Panhandle Player of the Year Benji Bell is getting looks from FSU, Memphis, Kansas State and several other Division I programs, while Jalen Jackson, Treshaad Williams, Jordan Capps, Xavier Moon and Keith Charleston are in touch with a host of mid-majors and above. Meanwhile freshman Brandon Austin is weighing his options.

Link: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/sports/local...e-1.454965

Benji Bell had done all he could do. For 44 minutes, the 6-foot-4 point guard carried Northwest Florida State on NJCAA’s biggest stage.


Against South Plains in the title game, the sophomore led the Raiders with 28 points on 11 of 21 shooting and 5 3s. He dished out a team-high six assists, none bigger than his sprawling lunge at midcourt to tip a steal to a wide-open Jalen Jackson to knot the score at 79 with 1:42 left in overtime. He even grabbed a team-best seven rebounds, yet those stats were sidelined as he fouled out in overtime with 38 seconds left.

Link: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/sports/local...p-1.454469

Another story on Bell

Link: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/sports/local...e-1.444693

NWFL just won the NJCAA tournament.

Bell and Jackson were key players. We recruited Jalen Jackson for a little bit a couple of years ago.

Their coach has a good background as well:

Coach DeMeo has served as an assistant coach at Iona College (1995-1998), University of Central Florida (2008-2009), and Hofstra University (2010-2013). He also worked as an assistant coach at Providence College from 1998-2008, earning the title of Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach in 2004.

Along with his extensive background in Division-I, Coach DeMeo brings head coaching experience with him to Northwest Florida. He was Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Monroe College in Bronx, NY from 1993-1995 where he guided them to a remarkable 53-8 two-year record. During his two years at Monroe, DeMeo earned NJCAA Region XV Coach of the Year honors both seasons, and led his team to finishing the 1994-1995 regular season ranked #1 in the country. Coach DeMeo also spent one season as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Newberry College from 2009-2010.

Known throughout the collegiate coaching community as one of the top recruiters in the country, DeMeo has also proven his ability to develop players by coaching and mentoring six current National Basketball Association Draft picks. His recruiting ability, player development, and game preparation earned him the recognition as one of the top-25 assistant coaches in the country by Rivals.com.

Like I said in the Jeremiah Martin thread - no clue on how this guy would be at the DI level or if we even have a chance, but always been a fan of getting the best player off a championship team.

Clip of him practicing on Christmas Day!! Appears to be dedicated to getting better if nothing else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDB41KQYryI

He's from Florida, played JC in Florida, and is being recruited by an ACC school in Florida.

Would be a tough get.

Another high scoring PG.

Seen how this story ends.

(03-26-2015 11:14 AM)HoopDreams Wrote:  He's from Florida, played JC in Florida, and is being recruited by an ACC school in Florida.

Would be a tough get.

True, but FSU doesn't lose anyone to graduation and Xavier Rathan-Mayes is there.

(03-26-2015 11:52 AM)HometownTiger Wrote:  

(03-26-2015 11:14 AM)HoopDreams Wrote:  He's from Florida, played JC in Florida, and is being recruited by an ACC school in Florida.

Would be a tough get.

True, but FSU doesn't lose anyone to graduation and Xavier Rathan-Mayes is there.

Huh? You mean they aren't bringing in 7-9 newcomers for the third year in a row?

Weirdos.

(03-26-2015 12:15 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  

(03-26-2015 11:52 AM)HometownTiger Wrote:  

(03-26-2015 11:14 AM)HoopDreams Wrote:  He's from Florida, played JC in Florida, and is being recruited by an ACC school in Florida.

Would be a tough get.

True, but FSU doesn't lose anyone to graduation and Xavier Rathan-Mayes is there.

Huh? You mean they aren't bringing in 7-9 newcomers for the third year in a row?

Weirdos.

LMAO.

...let's try and keep this one on the rails fellas.

I'm not going to find fault with it - if they can sign the best guard off the NJCAA champs, go for it.

Kid sounds like a tireless worker.

It does tell you the difference in levels from JC to DI though.

Jalen Jackson signed with Central Arkansas out of HS.

Went to NWFL and was the leading scorer for a 33-2 national champion and the best looks he is getting at the DI level are mid-majors according to the article.

(03-26-2015 10:28 AM)HoopDreams Wrote:  Like I said in the Jeremiah Martin thread - no clue on how this guy would be at the DI level or if we even have a chance, but always been a fan of getting the best player off a championship team.

Me too.......leader.

I have no idea if this kid can play or if he's "Memphis good". None of ya'll have seen him play (I'm assuming we don't have many avid Florida JUCO fans here) so we don't know if landing him would be a "steal" or if it's just another signing.

My point is this... relying on Jucos seems to be more and more of the norm. I'm not sure that's the best way to build a program. The occasional JUCO guy to come in and fill a role or the occasional star JUCO that can come in and make an impact is one thing. But 2-4 in each class? All of which are asked to play key minutes... yikes!

(03-27-2015 08:25 AM)HometownTiger Wrote:  I have no idea if this kid can play or if he's "Memphis good". None of ya'll have seen him play (I'm assuming we don't have many avid Florida JUCO fans here) so we don't know if landing him would be a "steal" or if it's just another signing.

My point is this... relying on Jucos seems to be more and more of the norm. I'm not sure that's the best way to build a program. The occasional JUCO guy to come in and fill a role or the occasional star JUCO that can come in and make an impact is one thing. But 2-4 in each class? All of which are asked to play key minutes... yikes!

I don't disagree - I've always said the Memphis job was easy because if you recruit the city and the mid-south, there is no reason you can't have a competitive roster. People underestimate the talent you can find in western TN, northern MS and eastern AR. And we see how many colleges have Memphis kids playing for them.

You may have to supplement with a JC or grad transfer here or there though.

However, in defense of JP, right now this class is 3 HS guys (Lawsons and Broddie), maybe 4 if the rumors that Marshall qualifies for 2015.

Now, if he closes it out with 3 JUCOs, then you're on to something.

However, I believe we land this kid when we do.

Can this Dude ball?

(03-26-2015 11:08 AM)Tigerbluesky Wrote:  Clip of him practicing on Christmas Day!! Appears to be dedicated to getting better if nothing else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDB41KQYryI

He needs to practice that desperation 3 as the shot clock winds down after a useless possession if he wants to play here.

(03-28-2015 01:15 PM)Rob Wrote:  

(03-26-2015 11:08 AM)Tigerbluesky Wrote:  Clip of him practicing on Christmas Day!! Appears to be dedicated to getting better if nothing else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDB41KQYryI

He needs to practice that desperation 3 as the shot clock winds down after a useless possession if he wants to play here.

LMAO!

http://www.wjhg.com/sports/headlines/NWF...63661.html

Florida St.

Well, allrighty then.