 percent field goal percentage. He’s shooting 51 percent from beyond the arc.
During a recent 84-74 win over Odessa College, Figueroa scored 28 points (10-for-15 FG, 4-for-7 3FG), pulled down 12 rebounds and handed out three assists. During a 91-55 throttling of Wayland Baptist, Figueroa scored 20 points and shot the rock at a scintillating 10-for-11 clip.
Sandro Noel, Georgia Highlands
The bullish 6-foot-7 Miami product, who played at now defunct Elev8 Prep Academy in Delray Beach, Fla., scored a season-best 18 points (7-of-12 FG) during an 89-85 loss to Gadsten State.
The key draw of Noel’s game is he can guard multiple positions and play a multi-dimensional role. A big body in the paint, Noel is a sturdy rebounding presence and can certainly defend taller forwards upfront. His versatility and explosive athleticism make the former McArthur star a Division-I prospect.
Nathanael Jack, Eastern Florida
The former sharpshooting guard at Miami Calusa Prep, Jack has transitioned seamlessly in his freshman season at a highly-competitive Eastern Florida program. The team recently posted a signature win over Florida Southwestern, with Jack scoring 11 points (on the strength of five 3-pointers) in the 86-82 win.
Learning under Miami player development ace Derrick De La Grana, a pitbull guard at Florida Christian in his heyday, Jack has become notably tougher while adapting to the rigors of this level of play. As a 6-foot-5 kick-out presence, Jack is currently averaging 12 points and shooting 47 percent from beyond the arc.
Eastern is now 15-1, with signature victories over traditionally potent in-state foes Chipola and the aforementioned Florida Southwestern. Their lone loss came at the hands of national power Vincennes.