As far as AAU programs are concerned, the Each 1 Teach 1 program has been as hot as anyone. Pumping out lottery picks Brandon Knight, Austin Rivers, D’Angelo Russell, and Ben Simmmons, they have produced just as many lottery picks as anyone in the country over the last 4 years. The program was started by Amare Stoudemire in order to give back to ballers in the central Florida area. However, the Each 1 Teach 1 Premier Exposure Showcase wasn’t about their AAU program; It was about the entire state of Florida.
Event director Steven Reece could care less about what programs kids played for. He wanted to make the matchups that everyone wanted to see. Plugging teammates against each other, in fact. The event was not about one particular AAU program. It was about the entire state of Florida and giving players the opportunity to get exposure on the national level. As one can imagine, competition via local rivalries was fierce and because of that, recognition was earned and scholarships have already been given because of that.
Here are a few of the guys who showed out at the E1T1 Premier Exposure Showcase:
Ronaldo Segu, 6-2, PG, Orlando Christian Prep, 2018
Straight up stealing the show with his exciting style of play, Ronaldo Segu showed everyone in the building why five million people have watched his videos on YouTube. His shifty handle, blazing quickness, and ability to change speeds let “Rondo” get in the paint any time he wanted. At just 6-foot, he had the play of the event, banging on a taller defender who shall go nameless. Needless to say, it was clearly evident why Segu is a high-major playmaker at the collegiate level.
Darius Days, 6-7, PF/SF, The Rock School, 2018
Easily the best rebounder that we saw in Orlando, Darius Days also showed that he’s a lot more skilled than people give him credit for. He has a great frame, a early career Kenneth Faried motor, and surprising range out to the three point line. Already owning offers from numerous big time programs, Days definitely has the package to develop into a high energy face-up four down the road.
CJ Walker, 6-6, SF, Orlando Christian Prep, 2019
A guy who has been simply blowing up as of late, we saw what the countless big time programs have been seeing in the emerging wing. The big time athlete defended multiple positions, crushed the rim in transition, and got to the rack easily as a straight line driver. Throw in the fact that he shot it well from beyond the arc and it is evident why Walker is one of the hottest names in the 2019 class.
Michael Devoe, 6-4, PG/SG, Oak Ridge, 2018
One of the smartest players in the event, Devoe had to make an early departure to workout for Stanford at his high school later in the evening. Not only does he boast a 4.5 GPA, but can really go on the hardwood as well. The lefty lead guard has outstanding vision, shot the ball well from deep, and made some perfect reads coming off ball screens. With nearly a dozen BCS offers, it’s evident that Michael Devoe has an incredibly bright future, on and off the hardwood.
Antwann Jones, 6-6, SG/SF, Oak Ridge, 2018
The most highly touted player in the event only played one game due to a practice for college coaches later, but it was evident why is ranked in the top 25 by just about everyone for the class of ’18. A natural bucket getter, Jones had no problem scoring from all three levels. He shot it well from deep, showed off a nice pull-up off the bounce, and banged out anytime that he got near the rack. The physically punishing wing also posted smaller defenders and simply went through them when attacking the cup.
Zimife Nwokeji, 6-7, PF, Maclay School, 2019
A player that we were not hip to coming into the event, Zimife Nwokeji immediately stood out to us with his package of size, athleticism, and motor. Watching him a second game, we saw that he had some intriguing skills, too. Zimife handled the ball well in transition, showed off potential shooting to mid-range, and the ability to go by slower big men. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that immediately following the event, Virginia Tech became the first of many high major schools to offer Zimife a scholarship.
Tre Mann, 6-2, PG, The Villages Charter, 2019
One of the players that everyone told me that I needed to check out was Tre Mann and it was easy to see why. The cerebral lead guard shot it well from the perimeter, had some crafty finishes at the rack, and made heady plays with the ball in his hands. Still a bit unknown on the national level, Mann is known as one of the better young playmakers in the Sunshine State.
