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RECAP: HoopMIA Team Camp

By HoopMIA, 06/22/17, 4:45PM EDT

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This past weekend HoopMIA Team Camp was in full effect at Miami Springs Rec Center, showcasing 15 teams from the South Florida region. Each team had the opportunity to showcase their talent on two courts in front of our staff and a few college coaches. Below you will find the players that really caught our eye due to their performance or potential. 

 

Top Performers

Alec Rodriguez(5'10/PG/2019) Belen Jesuit- Rodriguez is a crafty left handed point guard that really showed his ability to create his own shot and create for others. He looked very comfortable creating separation and pulling up for mid range jumpers. He is a great passer in the half court as well as in transition. This weekend he was constantly downhill looking for ways to push tempo and get into the paint. He finishes well around the rim for his size and he is a feisty defender that is willing to get on the floor for loose balls.

Weekend Statistics (12.2 PPG, 5 RPG, 6 APG)

Michael Forrest(6’2/PG/2018) Blanche Ely- Forrest looked comfortable and in attack mode all weekend long. He is a great as a point guard but has the ability to play off the ball as a shooter as well. He is most lethal when creating his own shot. He hit a bunch of midrange pull-ups off the bounce this weekend. Forrest is also great at getting deep into the paint and finishing when he is pushing tempo on the break. He is a very willing passer looking to set teammates up at all times. He was one of the more patient players on offense and overall he displays that he has great feel for the game as well.

Weekend Statistics (14.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4 APG)

Zach Scott Jr.(6’4/CG/2018) Westminster Academy- The combo guard was in total control at team camp and he continued to impress us this weekend. Scott’s three level scoring ability makes him really unique. He can get to the rack, hit midrange jumpers and he also has the ability to heat up from long range as well. Zach looked so comfortable and patient this weekend that it looked like he was moving in slow motion at times. The most surprising thing about him this weekend was his motor and physicality in the paint when fighting for rebounds and loose balls.

Weekend Statistics (16 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2 APG)

Dudley Blackwell(6'5/SF/2020) Westminster Academy- The player with the most potential at team camp this weekend had to be Blackwell. He is a long, athletic wing that is just oozing with potential. He showed his ability to defend the post and the perimeter at a high level all weekend long. On the offensive end, he showed his ability to stretch the floor and hit open jump shots. Blackwell is also a very underrated passer. The most impressive thing about him is his ability to sky above the rim for blocks, dunks and rebounds. He is still just scratching the surface on what he could become but nevertheless he  is already an elite level talent.

Weekend Averages (13 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.4 BPG)

John”Mikey" Square(6'5/F/2020) Florida Christian- Square was the highest scorer and most dominant rebounder as he averaged a double double throughout team camp this weekend. He was constantly displaying his strength when attacking the rim and finishing through all types of contact. He has a very strong build and he is also very explosive with his first step on the perimeter. He dominated team camp no matter who the opponent was. This rising sophomore is only going to get better and his ceiling is through the roof if he continues to put the work in.

Weekend Statistics (19.8 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2 BPG)

Jeffery Hernandez(6'3/CG/2018) Miami Tropics- Hernandez is an aggressive slasher who is always in attack mode and this weekend was no exception. He displayed great strength when driving to the basket, finishing through contact on several occasions. His leaping ability and explosiveness helps him finish after blowing by defenders with his lethal first step on the perimeter. He also has a team full of shooters and he willingly passes to them when he draws another defender. 

Weekend Statistics (13 PPG, 3 APG, 1.7 SPG)

Miguel Diaz(6'4/F/2018) Miami Tropics- Diaz was one of the best shooters at camp this weekend and he is a big reason why the Tropics walked away with the championship. He knocked down three after three at a high percentage all weekend long. He is a very fundamentally sound shooter. He has his hands ready and feet set every time he catches even if he doesn't shoot it. He also has the ability to finish well in the post and snag down a bunch of rebounds. He showed why he is a perfect fit for the Tropics drive and kick offensive style.

Weekend Statistics (12 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.3 APG)

Marlon Suarez(6'0/PG/2018) Hialeah Gardens- Suarez is an unselfish point guard that loves to penetrate the lane and create for his teammates. He also has the ability to finish crafty layups around the rim. Suarez was shifty with his dribble all weekend, getting into the paint whenever he wanted. He is also an underrated shooter with the ability to hit jumpers off the bounce. This kid has a ton of heart and his relentless motor as a point guard impressed us all weekend long.

Weekend Statistics (10.6 PPG, 6 RPG, 5.7 APG)

Toru Dean(6'0/PG/2019) DSBG- The Southridge transfer ran the point efficiently for DSBG throughout the weekend. Dean can really shoot the rock and he is very good at creating separation to get his own shot off. He also displayed a high basketball IQ on the court by making the right play when getting into the paint to finish or kick out to shooters. He is also a very active and scrappy defender that is capable of setting the tone on defense for South Miami this upcoming season.

