Guy Power

Floridahoops.com

October 6, 2008

It's been a year since Eric Wallace and I first met. His goal of taking Hoop Mountain to the front of the pack for Florida is quickly becoming a reality. He has developed a solid network of contacts throughout the state and proven that his events will be second to none. This weekend's event at the Basketball Academy at IMG Academy makes an exclamation point on the word talent.

There was someone suspiciously missing from NIKE Team Florida's "TheWorkout " last weekend in IMG Academy big man Kyryl Natyazhko. Not so yesterday as the Ukraine transplant made his way onto the floor. Luckily, there were a few kids close to his size to challenge him as one double team of 6'5" Patrick Konan and 6'8" Zach Beeker tried to slow him down. Needless to say, it didn't work as Kyryl finished at the rim. He displayed a deadly lefty hook and a brand of athleticism that shows he will continue to improve his game. His size doesn't seem to hold him back as his work ethic was on full display during the drill sessions. Kyryl has a soft touch with the ball as he demonstrated that he now has range out to the three point line. Now, we all know he will get things done on the inside. But, this big man now displays some very nice moves moving toward the basket and his ability to put the ball down from 15 feet allows him to really get started.

It was nice to see a couple of post grads mix it up as former Lake Brantley guard Ronald Sumney was able to show why his team was only an eight point loss to Winter Park in last year's regional quarterfinals in Class 6A. He showed some sneaky backdoor cuts that caught defenders off guard to easily finish. His moves in the half court with a great attack mode and showed a good understanding of the game. He has no problem putting it down and challenging a defender to the rim.

The other post grad that was impressive was 5'7" Anthony Jimenez from Mitchell located in New Port Richey. A fire burns within this player. His outgoing attitude displayed a quickness with the ball when in charge on the offensive end. A small active defender that will disrupt and make good things happen. He showed good range on the perimeter as he didn't have a problem launching one from downtown.

Make sure that you read the Basketball Academy article to find out about the play of IMG Academy's impressive post grad players. The core of the post grad team will revolve around Marko Cukic. The 6'9" big man proved that he can bang (and will) with Kyryl "the Beast". A definite advantage awaiting at daily practices. Solid guard play with point guard Khalif Toombs, guard Nomar Sanchez, and a complimentary wing/forward player in James Ewing should make the team pretty tough. This may be the best overall post grad team that the Basketball Academy has had in several years. Some solid role players will bring some intrinsic value to the team that has been missing in previous years. Long story short, it should be more team oriented play rather than 5 individuals on the floor. This formula normally yields better results.

The surprise of the day was 6'6" Raines (Jacksonville) senior combo guard Rickey Lamb. He dominated offensively as he is able to knock three pointers, attack the rim, hit a pull-up jump shot, and distribute the basketball. He just makes things happen as he seems to have a real nose for the ball. His defensive effort was stalwarth as he didn't back down form "the Beast" in the last game of the day. I had a feeling that Lamb would make the big fella work hard. Lamb did not disappoint as he managed the only blocked shot of the day on "the Beast". We should hear some good things from the Jacksonville area as the season approaches as this Class of 2009 guard should make quite a tear in the ranks.

Rounding out the 2009 standouts is The Rock School's 6'8" center Vladyslav Kondratyev. Vlad has come a long way since last I saw him. His footwork has improved and he now displays a nice hook shot in the lane. He used both left and right hooks on separate occasions but seems more comfortable  with his left. He worked hard down low and made some drop step moves and showed he can knock down some jump shots as he steps away from the basket. His foot speed is still a bit questionable if Division I is in his future. But, he could make the right team very happy playing the man in the middle or a power forward position. He has a strong, solid frame and does seem to like being in the post which is almost unusual in this day and age.

