Two years ago, South Florida big man John Collins spring boarded his recruitment at Suwanee Sports Academy with his simplistic play in the post. This year, Paul Atkinson is playing a similar role with Nike South Beach. 

The 6-foot-8 big man from Palm Beach Gardens (FL) Westminster Academy came to Atlanta last weekend and went to work.Atkinson averaged 9.8 points and seven rebounds a game for Nike South Beach. 

He played the role of a big man that could see his recruitment surge in July. His recruitment already has a healthy heartbeat, too. 

Atkinson said he hold offers from Richmond, Yale, Virginia Tech, Binghamton, Vermont, and Jacksonville, 

“I'm hearing from the ivy leagues and Patriot League schools, as well as Old Dominion, UCF, Northwestern, Clemson and a few others,” he said. 

Atkinson was on the campus of Jacksonville last weekend and could be on the campus of Central Florida this weekend. Atkinson said he plans on visiting Northwestern in a couple weeks during a family trip. 

Like Collins, he’s ahead of the curve academically and has found a good place on the hardwood going into the final travel ball recruiting period.