BY Nick Williams
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA Nearly 100 high schools boys basketball players from Florida participated in the Southeast Basketball Academy Showcase Saturday at Tampa Prep in hopes of catching the attention of a few college coaches in attendance.

The high school players, who traveled from Hernando County, Dade County, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Hillsborough County, did individual drills, played in 3-on-3 scrimmages and full court scrimmages. Scouts from Division II, III, NAIA and JUCO schools were in attendance.

Michael McManamey, a former Jesuit standout who went on to play at Florida Southern, is the Florida director of the SEBA. Three years ago, he helped organize the first showcase in Atlanta and in the last two years, he organized a fall and spring showcase in Tampa.

“Our goal is to give kids exposure to get recruited,” McManamey said.

Among the Hillsborough County players were Newsome senior forward Dylan Fugate, Armwood senior guard Adam Sollazzo, Berkeley Prep senior guard Zak Kazanski and Durant junior guard AJ Garden. A number of underclassmen, like Sickles sophomore guard Jordan Davis, also participated. 

“I thought I did pretty good,” Sollazzo said. “I thought there was a lot of talent out here.”

“It’s a big help,” said Fugate, who attended the showcase last fall. “Most exposure things are in Orlando or Gainesville.”

During the full court scrimmages, players who may play against each other during the season became teammates. Sollazzo, Fugate and Tampa Bay Tech senior guard Dezmond Walker, who all compete within the same district, played on the same team at one point and looked pretty good doing it.

Some other local players that stoodout were Plant junior guard Sheldon Cooley, who had a few dunks and some no-look passes, 6-foot-6 Brandon forward Marcus Morrison, who also had a few dunks and rebounded well, and Middleton senior guard Khiry Anfield, who caught the eye of plenty coaches with a few fast break dunks. One player to look out for this season is 6-3 Spoto senior Leon Jones. Jones had a few key blocks and posseses an exceptional leaping ability.

Last week, SEBA held a showcase for girls basketball players. McManamey said at least 60 girls and 12 coaches were in attendance.

A Tampa resident, McManamey said he wants to help young basketball players in the area with recruitment. He understands football and baseball get most of the attention in Florida.

“We want to try and build it up here,” he said. 

For more information on the showcase, visit www.southeastbasketballacademy.com.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.