NCAA Basketball Recruiting: In-depth look at Montverde Academy 2019-20 roster
By Bryan Mauro
Montverde Academy Roster
The Eagles have a superstar starting five and loads of depth. The non-starters are not going to make it any easier on teams. Below is a projection of the starting five and the bench depth. This is likely to change.
Starters
Cade Cunningham
The senior is currently the second ranked player in the High School rankings according to 247 Sports. Cunningham enters his senior season at Montverde and is one of the most exciting players in High School basketball. He is a great passer and can attack the rim with explosiveness. There is not much he cannot do on a basketball court. His skills allowed Cunningham to work and play with Team USA and earn an invite to the NBAPA Top 100 camp.
The 6’6” guard originally from Arlington, TX looks to be the next Montverde player to be a top pick in the NBA draft. The guard is being recruited by a slew of schools, but many believe Oklahoma State is the favorite for his services. His brother was recently hired as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State and it would be likely for Cade to follow his brother to Stillwater. Wherever the guard ends up it will be a short single-season stay as the NBA is going to be calling.
Scottie Barnes
The Florida native transferred to Montverde this year from University School. The 2020 five-star prospect is currently ranked the No. 8 player in the country by 247 Sports. Barnes already is an elite defender. He is a forward who can defend every single position on the floor, and his versatility on the defensive end is going to serve him well in college.
The forward is a great rebounder who handles the ball well enough to lead the break. Barnes is a good finisher around the rim and a good enough shooter inside the arc. Many have projected him to be a top 5 pick in the NBA draft as well. Oregon is currently the front-runner for his services, but don’t be surprised if he chooses to stay home and attend Florida State and play for Leonard Hamilton. His game is tailor-made for the Seminoles style of basketball.
Moses Moody
The 6’5” wing from Arkansas is a tremendous shooter. He is going to be the guy for the Eagles who does most of the heavy lifting from deep. Moody is originally from Arkansas and is currently ranked as the 43rd best prospect in the 2020 class according to 247 Sports. The senior wing holds offers from Kansas and Big Ten and SEC schools. If his official visits are any indication as to where he is currently leaning Ohio State would be the front-runner. Moody will need at least a couple of years in college to reach his full potential. His defense is a work in progress, but he can be a quality defender and good rebounder.
Zeb Jackson
The senior point guard originally from Toledo, Ohio makes his way to the Florida powerhouse for his senior year. Jackson is one of the committed players to be playing for the Eagles this year. The point guard is committed to Michigan. He chose Michigan over a slew of other schools including Ohio State. Why is the 4-star 69th ranked player transferring to Montverde?
The school that Jackson originally played at in Toledo is small and he didn’t get much exposure. He also mentioned academics are important to him and he wants to start early on getting ready for the college regimen. While Jackson is not a surefire NBA talent like some of the others on his new team, he is still going to be a solid starter and contributor for Juwan Howard.
Day’Ron Sharpe
Sharpe is another committed prospect. The five-star No.19 ranked player in the country is headed to North Carolina after his senior year at Montverde. The big man is slated to begin his first season with Montverde after transferring from a high school in North Carolina. Sharpe is a physical center and at 6’10” and 250 pounds he is a load to deal with underneath as well. He has great hands and is already a great rebounder especially on the offensive end of the floor.
One thing he does need to refine is his touch around the rim. He does have the tendency to miss some short shots around the basket. Once he can refine that he should be a force underneath. He won’t be a one and done player but will still get drafted in the NBA. What round remains in the air.