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| Jim Haley's Rookie Sensations. |
| Posted, 10/24/2004 12:41:42 AM. | |
Let's set the record straight. There were plenty of eyes in the gym. Mine were just another pair watching these kids go at it.
Everyone has an opinion and I'll share mine. I started out the day trying to find good things in all of these kids game. However,
it was easy to see that some of these kids just don't have the skills that you would hope they would have by now. Here is my take on
the sophomores that stood out. Check out our list of the Top 15 Freshmen.
- A.J. Stewart - Arlington Country Day - 6'7".
The best player at the camp. No one was even close to A.J. He played hard, dunked the basketball, hit the open 3 pointer, and passed it around a bit. A.J. makes it all look easy. Watch this one, he'll go far.
- Marcel Williams - West Orange - 6'6".
Marcel was probably the best looking REAL post player at the camp. He gets the ball and is authoritative about taking it hard to the rim. This kid will not be denied. He'll make some noise this year for West Orange.
- Andy Summerlin - Mt. Dora - 6'4".
Andy was really impressive all day. A jumpshot here, a 3 pointer there, block a shot, steal the ball. His teammates made sure he touched the ball. Good things happened when Andy was involved.
- Watkins Williams - Brandon - 6'4".
My first note on Watkins was watch him again. He is a quality player and fun to watch. He is one of those players that has such a good game that he makes it look easy. One dimension of his game doesn't really standout over the other.
- Idell Bell - Kathleen - 6'2".
Idell has fun when he is playing. He enjoys attacking the basket, shooting a quick jumpshot or 3 pointer, passing off to an open player. We'll being hearing and reading more about Idell over the next 3 years. A solid overall game.
- Andrew Darst - Jesuit - 6'4".
It's nice to see players unselfish enough to pass the ball when others are open. Andrew shot the ball well all day with players in his face. He has great court vision and is an above average decisonmaker. I really enjoyed watching him play.
- Terrance Howell - Kathleen - 6'5".
I saw Terrance walking around the gym and he just had that look. A good build with his height I expected to see a player. Well, he showed himself to be a good player. Bottom line on Terrance, not only does he look like a basketball player, he is one.
- Willie Powers - PK Yonge - 6'4".
Willie gets better as the game gets longer. He finds the ball well and knows what needs to be done to get 2 points whether its a quick pass or a jumpshot. A good defensive game adds to his list of talent.
- Brian Frank - Buchholz - 5'10".
Brian was lucky enough to be teamed with Summerlin and Darst. However, Brian held his own and showed he could play. He caught on quickly and passed off when necessary and showed a nice outside jumpshot. A quality guard.
- Ian Scott - Mt. Dora - 6'2".
I hope the wording "blue collar" player doesn't upset him. But, it is a good description for Ian. Ian works hard all over the floor. Heck, he might even be the one on the floor. He makes his teammates better. Every team needs one of these kid. He will not be outhustled.
Other Sophomores Attending (in alphabetical order):
- Brian Alexander - Bradenton Southeast - 5'6". The kid can shoot the 3 whether guarded or not. Brian moves well in transition and can find the open man. Nice player.
- Andrew Baker - Vero Beach - 6'1". A good on the ball defender capable of hitting a mid range jumper or the occasional 3 pointer.
- Nick Balcer - Jensen Beach - 6'5". Athletic and still growing. Nick is able to put the ball on the floor and isn't shy about going to the basket. His mid-range shot continues to improve.
- Mike Bedford - Leesburg - 5'10". Mike has a nice game about him. He works hard on both ends of the floor. He will outwork his defender and the person he is defending. A good jump shot doesn't hurt either.
- Rod Bombard - Edgewater - 5'10". The kid will take the open shot so you have to defend him. He is quick to get his shot off. A good jump shot rounds out this good decision maker.
- Myck Brown - P.K. Yonge - 6'4". Myck knows exactly what he wants do when he catches the ball. It could be a quick spot-up jump shot, a drive to the lane, attack the paint, or attack the rim. Good player.
