Wilbekin, Harrell Have Good Showings at Fab-Frosh Camp
July 15, 2010

Freshmen Mitchell Wilbekin and Austin Harrell were among 150 rising freshman from around the country invited to participate in the 2010 Freshman All-American Camp held this year at the Chicago Bulls practice facility in Chicago, IL July 2-4. They join former TRS standout guard and current Florida Gator Scottie Wilbekin as the only players in school history to be invited to the event. Scottie attended the camp in 2007 in Philadelphia, PA with the likes of top 2011 recruit Michael Gilchrist.

Mitchell, who has played on the varsity squad at The Rock since the 7th grade, is the first from The Rock to be invited to play in the Top 20 All-Star Game. Selected by various scouting personnel and camp administrators, Wilbekin scored 8 points in the game. "It was a great experience and opportunity. I had a lot of fun," said Mitchell. When asked about the talent at the camp, Mitchell said, "There are some really good players out there. I have played against some of them in AAU when I was younger, so it was good to see how everyone has developed over the years."

Harrell, who sat out last season due to an injury, has been on the varsity team since he was in 7th grade also. Harrell had a good showing at the camp as one of only 3 players from the state of Florida who attended the camp. Playing most of the time at point guard, former TRS coah Svend Wilbekin, who attended the camp with son Mitchell and Harrell, said, "Austin played well considering he sort of played out of position at the point. He is more naturally an off guard who can penetrate to get his shot going to the basket, but showed some great ball handling ability at the point position."

Much attention has been focused on The Rock School's Scottie Wilbekin lately. The 6'2 guard and leading scorer for the basketball team has been in contact with Billy Donovan and the University of Florida Men's Basketball coaching staff to discuss becoming a Gator in the future. Only instead of the future being in 2011 when Wilbekin is scheduled to graduate the future may be 2010.

Discussions between Wilbekin, his parents Svend and Katy, and the Gator coaching staff have been going on for some time now as both sides consider the possibility of Scottie reclassifying to the 2010 class and graduating from high school a year early. "We’re still working everything out," said Wilbekin recently. "I’ve got to get okayed by the NCAA and I’ve got to get an SAT score so I really can’t say anything much for now.”

Many student-athletes have been known to reclassify so as to ensure they are more physically, mentally and emotionally prepared for the college game and life. But few choose to graduate early to start their college career when they could otherwise be a high school senior. but Wilbekin has always done things ahead schedule and the norm. Wilbekin started playing on the varsity team as a 6th grader and has been a starter since the 8th grade at point guard for a program that has gain much notoriety around the state of Florida and southeast region. "People outside of Florida know about our program. Much of that credit is due in part to the development of Scottie," said Coach Justin Harden who has coached Scottie since he was int he 7th grade. "If anyone is ready to make such a decision and jump, he is."

Wilbekin's development over the past 10 months is the main reason why an early commitment to Florida is possible. Last year many articles from scouts around the country praised Wilbekin's decision making, ability to run a team, ability to knock down mid-range jumpers, and provide leadership. In August, Wilbekin returned from a grueling summer AAU schedule in which he helped his team to a final four finish at the prestigious Peach Jam , and championships at the Wallace Prather Memorial Classic, Las Vegas Main Event and Dessert Duel in Phoenix, where he was named MVP of the event.

He decided to spend more time and effort in the weight room and working on his three-point shot which many of the scouts questioned. Most predicted he would be a solid mid-major recruit and possibly could elevate to a lower high major school. Despite interest from many SEC and ACC schools, Wilbekin got serious and took his game to a whole new level. "I knew Scottie was special and had great potential, but that only he could unleash it and take his game to the next level. And the only way to do that is through hard work," said Coach Harden. "When the season started, he was playing with confidence, but it continued to grow because he continued to lift throughout the season and kept getting stronger and better. And now he is able to do all of the things the scouts were questioning him on last year."

Recently Wilbekin and his Nike Team Florida team competed at the Boo Williams Tournament in Virgina in which they competed against other teams in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. His team completed the trip going 4-1 behind the leadership and scoring prowess of Wilbekin. In his final game of the event Wilbekin was perfect from the field going 12-12 from the field including 4 three-pointers and 4-4 from the line. "It a testament to the amount of work and time he has put in to getting better and not being satisfied with where he was. It's a great lesson for all high school players to learn."

For more articles on Scottie Wilbekin and his recruitment, visit GatorCountry.com.

Senior guard Dennis Mavin has committed to attend Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton next year. The 6'2 guard who is one the best guards in the state will play for Coach Mike Jarvis who is in the process of building a competitive program in South Florida.

Last year Gainesville High guard and 5A player of the year Greg Gantt went to FAU and became on the leading scorers on a young but talented team. This year, Coach Matt McCall came back to Gainesville looking for another explosive scoring guard. But unlike Gantt, Mavin will be able to put pressure on the perimeter and interior defense with his ability to attack the basket with dribble penetration. "We already have a pretty good back court with Ray (Taylor) and Greg (Gantt). But Dennis will be able to add another dimension and complement those two guys very well," said Coach McCall who has been watching Mavin since McCall was a undergraduate assistant with the University of Florida 8 years ago. "Dennis has a great opportunity to come in here and earn a starting spot or at least significant minutes with hard work, which we expect he will do."

Mavin chose FAU amidst a number of other offers and interest from schools such as Marshall, Fairfield, Northeastern, Fresno State, and Troy. "It basically came down to me being able to stay in Florida and play basketball at a good school for a good coach," Mavin said. "Coach Jarvis came to visit with me and my dad and was very honest with me about what he expected of his players and in particular me next year. I respect what he has done in his coaching career and feel like he could help make me a better player and person."

Gantt and Mavin are good friends and have remained in contact over the course of the year while Gannt was at FAU and got to convene in Boca Raton while The Rock boys basketball team was competing in the Kreul Classic in late December. "He told me he really enjoyed playing for Coach Jarvis and that I should come here next year. He told me the beach was only 10 minutes away. That  got my attention fast. But he also said that they (coaches) were interested in making you a better player and were willing to give you the opportunity to prove what you could do on the court. That is really important to me because I feel like I can play with anybody and want to have the chance to do that at the next level."

Mavin transferred to The Rock for his senior season and was a vital part to the the success of the team this year ehlping the Lions go 22-7. Mavin had big games scoring the rock including 29 against nationally known Quality Education (Winston-Salem) and 25 against Orlando Jones, 21 against Dwyer, and 18 against Providence. "I think Dennis had a good year considering the adversity he faced with the big expectations heading into his senior season and the major injury he suffered in December. That ankle sprain was bad and he was hobbled for several weeks and was never really the same as he was before it happened," said Coach Justin Harden. "before he got hurt, he was averaging over 20 points and after he only averaged about 15. But Dennis' 80% is most people's 100%. He is special player and person and I wish him the best moving forward."

Mavin's commitment to attend FAU marks the 5th NCAA Division I signee from The Rock and the 10th boys basketball player to attend college on a basketball scholarship since 2000. Mavin will sign his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, May 5th at a ceremony in the school's gymnasium at 2:30p.

The Rock School announced today in a meeting with FHSAA Executive Director Roger Dearing that is withdrawing from membership effective immediately. Read the full news release at: www.tinyurl.com/therockschool.