Recruiting

Want to play for The Rock? Learn how our program can help you achieve your basketball dreams. Email us at contact@therockhoops.org to start your journey today.

THE ROCK SCHOOLJOIN THE LIONS

We value hard work and a commitment to the best in all areas. That’s why students receive opportunities to grow in academics, character, leadership, service, the arts, athletics, and their faith.
DRIVEN
The Rock School is nationally accredited and launched its International Baccalaureate program for juniors and seniors in 2023. All other grades will receive IB programming starting in 2024.
ACCESSIBLE
We gladly welcome others into our school family, both from our area and around the world. Our student body is about 570 each year, with 30 international students joining us annually.
EXPERIENCED
Most of our teachers have spent more than a decade in our classrooms, using a variety of curriculum programs to offer the highest quality education and support to our learners.
Everything we do is rooted in the Christian faith and founded upon God and His Word. We provide a protected and loving atmosphere where students can grow into the person God has called them to be.

OUR SUCCESSBY THE NUMBERS

The Rock emphasizes player development and collegiate preparation to help all of our student-athletes find success on and off the court.
01234567890012345678900123456789001234567890

PROGRAM FOUNDED

The Rock has provided mentorship, exposure, and elite player development to hundreds of student-athletes over nearly three decades, including dozens of international players.
0123456789001234567890

NCAA DIV. 1 PLAYERS

Our athletes get national exposure and help navigating the college recruitment process, enabling them to continue their playing careers at major and mid-major programs around the country.
01234567890

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

As the winner of three of the last six state titles, The Rock is a charter member of the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association and won it all in 2013, 2018, 2019, and 2022.
01234567890

NBA MVP

2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid spent his senior season leading The Rock to a 33-4 record and state championship before going to Kansas University and, later, the Philadelphia 76ers.
Head Coach Justin Harden

MEET COACH HARDEN

As longtime head coach of the basketball program’s National Team, Justin Harden’s teams have won four SIAA state championships and at least 20 games in all but one season.

Harden leads a coaching staff that has developed more than 50 collegiate basketball players and six Division 1 point guards, including University of Florida star and 2014 SEC Player of the Year Scottie Wilbekin — leading several college coaches to refer to The Rock as PG High.

Harden holds multiple degrees in exercise and sports sciences, a bachelor’s from the University of North Carolina and a master’s from the University of Florida.

OUR FACILITIES

State-of-the-art equipment and amenities serve as the cornerstone of The Rock's basketball program, providing our athletes with the perfect environment to hone their skills and reach their full potential.
Modern gym
Fully furnished with six hoops and wood floors updated this year.
Strength training
Weight room with advanced equipment and expert guidance.
Shooting instruction
Work with the best shooting coach in the country.
Multiple locker rooms
Well-equipped team areas with storage, showers, and cold tubs.
Full-service training
Dr. Dish shooting machines, film study room, and recovery areas.
Vertical & speed experts
Train with NUMA Speed to increase bounce and footspeed.
https://therockhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/rockgym-1.jpg

FEATURED ALUMNI JOEL EMBIID

Before becoming the 2023 NBA MVP and back-to-back league scoring champion, Joel Embiid transferred to The Rock for his senior year to seek more playing time. He led The Rock to a 33-4 record and our first state championship. As a five-star recruit ranked No. 6 on ESPN, Joel went to Kansas before the 76ers drafted him as the No. 3 pick — just two years after coming to The Rock.
https://therockhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joel-embiid-shadow2.png
Scottie Wilbekin playing with his professional basketball team

SCOTTIE WILBEKIN

After graduating early from The Rock, Scottie led the University of Florida to the NCAA Final Four in 2014 and won that year’s SEC Player of the Year and SEC Tournament MVP. He finished his career in UF’s top 10 in assists, steals, and games played before playing professionally in Australia, Asia, and the NBA.

Mitchell Wilbekin

MITCHELL WILBEKIN

Mitchell earned his spot on the National Team as a seventh grader. As a senior, he became The Rock’s all-time leading scorer and earned SIAA Player of the Year honors. Following a successful professional career in Europe and the NBA G League, Mitchell now works in the Memphis Grizzlies front office.

Jamari Wheeler

JAMARI WHEELER

The Rock won a school-record 35 games in Jamari’s 2016-17 senior season, where he averaged 16 points, six assists, five rebounds, and four steals per game. At Penn State, he earned back-to-back Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors and led the conference in steals per game. He now plays professionally in Europe.

Bryan Greenlee Jr.

BRYAN GREENLEE JR.

As a three-year starter for The Rock, Bryan played a pivotal role in the school’s 2019 state title as a senior. He transferred to FAU after a year at Minnesota. As a junior, Bryan led the Owls to C-USA regular season and tournament championships — along with a magical 2023 NCAA Tournament run to the Final Four.

OUR CURRENT RECRUITS

Our athletes' promising journeys highlight the push for excellence on and off the court. Check out their remarkable recruiting journeys and exposure on the national stage.
https://therockhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/evan-sterck-2024-1.jpg

POINT GUARD2
EVAN STERCK

6' 2'' / 2025

COMMITTED: JACKSONVILLE
•  4-Star Recruit (ESPN)
•  Must-Watch 2025 Prospects (PrepHoops)
•  2025 Rankings: Top 5 PG’s (PrepHoops)

https://therockhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/kentrell-martin-3.jpg

FORWARD15 KENTRELL MARTIN

6' 7'' / 2025

COMMITTED: TULSA
•  High-Upside Standouts (PrepHoops)
•  2025 Stock Risers (PrepHoops)
•  Eye-Catching 2025’s (PrepHoops)

https://therockhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/tayshawn-caesar-5.jpg

POINT GUARD0 TAYSHAWN CAESAR

6' 0'' / 2026

•  Top 10 Sleeper Guards (PrepHoops)
  Under-Covered Prospects (PrepHoops)

https://therockhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/joseph-hartman.jpg

GUARD10
JOSEPH HARTMAN

6' 5'' / 2026

  4-Star Recruit (ESPN)
  Top 30 Shooting Guards in US (ESPN)
  Top 20 Overall in FL (PrepHoops)

 

https://therockhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/tyler-bright-e1730155964421.jpg

FORWARD21
TYLER BRIGHT

6' 9'' / 2026

  Top 25 Any Class in NV (PrepHoops)
  Top 10 Bigs Any Class (PrepHoops)
  Top 10 Glass Cleaners (PrepHoops)

https://therockhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/colton-sembower-natl-2.jpg

GUARD14
COLTON SEMBOWER

6' 4'' / 2027

 Rising 2027’s to Know (PrepHoops)
•  5 Next Up Playmakers (PrepHoops)
•  4 Forwards to Know in 2027 (PrepHoops)

 

The Rock School

THE ROCK LIONS

9818 SW 24th Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32607
(352) 331-7625
contact@therockhoops.org

THANK YOU SPONSORS

Weseman Builders logo
maven
ues-footer
proforma-215
mcfall
crane-hyatt-footer
1hundred-png
Weseman Builders logo