SARASOTA, Fla. - Now in its seventh year, The Workout sponsored by Tom Topping and Nike Team Florida has become an annual stop on the recruiting trail. Just like every other year, the juniors and seniors went on Saturday while the freshman and sophomores will hit the floor on Sunday. Leading a talented group on the first day of action was rapidly rising senior big man Joel Embiid.
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Fall decision coming
A little over a week ago, we listed Embiid at the top of our list of currently unranked players who we would have our eyes on during the high school season. With his play on Saturday, the 6-foot-11 center from Gainesville (Fla.) Rock School left no doubt about who was the best player and prospect in the gym. And he will definitely be making his way into the final rankings come spring.
A native of Cameroon, Embiid only took up the game of basketball about a year ago, and the 17-year old is making rapid strides. He has to get a little more flexible and add strength, but he is a high-level rebounder, alters shots, has good hands and does a good job of establishing and holding position. The form on his jump shot is good, and he's already developed a strong spin move that he's comfortable using to go right or left.
"I think I would like to visit Virginia, Kansas, Florida and maybe some of the others," Embiid told Rivals.com. "I want to sign early."
For Embiid, the move to the states was more about educational opportunities, and now basketball is opening several doors. So it's no surprise to see that academics will be important, as will finding a place where he can continue to adjust to American life.
"First for me is academics," Embiid said when asked what he's looking for in a school. "A good coach and good people around who can help me get better. I'd like a coach that knows my game and how to get me better."
Marshall hopes for big year
With his senior season only a few months away, 6-foot-3 wing Morris Marshall is hoping to finish his high school career in style. If Saturday was a preview to his season, then the high-flyer from Lake City (Fla.) Columbia is priming himself for a strong finish.
One of the best athletes in the event, Morris is a big-time finisher in transition who was knocking down 15-20 foot jump shots. He looks to have improved his handle some, and he's got the ability to put the ball on the floor.
A good student with a 2.9 core GPA and a qualifying ACT score, Marshall is ready to go academically. Now it's just a matter of catching the right school's eye.
"It's been pretty quiet right now," said Marshall. "I've got Seton Hall and Central Florida on me some. I hope more schools will recruit me."
He's still a bit on the raw side, but 6-foot-8 junior Dan Manzi from Tampa (Fla.) Tampa Bay Christian has a chance to develop into a quality big man. He's big, he's strong, he has length and he doesn't seem to mind mixing it up in the paint a bit. Next for him is to develop a couple of reliable low post scoring moves.
A 6-foot-5 senior, Marcus Hill has the look of a guy who has probably played mostly in the post, but the product of Armwood High School looks like he would be a good fit on the wing. He hits spot jumpers from 12-17 feet, runs the floor well, was one of the day's better defenders and will go get on the glass.
One of the best wing athletes in the gym was 6-foot-3 shooting guard Craig Wilmore from Daytona (Fla.) Mainland. The high-flyer picked a couple of missed shots out of the air to ram them home with violent slams, and he also knocked down his fair share of perimeter jumpers. Depending on what type of in-between game the junior develops, his stock could rise pretty quickly.