2023 Tampa Bay Christmas Inv’l – 5 Class of 2024 D1 Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">By Michael Wholey 1/6/23 12:00 PM EST</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>The Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational wrapped up this weekend hosting 100+ teams from all over the country.  With over 100 teams in attendance, there were a ton of talented teams and players in the gym both from Florida and out of state.  We will break down the event all week.  In this take, we break down some of the class of 2025 top prospects that should be on D1 college prospects.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243885' first='Jada' last='Eads']</strong> (Lake Highland Prep) – 5'5 Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Eads transferred from Wekiva HS to Lake Highland Prep, in transferring her role has gone from having to be the do everything guard dropping 30+ points to a game to being surrounded by more talent, not needing to do everything by herself.  At 5'5, Eads is a small guard but she her height is an advantage on offense as she has a low center of gravity, an explosive first step, and is very hard to guard when she has the ball in her hands and is in attack mode.  Defenses that sag and give her space, Eads makes them pay by knocking down 3s from several feet beyond the arc and teams that guard her close, watch Eads leave them in the dust getting by defenders making them look like they are moving in slow motion, attacking the paint and getting to the rim with ease. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217668' first='Gianna' last='Corbitt'] </strong>(Blance Ely) – 6'0 Wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Corbitt is a versatile 6'0 player who mainly played the forward and center spot but can step out to the perimeter and playing the wing spot.  She served as Blanche Ely anchor in the paint, rebounding the ball and advancing defensive rebounds to start the break.  Corbitt has fifteen feet range, guard like skills, and a high IQ.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217664' first='Lexi' last='Blue']</strong> (Lake Highland Prep) – 6'1 Wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Blue has been considered a major D1 prospect for several years now due to her long, athletic build and great height.  Her body has filled out, growing a couple inches, and adding several pounds.  Her stronger frame allows her to absorb contact when attacking off the dribble and at the rim.   D1 coaches flocked to the sideline throughout the event to check out Blue and the rest of her talented Lake Highland Prep roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434911' first='Vivian' last='Iwuchukwu']</strong> (Montverde Academy) – 6'4 Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Iwuchukwu is long, strong, athletic and versatile and is a stock riser in the class of 2024.  She comes off the bench for Montverde Academy but players major minutes for the uber talented squad.  She runs the floor exceptionally well, creating opportunities for easy baskets by outrunning her opponents.  An elite level athlete, Iwuchukwu covers a ton of the ground and is all over the place as a rebounder, shot blocker, and perimeter defender.  She is a high major D1 college prospect that will be highly sought after by a number of coaches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Gabrielle Bush</strong> (Tampa Prep) – 5'10 Guard / Wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Bush is a versatile and talented perimeter player who can drop buckets in a hurry.  At 5'10, she can attack off the dribble, knock down 3s, and do everything in between.  She is a big guard / wing who is a scorer.  She is a matchup nightmare for most opponents because she can attack you in a variety of ways and is capable of playing inside and out based on who is defending her.  She has already received several offers and interest will continue to play with her continued stellar play!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Michael Wholey</strong> is the lead scout for Florida Prep Girls Hoop Florida and a former division one Assistant Coach at American University, University of Memphis, and Georgia Tech.&nbsp; Wholey and the rest of the Prep Girls Hoop staff, seek to cover the entire state of player, keeping subscribers up to date with player evaluations, recruiting info, and statewide news.&nbsp; Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information.&nbsp; If you have any information on players, teams, or statewide news in the state of Florida, emailing Michael Wholey at <a href="mailto:WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com">WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com</a> or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->