Evin Graham has made his college decision on the first day of the early signing period. Graham, who was down to a final five schools consisting of Citadel, Stetson, Colgate, High Point and Columbia is headed to Deland, Florida for his college career.

Evin, a 6’3, 175 pound point guard, from Fort Myers High School, averaged 13.7 points, 4.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game last season. Graham helped Fort Meyers High School, make history by becoming the first high school in the South West Florida area to capture a boy’s basketball state championship.

Devontae Morgan

Morgan, a 6’3 2012 shooting guard from Tampa Prep, is fresh off a 2A state championship run that ended in a loss to Providence Christian by 12 points. Devontae promises another appearance this year: “With last year’s loss in the state championship game, it just motivates me and my teammates to work harder everyday to get back to Lakeland this year.” Devontae currently holds scholarship offers from UCF, USF, Butler, and Stetson University, all while only a junior. With schools like FSU, Colorado, East Carolina, Clemson, FAU, and UNF hot on his trail, Morgan is wide open with his recruitment. With the fall recruiting period passing, USF, UCF, and FAU all made it a point to come in and evaluate Devontae.

Coming off a productive sophomore year where the spotlight was shared with upperclassmen, Morgan was still a major contributor to an impressive 26-5 final season record. Devontae averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals per game last season, which he plans to improve for his upcoming breakout season. Morgan plans to make the transition from a shooting guard to a scoring point guard. We believe that with his current skill set it is a very possible maneuver with hard work. Devontae is a big time athlete, with the ability to score in a wide variety of ways, including jaw dropping dunks. He is solid shooter from behind the arc, but has room for improvement. Morgan has a good handle, with his ability to blow by his defender at any time.

Devontae played his summer travel ball with the Florida Rams under director Matt Ramker, where he received exposure allowing him to prove himself as a college prospect. To acquire Morgan’s services, a college has to have a good academic background, be able to offer him solid playing time as a freshman, a provide skill development to make him better.

Tyler Bergantino

Tyler is a solid center position prospect inside of the 2012 class. Standing at a height of 6’8, 255 lb, Tyler has a very wide body frame, which he uses effectively in the paint. Bergantino has a soft touch in the paint and can step out to 15 feet to knock down the open jumper to keep his post defenders honest. Athletically, Tyler throws it down with ease, which surprises many because of his frame. Defensively, he must get better laterally, but from a rebounding stand point, Bergantino is certainly ahead of the pack, using his body aggressively, showing he is not afraid to bang with any opponent.

Tyler is currently holding offers from Buffalo University, USF, and Ohio University, but we expect this list to continue to grow. On top of the schools who have offered him, Bergantino has a number of schools calling his number: Alabama, Georgia Southern, Auburn, and Clemson, just to name a few.  Although Tyler is a much sought after junior recruit, only Georgia Southern has been down to see him this fall.

Bergantino averaged a solid double-double last year, with 16 points and 11 rebounds, but elevated his game to a new level with the start of the playoffs, averaging 21 points and 16 rebounds. With such impressive stats Bergantino was named Hernando County player of the year.  Tyler led his high school team, Nature Coast High, to a whopping 29-4 record, making them a force to be reckoned with. Tyler also had a very impressive summer making his presence felt on the AAU circuit playing for Florida Elite 17U while only being 16 years old under Director Conrad Foss.

“To be honest I’m looking for a great relationship with the coaching staff. Someone that I can trust and someone who can trust me” states Tyler when asked the major factor in his future college decision. Bergantino has high hopes and a strong determination to lead his team to state this year, and with all last year’s starters returning, we would not put it past them to make a lot of noise in class 4A.

Brandon Channer

6’3 combo guard, Brandon ”Kyle” Channer, is a very interesting prospect inside of the 2012 class. Channer has shown the ability to play the point guard position, but is currently still transitioning from the two guard spot. Brandon has a nice stroke from behind the arc, and shoots it consistently when he limits himself to catch and shoot threes. He is a big strong guard, and does a great job of using his size and strength to rebound well for his position. He possesses a “hammer and nails” handle, which he uses to get to the cup and has the athleticism to dunk on you.

Channer, who plays at Blake High School in Tampa, Florida, has really exploded on the AAU scene this summer, playing for SEBA Select and Coach Mike McManamey. His stellar play in July earned him interest from a number of schools, including: Boston College, Florida State, Stanford, American, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, VCU, N. Florida, Liberty, Highpoint, UTEP, Gardner Webb, and Stetson. Brandon also prides himself on his work ethic in the class room, as he carries over a 3.0 GPA.

According to Brandon, a number of schools attempted to make the trip down this fall to see him workout, but they were unable to use the school gym. Channer knows exactly what he is looking for in a college program. “I’m looking for a college program that develops their players, preparing them for the next level, also, where I can play the point guard position. I would like to play in a system that wants to push the ball up the floor, uses a number of pick and rolls, and a program that really prides themselves on defense.” – Brandon Channer.

After locking in a very solid sophomore campaign averaging 10 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal per game last year, Brandon really looks to take his game to the next level this season. One of his main goals is to help his team to improve from last year’s 25-5 record and make a deep run into the playoffs. Brandon realizes what it takes to play at the next level and displays a tenacious go get it work ethic.