- Todd Brown - Williston - 5'6". Todd has great court awareness. His quickness and speed add another dimension to his game. A great hustler.
- Brandon Caputo - Edgewater - 6'4". Brandon is an athletic kid that is active on both sides of the ball. He will challenge the offensive player and a defense needs to worry about him.
- Claude Davis - Lake Gibson - 6'4". Claude has a strong wil about him. He is not shy and will do what it takes to score and defend the opposition.
- Matt Dziagwa - Tampa Catholic - 6'. A good defender that saw limited touches offensively. I really need a second look at this kid to make a better judgement.
- Andrew Grossman - Tallahassee-Lincoln - 6'4". Andrew shows some potential. A player that defends well and shows promise on the offense side of the ball.
- Jerry Howard - Jones - 6'5". Jerry is another player not shy in the post or starting from about 15 feet and heading toward the basket. Jerry has good size. It can only his game to get better.
- Paul Hutchins - Buchholtz - 5'11". Paul shows signs of being a quality player. He will look for the open player on offense and doesn't mind giving the ball up. A good team player.
- Christian Jones - Bay - 5'9". Chirstian has some quick feet defensively that enables him to turn the offensive player. He reacts well in the open court with the pass or shot.
- Joshua Jones - Trinity Catholic - 6'5". Josh started playing hard late in the day. He really wants to attack the basket. But, he doesn't mind taking a jump shot from the free throw line.
- Scott Labelle - Leesburg - 6'4". Scott is a hustle kind of kid. He looks good on both sides of the ball. He looks most confortable attacking the basket.
- Jared Mabry - Tallahassee-Lincoln - 6'1". Jared takes good care of the ball. Lots of kids can dribble but Jared is a ball handler. Good court vision adds to his game.
- Sean Mahoney - Oviedo - 5'11". Sean contributes on the offense and defense side in subtle ways. He is the type of player that doesn't get a lot of press but plays hard and makes a difference for his team.
- Nate Marshall - Edgewater - 5'11". Nate takes good care of the ball. He plays well in the half court and has a pass first attitude that impressed me. He runs the floor well and isn't afraid to score when needed.
- Dave Minaya - Brandon - 6'3". A good ball player capable of stepping up when the time is right. He rebounds well and does the little things like boxing out on offense and defense that coaches like.
- Andre Mitchell - Lake Region - 6'6". Andre is a good looking kid with a nice touch for rebounding the basketball. He has a nice touch with his mid range jumper.
- Armand Moore - Jones - 5'10". Armand moves well without the ball and will hit the open shot. So, you have to guard him. His decision making will continue to get better with game time situations. Good looking ball player.
- Walter Perkins - Tampa Prep - 6'4". Walter is just as happy to take it to the basket as shoot the open jumpshot. A nice looking all around player.
- Tavaris Reynolds - Columbia - 5'9". Tavaris has a quick first step that a defender needs to respect. He'll go right around you. A quick release shot makes him tougher to guard. He showed some good point guard qualities with his passing as well.
- Carl Richardson - Ft. Walton Beach - 6'4". Carl likes to get up and down the floor. He moves very well. He has some decent post moves for his size and his defense looks good.
- Matt Sheperd - Leesburg - 6'1". Matt has an unorthodox shot that finds a way to go in. You can't deny him the right to shoot the basketball if he scores. A lefty, helps to make him a bit more difficult to guard, that will always contribute.
- Tyler Tieder - Glades Day - 5'11". Tyler is quick in the half court and will get his share of points. He handles the ball well and shows good court vision.
- Fabian Wilson - Jefferson County - 6'5". The post is something not foreign to Fabian. You cannot let him catch the ball below the free throw line. He'll attack the basket.
- Matt Wise - Buchholz - 6'4". You watch kids like Matt and appreciate their game. He is a solid rebounder on bothends of the floor and can hit the midrange jump shot when necessary.
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