The HoopSeen team is off traversing throughout the nation these next few days and one site that the road will take us is it to the Kreul Classic. Things begin on Friday afternoon where most of the games are taking place at the gym at Coral Springs City Gym in Coral Springs, Florida. There is loads of talent from the Sunshine State on display along with a few others from outside of the area that we have our eye on as we preview what we hope to see in the coming days in southeast Florida.

JERSEY SHOW COMES TO THE SUNSHINE STATE

There are some quality events going on in the coming days throughout the New England and northeast portions of the United States, yet that didn’t stop the Pop John XXIII crew from taking the thousand mile trip south and into the sun of Florida. Loaded with talent across the board, it should be exciting with what the locals will think when they see some of its top stars.

While they boast a litany of solid upperclassmen producers, our eyes will be on Atiba Taylor and Louis King. Both bring great size to each of their respective spots on the floor along with a few high-major offers in the hopper. Programs like Seton Hall, Temple, Rutgers, and St. John’s are involved with each and bringing their talents to outside of their geographical niche should only heighten their early recruitments. Sure, they are only sophomores but they are also two of the most talented ball players who will suit up throughout the course of the event.

HOW WILL COMMITTED SENIOR FAIR?

 There are a few that have already put pen to paper and while some play much better after committing since they feel less pressure on their plate, others can sometimes lay off the gas pedal and not produce as much as they should.

James Love, a 6-foot-9 forward from American Heritage, is a little known big man with giant length and immense upside as an athletic rim protector and finisher at the basket. Kansas State nabbed him early in the process but in a few years, the local product could be quite the asset in the frontcourt within the Octagon of Doom.

The star of the Bishop Kenny squad, Christian Carlyle, will give it a go this weekend in Coral Springs. Headed to Florida Gulf Coast next fall, the 6-foot-4 wing is the definition of Dunk City and what their motto entails: Carlyle is a deceptive leaper at the basket who really flourishes out in the open floor.

OTHERS READY TO BOOST STOCK

Sure, most of the squads in attendance will be led by upperclassmen, yet there also several others that are capable of putting their squads on their backs and leading them to victory.  

At the University School out of Davie, Florida, the bunch showcases two of the premier talents within the event with elite 2019 big man Balsa Koprivica and 6-foot-8 freshman forward Vernon Carey. The story is just beginning for each but where they can be in four years is as good as they might want it to be.

One of the best prospects throughout the state within the 2017 class suits up this weekend in Anthony Polite. The go-to guy for the St. Andrew’s bunch, the 6-foot-5 hard-nosed forward has programs like Boston College, Virginia Tech, and Richmond already hot on his trail.

South Miami boasts one of the toughest and physical interior pieces with Latravian Glover. The 6-foot-6 forward isn’t known by many from outside of his locale, yet these next few days in Coral Springs could go a long way in furthering his stock within his respective recruitment.

Maybe the best unsigned senior to suit up this weekend can be found on the Chaminade-Madonna College Prep squad. A 6-foot-5 leaping wing that scores at the basket, Darius Allen will have a lot of eyes placed on him by the colleges in attendance in the coming days.

A sneaky little guard for the Zion Lutheran crew, Edwin Louis is graced with tons of speed and ball skills at the lead guard spot. What he lacks for in size at 5-foot-10, he more than makes up for with his intellect and feel for the game with the basketball in his hands.

Others to track and monitor include Pembroke Pines Charter guard Anfernee Munnings, Coral Springs High senior wing Myron Dewar, Ed White forward Jeff Holland, Coral Springs Charter big man Gio Fraser, Calvary Christian product Elochukwu Eke, and Grant Robinson, a 6-foot-3 guard out of the Potomac School.