Florida Guard One to Watch

Florida is loaded with talent in the class of 2005, and it comes as no surprise that Dillard High School claims one of the top guards in the state in 6-foot-3, 190-pound combo guard Maxwell Dubois. He will be one to watch this AAU season with his Team Breakdown squad.

Dubois is the latest in a long line of top-notch players to come out of the powerhouse Dillard program. Nebraska signee Joe McCray, Los Angeles Clipper Keyon Dooling, Clarence Gilbert (former Missouri Tiger) and Oklahoma’s Jimmy Tobias each came from the Ft. Lauderdale school.

In December, Dubois broke onto the national scene with his showing at Hal Pastner’s National Academy Christmas tournament.

“I think a lot of eyes got opened up when we were there," he said. "I scored 25 points against Mater Dei and I was one of the better players in all of the statistical categories. That’s where people really got a chance to see me at my best.”

He keeps opening eyes this spring. In Team Breakdown’s first AAU tournament of the season last weekend in Orlando, Dubois was on fire at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

“I surprised a lot of people with my shooting because I don’t really shoot it too much outside in high school," he said. "We are more of a transition team. I hit no less than 20 threes in the five games we played in Orlando.”

Expect that kind of play all summer long, he says.

“This is a make or break summer, to tell you the truth," Dubois said. "My name wasn’t really put out there as it should have been after last summer, so now I’m just trying to get out there and get the most exposure possible. I think I can get it with Team Breakdown. I’ve got more coaches seeing me now.”

Dubois said he’s had interest from a variety of schools including Auburn, College of Charleston, Colgate, Florida, Marquette, Ohio, Rice and Wofford. The Golden Eagles and the Ohio Bobcats have made contact during the live period.

“I’m just a surprising player," he said. "You never know what to expect. I just like to player better each time I step on the floor. You have to have fun and let the game come to you. I think if you try to force the issue you really take yourself out of the game. If you let it come to you, you play your game and coaches see it.”

Dubois averaged 14 points, six rebounds and six assists as a junior.