The Class of 2010 was well represented as there was a Barbarian in the house. A nickname that described this young man's play from an event last year, 6'5" Patrick Konan from The Rock School has moved his game outside. Yes, he can still play in the paint. Yes, he can still defend bigger, stronger players, well within reason anyway. But, Patrick has found a jumpshot that works from the three point line and he is not afraid to shoot it. He can handle the ball well in traffic and showed a good ability to make an assist or two to keep defenders guessing just what he was going to do. His game has improved immensely over the last year. It will be interesting to watch this young man over the next two years.

I made a few comments last week that there was a new position on the basketball court called "athlete". You know the type that is just so athletic but can't seem to hit the side of a barn from 10 feet or more. Smooth in transition, able to knock down a thunderous dunk. Well, I now have another new position, "player". You know the type that just seems to know the right things to do on both sides of the ball. You need to put a picture of 6'6" Maynard Evans combo guard/forward Mike Grinage in your mind for this spot. He showed that he can do it all. The form of his shot is solid and he can knock down just about any shot that a person could ask for. He shows a solid defensive effort and uses his body to move players and make them uncomfortable. Keep your eyes open as Mike brings his game into the gym.

Not to be out done, 6'9" IMG ACademy wing forward Dwight Powell tried to show that he can play in the post. He struggled a bit as he just didn't look comfortable against much stronger players. He did show that he knows how to play the position as his footwork and body movement looked good. A few comments from the coaching staff coaxed Dwight to work harder in the post on this day and he did manage to show that given some added weight that he should find some time on the low blocks as the season approaches. But, you can tell that he is more at home away and facing the basket. There is nothing wrong with that on the offensive end as being a 6'9" wing is pretty impressive. The question is going to be what to do with him defensively. Yes, he has put on some weight. But, he will likely need to add some pounds on his frame to really take him over the top on the recruiting end.

Yeah, I am a creature of habit. One of my habits is always looking for that blue-collar player. These players are necessary to a team and they bring added presence to balance a team. Charlotte's 6'3" guard Nick Goshay reminds me of this type of player. He doesn't do anything fancy. But, he seems to pick the right time to take a pull-up give a defender a ball fake and drain a jumper in the lane. He runs the floor well as he finishes well in transition. He just does good things offensively and defensively. Another Class of 2010 player that we will keep our eyes on over the next two years.

Alright, back to keeping things moving along and closing out the Class of 2010 standouts was Seacrest Country Day 6'0" guard Brunes Charles. He is active on the offensive end and displayed a variety of moves to get him to the basket. He gets caught up in the moment and tends to maybe overplay. But, you want effort from a player. So, Brunes' play was addictive as his teammates did tend to play harder when he was fired up. His jump shot was not on display much as he was content to slash toward the basket. Overall, he demonstrated a good understanding on offense and defense.

The Class of 2011 featured more guard oriented type play and The Rock School's 6'2" point guard Scottie Wilbekin directs a team well. He can setup an offense and make sure good things happen. He knocked some jump shots and workd his way inside and out as he hit some pull-up jumpers and finds the basket with ease. He is active on the defensive end and really makes the offense work. He did a nice job of making players uncomfortable and enabling a player come from the back side for an easy steal and layup on the other end quickly.

Fort Myers has a good one in 6'2" Evin Graham. A long, lanky guard that can get to the cup. He makes some nice moves toward the basket and knocks down some midrange jump shots. He seems most comfortable with a midrange game and will attack the basket with some good moves to make a defender think twice about playing him too close. An outside game awaits the young man as it was one of the few talents that he dcided to not show. His work on the defensive end proved interesting as he is quick enough to guard smaller guards and bother them them with his long arms.

Arlington Country Day has found yet another great guard of the future in the 5'6" Denzell Hayden. The freshman guard did not disappoint as his quick moves and ball handling skills make him come across as a player with more years of experience. He has a quick first move and you have to respect him from the outside. His shot was streaky and you expect that from a freshman. But, he fit right in directing his team in the half court. His quickness and foot speed afford him the option of taking someone off the dribble. Yet, he was content to engage the defense and find open players for easy baskets. A very intense young man that can make something of his basketball career if he desires it.

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