What I liked: Russ Wood From UF Team Camp
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This weekend the Florida Gators Men's Basketball Team Camp jumped off with teams from across the sunshine state and a few from Georgia. Injuries and school visits prevented a few prospects from participating. Still, the camp did not lack for excitement or standout performances, but what I really liked was…
…Everything about Dallan ‘Deebo’ Coleman’s game
A 6-foot-4, 180-pound wing from West Nassau (FL) High School, Coleman was very impressive Friday and Saturday. Coleman has a good frame, did not shy away from contact – regardless of the size of his defender – has good ball skills and was difficult to keep out of the lane. Coleman has good range on his jumper, making him a legitimate threat to score each time he had the ball. The son of a coach, Coleman plays with an advanced basketball IQ for his age (Coleman is in the class of 2021) he made good decisions with the ball in his hands including late in games when he was visibly tired. With his skill level and physical tools Coleman can play, as well as, defend multiple positions. Make no mistake, Coleman is an impact player -- the Gators agree as they offered Campbell after watching him on Friday.
Offers: Florida, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Campbell
…Christian Wright’s defense
Wright a 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard, just completed his sophomore year at Milton (GA) High School but he plays as if he has more experience. Wright is very active on the defensive end, he is equally as good on-ball as he is in help defense. He is also a vocal defender, regularly communicating with his teammates, something that is very encouraging to see in a young prospect. Wright is an on-ball combo guard. He has the ball handling skills, including under pressure, to be your point guard and he has the shooting skills to be your shooting guard. Wright found the open man while going full speed in transition, on drives and against double teams. He showed great poise late in a close game against Hamilton Heights. A member of the 2020 class, college coaches have only been able to call or text Wright for nine days but he has already earned interest from several high major programs.
Offers: Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee State and Western Carolina
Interest: Florida, Georgetown, Georgia, Indiana and Tennessee
…Jordan Rawls’ potential
At 6-foot-2, 160-pounds Rawls doesn’t blow you away with his measurables but his floor game makes you pay attention to him. In the two games we watched the Hamilton Heights (Chattanooga, Tenn.) class of 2020 point guard rarely made a mistake. He used ball screens extremely well, got into the lane for floaters, created scoring opportunities for teammates and knocked down a few three-pointers. His team was only had six players available – Rawls played every minute of their games – so I did not get a good evaluation of his defensive skills as he was saving energy, so to speak, at that end of the floor. If you value production over flash you will be attracted to Rawls.
Offers: UMass, FAU, Arkansas State, Canisius and Hofstra
Interest: Florida, Tennessee, Louisville, Vanderbilt and Iowa
…Luke Anderson in attack mode
Saturday afternoon Luke Anderson probably had his best performance since his high school season ended. He rebounded well in traffic at both ends of the court. Anderson posted up smaller defenders and used a smooth turnaround jump shot that was wet all game. The 6-foot-8 Lakeland product can put the ball on the deck to challenge defenses, knock down perimeter shots and is a very good passer for his position. Anderson typically plays with a high basketball IQ but in the game I watched he let comments from the opponent’s bench get to him some. Anderson grew up a Gators fan and the coaching staff watched him play from the observation deck of the practice facility.
Offers: Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, USF, Xavier and more
Interest: Florida, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, UCF
Another prospect I watched and noticed the Gators staff evaluating was Paxon School (Jacksonville, Fla.) Isaiah Adams. The 6-foot-6 wing has the skill set and the length to attract high major interest. Unfortunately, in the first game his team played on Friday, Adams injured his right knee and sat out their Friday evening game. Saturday morning, he tried to go, but the injury limited his mobility and ended his day before the second quarter was over. Adams’ shot release is a bit low but he has intangibles that will attract the attention of college coaches.
Offers: North Florida and FAU
Interest: UMass, Florida and Florida State
Lastly, as I reported Saturday, class of 2021 duo Wesley Cardet and Jordan Shorter came up to Gainesville for an unofficial visit so they could meet the Gators coaching staff and get a tour of campus.
