Wood's Takeaways: Fri & Sat at the Orlando Hoops Festival
ORLANDO, Florida – The second live period in July saw three events in Central Florida. FlaVarsity spent Friday and Saturday at The First Academy (TFA) for the Orlando Hoops Festival, hosted by Source Hoops. It was an excellently run event featuring a showcase format with games on two courts in the TFA Field House and the main court in the TFA Arena.
Here is who stood out to us:
Recruitment: North Florida, New Hampshire, Mercer, Boston University and Wichita State
His Day: Jose Placer is one of the most consistent players in the state. He understands when to change speeds, makes the right pass, never seems rushed -- even when under pressure -- he scores within the flow of the offense but is capable of impacting the game without scoring. Placer's lateral quickness, which is underrated in my opinion, allows him to be a good on-ball defender. He had 23 points in the game we watched.
Prediction: Mercer is in good position to land Placer but things could change if Wichita State offers.
Recruitment: Florida, Florida State, Miami, Georgia, USC, Pittsburgh and more
His Day: The Orlando Hoops Festival gave us a chance to watch Omar Payne battle a strong big body power forward like DC Blue Devils' Makhi Mitchell and a more svelte players that Louisiana Elite had -- Payne showed that he is versatile enough to 'get his' against either type of opponent. Payne prefers to battle on the low blocks and use his 7-foot-5 wingspan to help him score, rebound and block or alter shots. He runs the floor and passes out of the post well. Developing a face up game to compliment his inside game could make him very difficult to guard. In the two games we watched his combined stats were 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
Prediction: As a member of the 2019 class there is a long way to go in Payne's recruitment. He has unofficially visited Florida and came away impressed, but he has family in South Florida which gives the Canes an 'in'.
Recruitment: Florida Gulf Coast, Middle Tennessee and Northern Arizona have offered, USF is showing interest
His Day: He is quiet and you can' tell how the game is going by watching his facial expressions but Isaiah Palermo is a tough competitor. A good finisher on the break, Palermo's perimeter shot is improving. A willing defender, Palermo has very good anticipation and seems to constantly be around the ball whether it is grabbing rebounds, getting a steal or a tip. He had a quiet four points in the first game we watched but had 12 points and four steals in the second game.
Prediction: Palermo is the epitome of 'under the radar' at this point in his recruitment but we expect that to change as more programs see him as the word gets out on him and while coming out to evaluate his four-star teammate Omar Payne.
Recruitment: Kansas State, Rhode Island, Dayton, Tennessee Tech, Denver and Georgia Southern
His Day: A 6-foot-5 wing, Angel Smith has a great motor and he is a quick leaper for rebounds at both ends of the floor. A strong finisher in transition -- we saw him shatter a backboard at the Travel Team Jamboree -- Smith is a big time athlete who has no problem going through or over his defender. Smith averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds and three assists for the weekend, according to the Team Breakdown Twitter page. He had 16 points and nine rebounds in the game we watched.
Prediction: Do not discount Tennessee Tech. They just recently entered his recruitment but if they offer and push, they have a real chance at landing Smith.
Recruitment: Georgia Tech, Virginia, Purdue, Wyoming, VCU, Arkansas State and more
His Day: Netftali Alvarez should see an uptick in interest with the way he is playing for the Miami Tropics. The 6-foot-2, 165 pound guard has a solid handle under pressure, was able to get to his spots, set up teammates and displayed his deep shooting range. On the other end of the floor, Alvarez was a dog on defense.
Prediction: Despite their location we like Wyoming here.
Recruitment: North Florida and Florid Gulf Coast
His Day: Josh Marte is a vocal floor general, often telling teammates where they should be or what they should do even when he does not have the ball in his hands. He is poised under pressure and his teammates follow him. Marte has good speed, quickness and court vision -- despite his 5-foot-8 stature. He is a good decision maker and will knock down the open perimeter shot. Marte had 10 points against Louisiana Elite and 17 against the DC Blue Devils.
Prediction: I hate to be redundant but as a member of the 2019 class there is plenty of time for Marte to attract attention and offers.
IMPRESSIVE IMPORTS
Coming into the event I wanted to find one player who I did not know much about and made me do some homework – I found three.
Kai Jones, an import from the Bahamas who will attend Orlando Christian Prep (OCP), is one to keep an eye on. Listed at 6-foot-8, Jones is a long, thin athlete who can knock down open three-pointers, will contest shots and is a good area rebounder. He needs to add weight but he will provide rim protection and more for an OCP team coming off of a state championship season.
The Netherlands isn't exactly known for producing Division I basketball prospects but Quincy Tjon-Affo has a chance, based on his performance on Saturday. The rising senior showed a good feel for the game for a 16 year-old import (he turns 17 next month). The 6-foot-8, 195-pounder handles it well for his size, runs the floor well, has range to the arc and is a good passer on the move. He blocks out for rebounds, is willing to set screens and protect the rim. More strength is needed -- we saw him get moved out of position too often -- but he does not shy away from contact. Ton-Affo will attend Windermere Prep in the coming school year.
The Florida Sons have a legit 7-footer in class of 2019 center Ibrahima Diallo. He has good hands, runs the floor well and showed off a nice jump hook. Diallo is a good rim protector and has the potential to be a volume rebounder. In the game we watched Diallo did not get many scoring opportunities but he was active and finished with six points, five rebounds, five blocks and two assists.
The third, and final, live period in July begins today at 5pm EST. FlaVarsity will be at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World covering the action.
Game stats provided courtesy of Rick Staudt of Source Hoops unless otherwise indicated.