The Grind Session’s Most Underrated: Florida Prospects
Keano Calderon, DME Academy
The Class of 2020 guard catalyzed DME during the program’s biggest Grind Session win of 2018.
The well-built, rugged guard scored a team-best 17 points, grabbed eight boards, and doled out three assists during the most recent Grind Session win. Calderon drilled a trio of treys, authoring proficiency in all components of his game.
At 6-foot-4 and 180 pounds, Calderon can play both guard positions and on the wing. In addition to spotting up and getting open looks for his shot, Calderon has been effective at knifing to the rim and scoring between a defender and the basket.
Assane Diouf, DME Academy
The hulking 7-foot-1 behemoth has grown tremendously since displaying spurts of promise during the All American Jamboree in Apopka back in October.
A shotblocker with an adeptness at manipulating and changing the trajectory of shots within the confines of the paint, Diouf has added polish to a once rough around the edges game.
While Diouf is still a bit raw offensively, he’s grasped the niceties of how to use his body to his advantage. The result has been efficient scoring and the mountain man’s knack for finishing with authority.
A recent rankings update by Florida Hoops placed Diouf in the top-20 of state wide prospects.
Diouf has been a beneficiary of DME’s ramped up strength of schedule in 2017-18. He went up against a number of highly touted bigs, including guys signed with Utah and Towson.
He certainly wasn’t playing against a bunch of wannabes this year, embarking on a traditionally tough SIAA and Grind Session journey which cross crosses the country.
Mayoum Mayoum, DME Academy
Bouncy and fearless at going to the rack, the sophomore has given DME a significant offensive jolt.
The oft-attacking 6-foot-4 guard scored 16 points (on a scalding 6-for-7 clip), grabbed eight rebounds, doled out three assists, and also pick-pocketed three steals in a recent win. DME has ripped off 10 of its last 13, a major turnaround from a dismal and dungeon dwelling season last year.
Madiaw Niang, DME Academy
The 6-foot-8, 205-pound guard forward has improved incrementally as a game changer.
Heading into the season it was clear DME had to create a niche for Niang, he of the length and multi-positional acumen.
Niang has gotten much more active on the glass and can guard virtually every position on the floor. A smooth finisher with a feathery 18-foot shot he can extend beyond the arc, Niang might be the most acclaimed recruit in the program.
Stetson, Coastal Carolina, Wyoming, Florida International, Nicholls State, and others have offered. UMass, Murray State, and Richmond have expressed interest.
Marcellus Freeman, NTSI Orlando
Thriving during the stretch run of his post graduate season, the hot shooting 6-foot-3 guard has been a reliable piece for the first year program.
A recent 33-point performance, in which he netted seven 3-points, solidified Freeman’s status as one of the area’s most underrated.
Nikita Kalin, NTSI Orlando
A deft 3-point shooter, Kalin brings poise and a monstrous work ethic.
A post graduate guard out of Ukraine, Kalin displayed promise during a recent 22-point performance.
Making the weight room a livelihood has enabled Kalin to develop into a more confrontational defender.
Mikail Woods, TLAP Academy
The quick and feisty 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard has established a niche for himself as a lockdown, in-your-chest defender.
Woods’ tight, crafty handle has been instrumental in his poised facilitating.
Chris King, TLAP Academy
While King’s true identity is that of a knockdown shooter, you can’t pigeonhole him as strictly a shooter.
King’s game defies the stereotypes associated with shooters, as he possess an all around offensive skill set and a knack for hustle points.
He is consistently pursuing 50-50 balls and applies high pressure defensive tactics as well.
Mahmoud Youssef, TLAP Academy
The 6-foot-3 guard has a deft handle and growing offensive game. He’s expanded with his driving game and knack for getting to the rim and finishing through the teeth of the defense.
Heady guard plays with a savvy and a swagger. These factors enabled him to play for the FIBA U-18 Egypt national team.
Jimmy Beane, Potter’s House
Smooth and bullish 6-foot-5 guard possesses superior scoring at all three levels.
While Beane is likely headed for the JUCO route, the big guard has the athleticism and physical make-up to handle the rigors of competitive Division-I basketball.