Greg Louis

After much anticipation we are excited to announce that Greg Louis of Dwyer High School has officially announced his decision to verbally committ to University Of Pennsylvania.. Coach Jerome Allen and the Pensylvania Quakers are getting a steal in Louis. Greg had a very solid junior campaign, locking in 10 points and 8 rebounds a game last year for Dwyer and had an even better summer playing for the Florida Elite program with director Conrad Foss.

After a much heated recruiting battle for Greg’s services, there were two schools that emerged as front runners: Tulane University and University of Pennsylvania. Greg took an official visit to both schools before deciding.

When asking why University Of Pennsylvania won his services he had this to say, “ Penn is a great school with great tradition, both basketball wise and academically.” Greg is very competitive and is a very hard worker: we believe that he will be very successful in his college career. Greg is also a very humble individual and was quoted in saying, “ I am very excited about my decision, but I have a lot of work ahead of me. I’ll celebrate when I’m playing for the Lakers.”

Dillon Graham

Dillon Graham, a 6’2 guard, from the Orlando First Academy,  is receiving a lot of recruiting attention from college coaches during the beginning of his junior year. Dillon averaged 15.5 points, 3.2 assists, and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 50.4% from the three point line and 81% from the free as a sophomore. Graham helped lead First Academy to a 24-4 record, earning 3^rd team All State, and 3^rd team All Area by the Orlando Sentential.

Dillon earned valuable experience and exposure this spring and summer playing 16’s and 17’s for the prestigious Each 1 Teach 1 summer travel basketball program. The Austin River’s led Each 1 Teach 1 program captured the AAU Super Showcase championship live on ESPN in July.

Dillon’s goal for his junior season? Simple: make a deep run into the state playoffs for class 2A. Considering First Academy’s success last season, and the Royals returning every player from a District Championship team, Graham’s goal is certainly achievable.

“I am looking for a highly rated academic school with a high placement rate after graduation. A strong alumni base is a plus. It must also have a solid and stable basketball program with first class facilities & gymnasium. I am also looking to be a part of a program known for its high character across the board in teammates, coaches & support staff. The basketball program needs to be in a highly competitive conference with the opportunity for post-season play.” – Dillon Graham, on what he is looking for in a college program.

Xavier, Princeton, Columbia, Iowa, Fairfield, Richmond, Liberty, Belmont, Florida Atlantic, Stetson, Jacksonville, Boston College, and Colgate have all been in to see Graham since September 9^th. Dillon is also receiving interest from Vanderbilt, Elon, Appalachian State, UCF, Bucknell, Winthrop, Davidson, Florida Gulf Coast, College of Charleston, Southeastern Louisiana, and Baylor.

Gibbs High School product, Quincy Ford, has made his decision. After trimming his list from UNCW, Bryant, West Point, and North Florida down to two schools: Northeastern and Stetson last week, Ford decided to commit to Northeastern University Sunday night. Quincy helped lead the Gibbs Gladiators to a 16-5 record as a junior, earning third team all South Division Pinellas County Athletic Conference and honorable mention all Pinellas County.

“I felt they were the best fit for me academically and were a great fit for me on the court. I thought both Stetson and Northeastern were great, and I felt very comfortable with both of their coaching staffs, but I felt more comfortable at Northeastern.” – Said Quincy Ford

Ford is a 6’7 skilled wing, who can start the break as a point-forward. He handles the ball well enough to take quicker guards off the dribble, and he displays great court vision. He shoots the ball very well for his size, and does a great job of using his skill set to create high percentage shots for his teammates. He is an above average athlete, but needs to use his size to do a more effective job on the glass. Overall, Quincy is one of the state’s biggest sleepers as a prospect.

Northeastern University is coached by Bill Coen and earned a 14-4 record in the Colonial Athletic Association and an overall record of 20-13. Northeastern received a bid to the NIT where they lost to University of Connecticut last season.

Quincy Ford Highlight Video – http://www.floridahoopsrecruits.com/quincy-ford-highlight-video-aau-qualifier/

Chris Bryant

6’8 forward Chris Bryant is one of the top uncommitted seniors in the state of Florida. Chris, who plays his high school basketball at Rickards High School and his travel basketball with Nike Team Florida, has received interest and several division one offers from this summer and fall.

Bryant has already locked in offers from Murray St, Texas A&M, TCU, Col of Charleston, UNCW, and FSU. Chris has reported that he is also hearing from mid major and high major programs such as Alabama, UCF, USF, Ole Miss, Marquette, Stanford, Rice, Georgia, and OSU. To date, he has not set up any official visits, but plans on trying to take some this fall. Marquette, UNCW, Rice, FSU, and USF are the programs that have really caught Bryant’s eyes so far, and he is looking to commit between the middle and end of the high school season.

“I want a good program with great basketball history, a school that is close to home, but not too close, and a just overall everything included good school.” – Chris Bryant, on what he is looking for in a college program.

Bryant locked in a great junior campaign for Rickards High last year, averaging 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. Chris led his team to a dominating 27-0 record and a 3A state championship win over Kentucky freshman phenom, Brandon Knight and then reigning state champions Pine Crest.