Top Performers: Week 3
The regular season is rolling along as we are now in Week 3. I took in a handful of hard fought games around the state.
Here is a look at the top performances I saw on the week through live stream and in person.
2024 6-3 G Anakin Brown – Bolles
There is a lot to like about Anakin Brown’s game. A super confident quick twitch jumpshooter, the 2024 6-foot-3 Bolles guard hit triples often and kept his side in front down the stretch. Brown finished with 26 points in a 57-49 win over First Coast on Tuesday night. He is a scorer by nature and a very gifted athlete who finds openings to carve defenses plenty. Brown is a surefire college prospect.
2023 6-8 F Eke Rüütel – LaSalle
Lengthy and good on the break, LaSalle has a big down south to build around. Eke Rüütel was hard to slow down in a 75-59 win over Palmer Trinity. With 27 points, he flashed his finishing touch around the rim, his solid footwork and his ability to throw it down on upcourt feeds. FIU offered recently and I expect more colleges to take notice with his intriguing game.
—2024 5-foot-9 guard Alex Rauseo was active all game long for LaSalle with his shifty handles and strong lead point skills.
2024 6-5 F Tahir Bibbs – Bell Creek
In a 72-63 win over SLAM Tampa on Wednesday night, Tahir Bibbs was a key x-factor with a team-best 19 points. The 2024 6-foot-5 forward knocked down four 3’s and was a load inside on the boards. In front of a near sold out crowd, it was fun to watch the ball movement and Bibbs made the most of his shooting opportunities.
—2023 5-foot-10 guard Neil Falconer (16 points) created a lot of space with pure speed and he had a handful of impressive floaters that connected. 2024 6-foot-6 forward Elijah Payne (13 points) went to work down low while 2023 6-foot guard Ben Walker (11 points) displayed a smooth jumper.
2024 6-5 G Ramone Seals – SLAM Tampa
A true big bodied guard, Ramone Seals did the bulk of his work as an attacker and it was working for most of the night against a tough nosed Bell Creek frontcourt. Recording 24 points, Seals is the bonafide leader for SLAM Tampa and he is good with the ball in his hands as he’s able to get to the cup and create for others. He’s having a very good junior campaign.
—2023 6-foot-4 guard Xavier Finney (13 points) found success in transition and finishing lay-ins inside. 2023 6-foot-8 forward Michael Jones (12 points) had his jumper working and his length guided him to a good rebounding night.
2023 6-1 G Jhalen Phang – Stoneman Douglas
In a crowded Stoneman Douglas gym on Tuesday night in a 72-48 win over Everglades, Jhalen Phang controlled the pace on both ends of the floor for the Eagles. The 2023 6-foot-1 guard is a talented point man who can drive and kick with ease. He hit some crafty floaters and lay-ins. Phang is a very underrated versatile guard that college programs need to look at now.
Jake Perper has covered sports as a writer since 2010 and a basketball scout since 2015. He was the Southeast Scouting Director for the Prep Hoops Circuit and the lead scout for Prep Hoops’ Florida site for seven years. You can follow him on Twitter @thehoopvibe.