Gators trio, Cooper Flagg lead list of Orlando area players in NCAA Tournament
Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen, a product of Dr. Phillips, heads up a contingent of 19 former Orlando area basketball stars who will be part of the action as the men’s NCAA Tournament tips off at various sites around the country Thursday.
The Gators also have Sam Alexis (Apopka) and Isaiah Brown (Orlando Christian Prep) on the roster.
Aberdeen, a 6-foot-5 junior, averages about 20 minutes a game, as well as 8 points and 2 rebounds. He is usually the Gators first player off the bench in a sixth-man role.
Alexis’ status for the tourney is questionable because of a foot/ankle injury. The 6-8 junior forward has averaged 12 minutes, 5 points and 4 rebounds in 23 games.
Brown, a 6-4 freshman guard, has played in 17 games and scored 34 points and grabbed 18 rebounds.
The Rest
Cooper Flagg, Duke, Fr., 6-9, forward (Montverde):Flagg is the name people will likely hear most during the next month of March Madness. He is actually from Newport, Maine, but is one of nine former players in the tourney from nearby Montverde Academy in Lake County. Flagg had a severe ankle sprain last week in the Blue Devils’ ACC Tournament opener and his status is uncertain, but his coach Jon Scheyer said he is expected to play Friday.
Flagg has had a stellar freshman season for the Blue Devils and was picked as ACC player of the year. He is the fourth leading scorer in the conference at 18.9 points per game and is top 10 in rebounds with 7.5. He is also fourth in field-goal accuracy at 48.8%.
Riley Kugel, Mississippi State, Jr., 6-5, guard, (Dr. Phillips): Kugel started his career at UF before transferring. He is one of the Bulldogs’ top players, averaging 9.2 points per game. He has started 14 games, including the past nine.
Derik Queen, Maryland, Fr., 6-10, center (Montverde): Queen leads the Terrapins in scoring at 16.3 points per game, and in rebounding at 9.0. He also shoots 53% from the field. Queen is originally from Baltimore.
Asa Newell, Georgia, Fr., 6-11, forward (Montverde): Newell has started all 32 games for the Bulldogs and leads the team in scoring (15.3 points) and rebounds (6.8). He shoots 54% from the field. Newell is from Destin.
Liam McNeeley, UConn, Fr., 6-7, forward (Montverde): McNeeley is one of three UConn players who average 14 points per game. He also is second on the team in rebounds at 6.1.McNeeley is from Richardson, Texas.
Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga, Sr., 6-0, point guard (Montverde): The brother of former Gator and current Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, Ryan leads the way for the Zags with 10 assists per game and he also scores 11 a game. Started his career at Creighton. He is from Ontario, Canada.
Robert Wright III, Baylor, Fr., 6-1, guard (Montverde): Wright was named to the All-Big 12 freshman team this season. He has started 19 of 33 games for the Bears and averages 11.3 points and 4.3 assists. Wright is from Wilmington, Del.
RJ Melendez, Miss. State, Sr., 6-7, guard(Central Pointe Christian): Melendez has started 28 of 33 games for the Bulldogs, averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds. He started his career at Illinois and also played at Georgia.
Justice Williams, Robert Morris, Sr., 6-4, guard (Montverde): Williams has started 29 of 31 games for the Colonials, averaging 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Williams is from Philadelphia.
Zeb Jackson, VCU, Grad., 6-5, forward (Montverde): Jackson comes off the bench for the Rams and averages 10.4 points and 4 rebounds. He plays about 29 minutes per game. Jackson is from Toledo, Ohio.
Jadrian Tracey, Oregon, RS-Sr., 6-5, guard (West Oaks Academy): Tracey comes off the bench for the Ducks and plays about 14 minutes per game. He is averaging 7 points and 3 rebounds and shoots 48.9% from the field.
Selton Miguel, Maryland, 5th year, 6-4, guard (West Oaks Academy): Miguel has started every game for the Terps, averaging 12 points. He started his career at Kansas State and also played at USF.
Langston Love, Baylor, RS-Jr., 6-5, guard (Montverde): Love has started 10 games for the Bears and is averaging 8.4 points. He is from Universal City, Texas.
Ven-Allen Lubin, North Carolina, Jr., 6-8, forward (Orlando Christian Prep): Lubin is at his third stop after stints at Notre Dame and Vanderbilt. He averages 8.5 points and 6 rebounds and has started 18 games this season.
Thiam Abdoulaye, High Point, Jr., 6-4, guard (Dr. Phillips): Comes off the bench after starting all 36 games a year ago. He averages 6 points and has hit 50% from the floor in 14 minutes per game.
Jackson Cook, Arizona, RS-Fr., 6-3, guard (Montverde): Cook has only played in two games. He is originally from Oxford, England.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com@OS-ChrisHays.
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