Source Hoops and The Hoop Exchange combined to put on the Travel Team Jamboree this weekend at The Big House in Tavares. Nearly all the top travel teams in the state and several that are on the rise participated. There are plenty of players to discuss, so let’s get to it.
Jeremy Innocent, South Florida Elite 17U: A 6’8 junior at Lake Worth High, Innocent has done a great job of expanding his game beyond the paint. He is a legit three-point threat, an improved passer and ball-handler, and scores on one and two-dribble drives from the high post and short corners. A grab and go rebounder, Innocent rebounds and finishes great in a crowd. He sprints the floor, challenges shots in the lane and has the lateral quickness to defend the perimeter.
Jordyn Buchanan, Judah Nation 17U: A 6’6 junior at Pensacola Booker T. Washington, Buchanan is the physical basketball prototype with strength, length, bounce, and burst. He is an exciting finisher on the break, gets to rebounds and quickly scores on putbacks, and is a very active defender with versatility. Buchanan surprised a bit with his ability to consistently make perimeter shots off the catch as well as the bounce.
Kalleal Jones, TNBA South 17U: A 6’3 junior from Dr. Phillips in Orlando, Jones is athletic and active. He is most effective on drives and in transition. He did a nice job of finding teammates on drives when his path to the basket was cut off. Jones hit a couple of threes off the catch and used his leaping ability to spear offensive rebounds and get some putback points. He did the smart thing of showing what he could do and not trying to do too much.
Sylvester Lewis, Tony Bradley Elite 17U: A 6’8 junior from Sebring, Lewis is slender but is a super-active insider. With his length and quick leaping ability, he blocked or changed several shots on the defensive end. Lewis runs the floor, has a nice touch around the rim, and is very active in pursuing offensive rebounds. He needs to add some weight and strength to handle the physicality of college basketball, but he has a great deal of potential.
Jordin Bell, Showtime Ballers 17U: A 6’2 junior at Tampa Brooks-DeBartolo, Bell is athletic and a prolific scorer. He shoots the ball from the perimeter off both the catch and the dribble and can quickly drive in for scores in a crowd at the basket. Bell has active hands and feet on defense and quickly converts steals into scores.
Julien Clark, Team Florida 17U: A 6’2 junior at Lake Highland Prep in Orlando, Clark is a speedy guard that makes an impact with his attacking style of play. He is difficult to keep from the basket but is a dangerous if streaky perimeter shooter on either side of the arc. Clark proved adept at getting his teammates good shots after penetrating the defense. He also rebounds well for his size and position.
Karter Knox, Florida Rebels 17U: A 6’6 junior from Tampa Catholic, Knox is a top twenty-five player nationally in the 2024 Class and looked every bit of it this weekend. He has all kinds of talent and scoring tools. Knox is reliable past the three-point line, has an improved mid-range and “float” game in the lane, and will dunk hard in traffic if given the opportunity. He uses his length and athleticism well on the defensive end and is also a fine rebounder.
Luca Lima, Game Speed Elite 17U: A 6’5 junior in the Montverde CBD (College Basketball Development) program, the native of Brazil showed a lot of skill. He scores well with either hand at the rim, sees the floor and is a good passer. Lima is a heady player that play unselfishly. He is also a surprisingly good athlete that will hammer it home if given the opportunity.
Shon Abaev, SOH Elite 17U: A 6’6 sophomore out of Calvary Christian in Fort Lauderdale, Abaev is an incredibly gifted shooter. He makes deep shots with a quick release off the catch, or with a step-back dribble and makes them while under duress. Abaev will also stick the mid-range jumper or get all the way to the rim if the defense overplays to much for the shot. Abaev is an above-average athlete that helps out in the rebounding department and is an alert defender.
Lorenzo Cason, 1 Family 17U: The 6’2 guard from Victory Christian in Lakeland shook off a poor first half to lead the team to an overtime, sudden-death victory on Sunday. Cason does a great job of creating space for his jump shot or getting his defender out of position and driving strong to the basket. He also has a good mid-range game and is a reliable free-throw shooter. It won’t surprise if his recruitment greatly elevates this summer.
Jeremy Elyzee, Florida Pro 17U: A 6’7 junior from Pembroke Pines Charter, Elzyee is long, thin, and bouncy. He also has some decent skills in terms of ball-handling, passing, and shooting from the perimeter as he is a respectable three-point shooter. Elzyee gets quickly gets to rebounds at both ends and is a versatile defender. He’s got a lot of potential for the next level.