2024 Florida Jam: 17U Top Performers, Part I
After an action-packed weekend in Wesley Chapel, Florida, the inaugural Florida Jam is officially behind us. There were plenty of talented players that ended their travel season on a high note.
With that being said, here’s our first round of top performers from the 17-and-under division…
Bryce Fitzgerald, MBA All-Stars: Death, taxes, and Bryce Fitzgerald being a top performer at a HoopSeen event. Like clockwork, the talented guard came to play each time the ball was tipped and impressed spectators throughout the weekend. The athletic 6-foot-1 guard was a highlight reel in transition, making plays with the ball in his hands and scoring the basketball at a high rate. Fitzgerald opened up the action on Friday with a 33-point performance and never looked back. While he’ll ultimately play football at the high-major level, Fitzgerald has proven he can play basketball at a high level, too.
Tor-El Robinson, Wellington Wolves Select Glenn: I had the chance to see Robinson for the first time back in March at the Conrad Foss Memorial here in Wesley Chapel. Fast-forward a few months and his improvement is noticeable. The 6-foot-5 wing has become more comfortable with the ball in his hands, as he made play after play off the bounce this weekend. He had some dazzling finishes at the rim as he avoided help-side defenders in the lane. Robinson’s skill has definitely improved, but make no mistake about it — this guy plays extremely hard each time out and moves the needle with his motor. He’ll be an intriguing guy to watch going forward.
Joshua Skinner, Team ME: Skinner was a pleasant find from the weekend. The strong, bullish 6-foot-4 guard was tough for defenses to handle when he had his momentum going. He made several acrobatic finishes at the rim and was a frequent offensive rebounder that led to easy baskets. Despite being as strong as an ox, Skinner played with a calm demeanor and scored the basketball efficiently. He also made plays on defense as he blocked several shots per game, including a couple of loud ones as he pinned the ball on the backboard.
Adrian Shackleton, Holiday Hoops: Holiday Hoops rolled to a 3-1 record on the weekend with the bare minimum of their roster. That’s right, they did all that damage with only five players during the event. Each game the team had a different standout, but Shackleton’s consistent play from start to finish was impressive. The 6-foot-3 combo guard showcased his ability to play both guard spots effectively. While scoring wasn’t an issue (he scored 30+ points in at least two games), I was most impressed with Shackleton’s playmaking ability. He created opportunities for others consistently by breaking down defenses and making quality decisions.
Max Simmons, TNT HoopSquad: Simmons burst onto the scene back in March at the Conrad Foss Memorial with his shooting ability. Well, after a few months, nothing has changed in Simmons’ game because very rarely did the ball ever touch the rim at Florida Jam. The 6-foot guard was one of the best shooters from the event, making shots in a variety of different ways from all over the floor. Simmons made long-range shots out of pick-and-roll opportunities while also converting contested shots coming off screens. Did I mention that he converted 23 three-pointers in four games?! If there’s one thing to gather from this weekend, it’s that you need to guard Simmons when he walks in the gym door.