Weekend Statistics (13.6 PPG, 4.2 APG, 2.1 SPG)

Angel Smith(6'6/G/2019) Northeast- Smith was one of the most athletic players at team camp this weekend. He displayed his ability to defend anyone on the perimeter as well as an ability to protect the rim as a help side defender. On the offensive end, he was best utilized when catching the ball and attacking the rim with his lighting quick first step. Smith is an elite level athlete with a really bright future as long as he continues to work on his game.

Weekend Statistics (8.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.3 BPG)

 

Stock Boosters

Lee Fleenor(6'6/F/2019) DSBG- Fleenor was among the top defenders and rebounders at the tournament. His length and athleticism is eye popping when you watch him play and his motor was equally as impressive. He is also very tough and gritty in the paint and really seems to get his hands on every loose ball. Fleenor has good hands and finishes well around the rim. On the defensive end he displayed his ability to rotate over and contest shots as a help side defender. He could become a very special type of player iff he can continue to expand his offensive game.

Weekend Statistics (6.1 PPG, 11.6 PPG, 1.7 BPG)

Chase Johnston(6'3/G/2019) Westminster Academy- Johnston was the best pure shooter at the tournament.If it was not for a sprained ankle on Saturday, he would have been one of the top performers of the weekend. His range is limitless and his confidence never waivers when it comes to shooting the ball. He also has a sneaky quick first step which allows him to get into the paint and finish or kick out to shooters. Chase is only a rising junior and as he continues to grow and develop his game he will become an elite level talent.

Weekend Statistics (13.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG)

Sam Griffin(6'2/PG/2019) Westminster Academy- Griffin was one of the best young talents at team camp this weekend. He is a great all around shooter with the ability to hit set shots or pull ups from behind the arc. Although undersized, he is fearless when driving into the lane and finishing against bigger defenders. Griffin showed great touch around the rim and displayed his ability to finish with either hand. He is also a very instinctive defender that plays passing lanes and shoots gaps to get steals and get out in transition. He is already a great talent but Griffin’s potential is through the roof.

Weekend Statistics (13.3 PPG 2.3 SPG)

Dan Didenko (6'7/PF/2018) Northeast- Didenko was one of the toughest players at the tournament this weekend. He seemed to always be involved in every rebound, lose ball or foul that took place on the court, which speaks to how physical of a presence he can be. He also showcased his ability to stretch the floor on the offensive end. Didenko has a pure stroke and he also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and draw contact at the rim. It is always fun to watch someone who plays hard on every single possession and Didenko was able to do that for us this weekend.

Weekend Statistics (8.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG)

Jesus Duquense(6'7/SF/2018) Mater Academy- Jesus played very well and really displayed his ability to score the ball over the weekend. He is an athletic wing with a long, wiry frame which makes him capable of doing some special things on the basketball court. He is a really good finisher in transition and he can also knock down the three ball. He has the frame and athleticism to be a great defender on the perimeter and as a help side defender. This kid has a ton of potential and as he won't go unnoticed if he is playing hard.

Weekend Statistics (12.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.2 BPG)

 

Sleepers:

Alejandro Simoza(5'8/PG/2018) Mater Academy- Simoza was the engine and spark for the Mater Lions this weekend. He was clearly the leader of his team on the court and he was just relentless all weekend long. He was all over the place on the defensive end, wreaking havoc for the opposition the entire weekend. He can knock down the open three and get to the rim. Although he is undersized, he is a fearless competitor on the court that will give teams problems in the future.

Weekend Statistics (PPG 11.3, 1.8 SPG)

Marcos Dajer(6'2/SG/2018) Belen Jesuit- Dajer was Belen’s best pure scorer over the weekend. He displayed his ability to get to the rim and finish with either hand. He is also a really good three point shooter which helps him set up his drive to the rim. Dajer runs hard and gets a ton of buckets in transition. He was a consistent scoring threat and an active defender throughout camp this weekend.

Weekend Statistics (12.6 PPG, 1.4 SPG)

 

Markhi Strickland(6'4/G/2020) Florida Christian- Strickland was a key contributor to Florida Christians run at camp this weekend. Markhi was able to showcase his athleticism and his jump shot all weekend. He is very young and there is no doubt his game is going to continue to improve. He is already a great rebounder for his position and his ability to rebound and push tempo really helped the Patriots offense this weekend. Coach Doan has a great young guard that will flourish alongside John Square at Florida Christian.

Weekend Statistics (4.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.2 APG)

 

Pride George(5'11/PG/2018) Triple Threat- This kid plays with a ton of heart and passion and leaves it all out there on the court. He is a very patient point guard with a steady handle and although he is a bit undersized can hit the open three. He is a fierce competitor and he let his emotions and frustrations get the best of him when he got ejected during his last game. His ejection overshadowed how well he played up to that point. He can contribute and impact a basketball game in multiple ways.

Weekend Statistics (12.7 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.4 APG)

Markeis Damon(6'2/CG/2019) Southridge- Damon is a strong, athletic combo guard that likes to slash to the rim and finish. He has a good handle which helps him get to his spots on the floor. His build gives him the capability of guarding anyone on the perimeter if his effort is right. He can rise up and finish strong at the rim and he is an underrated rebounder. If Markeis continues to work hard the he can develop into a solid contributor for Coach Barnes.

Weekend Statistics (10.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG)