GBCA Live Period Session I Florida Standouts Part I
The GBCA live period team camp has been a highly anticipated event. It was the first time since the pandemic hit that DI coaches where able to get on the road and attend games in person. This event surely did not disappoint as it was filled with numerous high level prospects. The teams out of Florida had a ton of success over the weekend and a lot of the players made their presence known. Read on for part I of the standout players out of the sunshine state.
Aberdeen may have been the biggest stock riser of the entire event. The 6-foot-4 PG displayed his ability to shoot efficiently from three as well as create his own offense off the dribble. This is a player that plays with a ton of energy and has the capability of becoming a really good two-way player at the next level. Throughout the weekend, he showed flashes of his tenacious defensive abilities. His ability to score the ball in flurries made him stand out over his competition. I watched him score 16 points on 4 3PM in the opening nine minutes of a game. Aberdeen was the leading scorer (17.5 ppg) on a very talented Dr. Phillips team that went undefeated on the weekend. He has picked up multiple offers since the event concluded.
Brown was another one of the top stock risers of the event. As one of the top perimeter scorers of the event, he showcased his ability to score from any spot on the floor. He can knock down shots from behind the arc, in the midrange game, and he can get to the rim with ease. He was OCP's leading scorer on the weekend while playing a tough schedule. He entered the weekend with some LM-MM interest and offers, but he definitely caught the eye of some HM coaches with his performances. He has earned offers from VCU and Clemson since the event, and that list will surely continue to grow.
One of Florida's top players in the 2023 class, Jackson proved to be a standout player at the event, regardless of class. Jackson was easily one of the most athletic and explosive players in attendance. He has an extremely quick burst that he uses to his advantage in transition and on the boards. His athleticism was on full display as he threw down a number of highlight worthy dunks throughout the weekend. Already with a handful of HM offers, Jackson picked up an offer from Houston after coaches were in to watch him play. *Jackson currently attends Oak Ridge High School.
I went into the weekend looking forward to seeing Dr. Phillips play to see big man Ernest Udeh again, but I walked away super impressed with this kid. Kugel is one of the most talented guards that I have seen all year. He is a high-level playmaker that will make a college program very happy. He is both a crafty scorer and passer. He has a nice handle and is a creative finisher around the basket. Kugel did himself a lot of favors during the GBCA event, adding offers from Houston, Coastal Carolina, Auburn, UNCW, Arkansas State, Hofstra, and Miami.
I got my first look at Udeh at the Bob Gibbons TOC back in May. He was a physical specimen that outworked every single one of his opponents. It was no different with his high school team. As one of the most sought after prospects in the southeast, Udeh possesses all the tools that leave college coaches salivating. At 6-foot-10, he is a monster on the boards and an impeccable shot blocker. Once he gets the ball inside the paint, watch out. 9/10 times he is going to rise up to dunk the ball with a lot power. What I enjoyed the most about watching him play was his effort. He went after every single loose ball and rebound that was in the same vicinity as him. Udeh is considered one of the top big men in the 2022 class for a reason.