On the rise: Stock boosters in class of 2018 & 2019
The Spring Jam, hosted by CP25 Southeast Elite Florida and Big Shots featured Elijah Weaver, Antwann Jones and Nassir Little – all four-star players in the 2018 class – but several class of 2018 and 2019 prospects had solid performances Saturday at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Today we look at seven whose performances stood out.
Recruitment: Offers from Florida Gulf Coast, South Florida, UCF, Tennessee Tech, Virginia Tech
Russ' take: Simons is a thin 6-foot-2 point guard with good lateral quickness and sneaky athleticism who can finish above the rim and slide over on help defense to block shots from the side or behind. He can slash to score and his jumper has to be respected beyond the arc. Simons shows good poise when leading his team when they are dealing with adversity.
Recruitment: No offers.
Russ' take: A skilled point guard with good speed and quickness who runs his team, makes good decisions even in fast paced games. Halloran knows how to control the tempo, can get to the rim and shoots it well enough to keep defenses honest. He is also very good in pick and roll. What he may lack in size he makes up in IQ. He is also not afraid to take the big shot with the game on the line. Halloran may be Florida’s best kept secret.
Recruitment: Murray State, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Miami have contacted his coaches.
Russ' take: Soto can put it on the floor and create his own shot. A good athlete, he can get out on the break and finish at the rim. He is versatile enough to play small forward or shooting guard and defend both positions.
Recruitment: Stetson has expressed interest, per his AAU Coach.
Russ' take: Great motor, simply loves to compete. An unselfish player, Cowart will do whatever is needed to help his team – post up, slash, make jumpers rebound or facilitate. Has a good complement of speed, lateral quickness, running ability and jumping ability needed to run the break, defend in the half court or full-court press. Had 22 points and 17 rebounds in the game we watched.
Recruitment: Florida, Florida State, Stetson, UCF and USC have offered. California, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland and many more are showing interest.
Russ' take: Little has long been known has a “run, jump and dunk energy guy” but the work he has put in on developing his skills is beginning to show. His jump shot is streaky but needs to be respected. He can grab a rebound and push the ball on the break. Has the toughness to mix it up on the glass at both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.
Recruitment: James Madison has offered
Russ' take: Struggled in the first half, but got it figured out at halftime and was very active at both ends of the court. Can stretch the defense with his perimeter shot or put it on the floor and get to the rim. His ball handling is good enough to allow him to grab a rebound and push the ball on the break. Lean and long but will mix it up on the glass.
At 6-foot-5, Weaver is a big point guard but he is used off the ball with Team Breakdown
Russ' take: Has very good court vision, and gets the ball to the open man at the correct time. Has a good amount of athleticism which allows him to get to the rim, score or get fouled and get to the free-throw line. Has good lateral quickness which helps him keep his man in front of him. Weaver made a statement with arguably the best defensive play of the weekend when he met Antwann Jones at the rim and rejected his dunk attempt.