Travel Team Jamboree: Florida targets breakdown
Each Spring the Florida Travel Team Jamboree, hosted by the Hoop Exchange and Source Hoops, has been the unofficial start to the AAU season in the Sunshine State. Last weekend, Inside the Gators traveled to Apopka, Florida to take in the action. Several Gators targets stood out, particularly Team Breakdown guard Elijah Weaver.
Recruitment: Florida, Villanova, Virginia, Notre Dame, UConn and many others.
His day: The highest ranked player in attendance, Weaver had an impressive performance in a game against adidas Gauntlet team CP25. A combo guard with good size, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Weaver tallied 18 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists while playing mostly off the ball. Weaver made 8-of-12 field goals including 2-of-5 beyond the arc. Weaver stands out on defense. His length allows him to be a perimeter stopper.
Quotable: “I love the way they (Florida) play. It was a great experience (visiting) there and I’d like to go back actually.”
Prediction: This is a long way from over. Weaver told us that he will cut his list to twelve schools today which leaves a lot of competition for the Albany, Georgia native.
Recruitment: USF, Florida, Virginia, FGCU, Rhode Island
His day: Smith did not have his best scoring day in the game we watched but he impacted the game in other ways. He was impressive handling the ball against full court pressure and his passing set his teammates up for easy shots.
Prediction: Smith is coming off of a terrific high school season that saw him score 30+ points in 13 games including a 39 point game against Oak Hill Academy. We expect his recruitment to take off while playing on the EYBL with Nike South Beach.
Recruitment: Miami, Florida, Virginia, Ohio State, TCU and Georgia Tech and others
His day: A point guard that can score, Devoe is a smooth lefty who is adept at getting to the rim to score but has a jump shot that must be respected by defenders. Devoe showed good court awareness and he knows how to control tempo.
Quotable: “I love coach (Mike) White and I love the assistants so it was a great thing that they offered me. He (White) needs a point guard in the 2018 class. It’s a great opportunity for me.”
Prediction: Devoe seems very high on Florida, enough so that we believe that if the staff pushes, he’ll commit to the Gators.
Recruitment: Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Kansas, Kansas State, Miami and more.
His day: A big time athlete whose skills are continuing to develop. Williams’ motor has no let up. Defensively he challenged shots and attacked the boards for rebounds, often out rebounding bigger opponents. On offense he scored mostly in transition or on putbacks, however there was one straight line drive from the free throw line that he finished through the contact.
Quotable: “I didn’t finish up my junior year like I wanted to so now I’m focused on EYBL to get my stock up. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder now, I’m hungry.”
Prediction: Florida has recruited Williams hard and is going to be tough to beat. We do not expect the bluebloods to jump in. Fans, however, will need to be patient with Williams’ decision.
Recruitment: Georgia, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Butler, Florida and more.
His day: A lefty from Georgia, Richardson was impressive with E1T1 United. He was able to take his man off the dribble and score with a nice mid-range game. Richardson passed the ball well, finding the open man either on the break or on drives. He had good footwork on defense. Richardson showed lots of poise, he could play either guard spot but looks like a natural shooting guard.
Quotable: “I’m just trying to put my name out there. I’m from a small city in Georgia not a lot of people know about me, so I’m just trying to wake everybody up.”
Prediction: Unclear. Richardson is wide open. He enjoyed his unofficial visit to Gainesville for the Vanderbilt game in January but he is hoping to add more high-major offers while playing in the EYBL.
Recruitment: Louisville, Florida, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh and more.
His day: A slender 6-foot-7 small forward, Walker tallied 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks. One of those games was a 41 point win and Walker saw limited action. Long and athletic, Walker is just scratching the surface and appears to have a high ceiling.
Prediction: It is early in Walker’s recruitment and Florida was wise to get him on campus during the season. Walker benefited from programs coming to Orlando Christian Prep to see Nassir Little. The word on Walker is out now and will only grow with the exposure that comes from the 16U EYBL.
