Based on the quality of play, the future looks quite bright for Florida basketball over the next couple of years. There were several standouts at the Best of the Best Elite Florida Showcase on Sunday at The Big House in Tavares and we highlight many of them in this article.
Dwayne Foreman III, Groveland Hope Prep: A 5’11 sophomore, Foreman was one of three players in this grade group to play “up” with the juniors and seniors and handled himself well. In the game we took in, Foreman drilled eight three-point shots. Adding this weapon to his already high-level ball-handling and distribution skills only makes him that much more of a factor. A good decision maker with speed and quickness, Foreman gets to wherever he wants on the court to set up teammates for easy shot attempts.
Josiah Gillard, Lake Minneola: A 6’0 freshman, Gillard could have easily been mistaken for a senior with his play on Sunday in the JR/SR division. He is uber-confident and very good with the ball in his hands. Gillard does a fine job of creating for himself and for others, scoring from both the perimeter on either side of the arc as well as getting to and scoring at the basket. He is used to playing with talent and easily slides from go-to guy and complimentary piece, whichever role his team needs him to take on.
Mike Muscarella, West Palm Beach Atlantic Christian: The 6’2 sophomore also played up in the older division. Muscarella is a confident player that can really stroke it from deep. He is a solid ball-handler that is not shy about attacking the basket with the dribble. Muscarella plays hard and really competes every possession. He has the skills to play either guard position, showing some nice passing instincts to go along with his ability to put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways.
Jayvein Battle, Orlando Oak Ridge: A 5’9 freshman, Battle was solid with the basketball and made good decisions for a freshman. He was quick to get the ball to open teammates inside or on the perimeter. Battle proved to be quick to the basket and unafraid of taking contact when challenging bigger players at the rim. His perimeter shot should gain more consistency as he gains physical strength and game experience.
Oliver Kopittke, Boca Raton Spanish River: A 5’11 freshman, Kopittke was one of the more fierce competitors in the division. He scored well on drives, made good shot vs. pass decisions on the move, pushed the pace whenever possible and was solid in running ball-screen action. In the up-tempo game we watched, Kopittke did not get or take the opportunity to attempt a shot from the perimeter. It did look respectable in the skill sessions so that is something to watch for in the future.
Nathaniel Boyer, Groveland Hope Prep: A 6’0 sophomore, Boyer plays with a smoothness and confidence that is rare in a young player. He has a high level of natural ability, gets to the basket and scores with relative ease, and is a reliable perimeter shooter. Boyer has active hands and feet on defense, anticipates the passing lanes well, and is a good rebounder for his size.
Adriel Correa, Miami Braddock: The 5’6 freshman is a great communicator on the court. He is vocal in calling out his defensive assignment, communication ball-screens and switches, and orchestrating teammates into the correct position at both ends of the court. Correa plays fast and hard, is solid in the basic skills of the game, and is an opportunistic scorer, always ready to make a contribution when the time comes.
Whitfield Bynoe, Orlando Christian Prep: A 5’6 sophomore, don’t underestimate Bynoe. He may be small now but he can control a game with his ball skills and quick, correct decisions on the move. Bynoe showed to be a good perimeter shooter, hitting several mid-range shots and a couple of catch-and-shoot three-pointers. He did a good job of pushing the pace, finding open teammates in transition, and getting the ball to open teammates when getting into the paint and collapsing the defense.
Kwame Poke, Mount Dora Christian: A 6’4 sophomore, Poke played up in the JR/SR division for a game and didn’t look out of place. He is a long and bouncy athlete that plays hard and is fast up and down the floor. Poke covers a lot of ground quickly on defense, rebounds at both ends, and looks to challenge shots inside. As his skills progress, he will make more of an impact at the offensive end.
Reed Ryan, Orlando Lake Highland Prep: A 6’2 freshman, Ryan has good size, length and athletic ability at this early stage of development. He is at his best when can attack the basket with a few quick dribbles or make use of his physical gifts on the offensive glass. Ryan’s perimeter shooting will improve with time and repetition. He has all the tools to be a versatile defender now and in the future.