Noble Notables, Central and South Florida
In this article:
Dante Moses, Inlet Grove
The super-athletic wing possesses length, grit, efficiency, and a knack for scoring the ball at all three levels. While he’s entertaining Division-I interest, many regard Moses as an underrated product on the recruiting market.
The 6-foot-5 Moses has the type of build and instinctive toughness that’s translatable to high level play on the next level.
While his shot could use some work, he’s proficient in all facets of his game. Moses has a hard finishing game and a motor, key attributes which make him appealing to coaches at the next level. He’s carried the team, scoring wise, and shown a clutch gene during critical moments throughout this season.
A.J. Neal, West Oaks Academy
The son of West Oaks assistant coach and reputable area AAU coach Diane Neal, the 5-foot-10 guard has a scoring engine and a knack for the right play. He’s had to grow up pretty fast in the SIAA, garnering meaningful varsity minutes as a middle schooler and being thrown into some high pressure moments early on in his career.
This past season, Neal displayed a deft 3-point touch and an on-ball presence. With West Oaks losing a significant layer of backcourt scoring with P.J. Person and Tyriek Blakeney graduating in June, expect Neal to be thrust into a prominent role next season.
Bryan Greenlee, The Rock School
One year after playing a backup role to the high-motored Jamari Wheeler (now at Penn State) as an unknown and unsung sophomore, Greenlee thrived in his first opportunity to run the team. The Class of 2019 guard averaged 15.4 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.4 boards while registering his presence as a true and traditional playmaking point guard.
The 6-foot-1 guard’s emergence into a heady player with the ability to make his teammates better out there was quite timely for The Rock school.
The program quickly bid adieu to 6-foot-8 poster boy and LSU-signee Darius Days, who transferred to IMG Academy right before the beginning of the academic year.
Greenlee authored a quick-hit impact, pioneering Justin Harden’s team as a mature and vocal presence. Anticipate a bigger role and all-state recognition from Greenlee next season, now the face of the defending SIAA champions.
Ty Hands, Palm Beach Lakes
It was a milestone year for Hands, who eclipse the 1,000-point mark this past season. The seasoned 6-foot-5 off guard averaged 14.7 points and 5.6 boards as a senior. A vertically explosive athlete, Hands is most effective off the drive and in the transition attack.
He’s been known to knife into the teeth of defenses and finish in monstrous style. He’s got the type of vertically explosive game that’s highly sought after at this level of play.
Hands improved drastically this past season, as his jumper and 3-point game went from a work in progress to a key component of his game. You would be hard-pressed to find a better open court finisher throughout Palm Beach County.
Kevin Zhang, Montverde Academy
The 6-foot-9 forward is a unique, versatile threat who handles and dishes the ball exceptionally well for his size. Crafty and tactical, Zhang also has a wide ranging offensive game undeerscored by a deft perimeter stroke. As Zhang proved against IMG Academy, he can defend, finish above the rim, and knock down deep jumpers.
He has offers on the table from DePaul and UCLA.
Zhang must put emphasis on enhancing his toughness. Currently, he’s got European guard skills. As he gets acclimated to high major caliber level of basketball, he’ll need to be more aggressive on the glass and as a rim protectors. Skill set wise and IQ wise, he’s got all the necessary tools.
Mike Moore, Monteverde Academy
The Fort Lauderdale native and 6-foot-1 post grad guard is a knockdown shooter and elite level scorer. Playing a Top10 national schedule at Montverde this past season should have solidified Moore’s Division-I status. The undecided Class of 2018 prospect was a consistent double digit scorer and helped catalyze a post grad team with several high major players such as Darnell Brodie (Seton Hall), Josh Roberts (St. John’s), and Jermaine Cousinard (South Carolina). Moore has the skill-set and scoring aptitude to be a steal at a mid major program.
Julian Newman, Downey Christian
The battle-tested veteran sophomore has scored more points in his career than any active player in high school basketball. This past season, Newman developed and showcased NBA 3-point range. He was tasked with dissecting his fair share of junk defenses.
While Newman is still fully capable of erupting for a 38-spot here and there, he’s evolved into a deft passer. At 5-foot-8, Newman is most likely going to be groomed as a point guard at the ensuing level.
Downey’s revamped roster, one rife with pivotal new pieces, has been key in furthering Newman’s development. It has simultaneously increased Downey’s strength of schedule beyond the guard-rich SIAA. Newman’s freedom to play off the ball more was a major factor propelling his growth this season.
Keyshawn Embery, IMG Academy
The 6-foot-3 Arkansas-signee is smooth, tactical, and shown he can consistently guide an offense. He’s got the advanced level IQ working in his favor, a factor which truly enables him to pick apart a defense.
A highly effective stop-and-pop shooter who can create space and get his shot off amid amplified defensive pressure, you can’t pigeonhole Embery as simply an offensive threat. In taking momentum-injecting charges and displaying active hands across all 94 feet, he rapidly emerged into a two-way threat this season.
Gyvicht Geneus, Palm Beach Central
The 6-foot-2 guard was the catalyst for PBC’s offensive engine, averaging a team-best 19.3 points and 8.0 boards for the Broncos.
A 30-point, 16-rebound performance against Leonard is indicative of the all around skill set Geneus brought to the program. Though he’s only 6-2, he often played way bigger. That was evident as he barreled into the lane, soared in for putback buckets, and caromed rebounds over significantly bigger rim protectors.
Zay Flowers, University School
While he’s a heavily recruited Division-I wide receiver, Flowers also made a name for himself on the basketball court.
The lesser known supplementary piece on a star spangled U-School team, Flowers had a solid 10-point performance against Mike Bibby’s Shadow Mountain (AZ.) program during the prestigious GEICO National tournament. The Class of 2019 guard brings a level of toughness and athleticism, providing a necessary spark off the bench.