Florida Stock Risers: Prep/Post Grad
Adjusting to and managing 12-13 different personalities, with only a six and seventh month window to make the process work, is not a challenge for everyone.
At Prestige Sports Academy in Fort Lauderdale this past season, however, it proved to be a challenge well suited for Denis Woods.
A 6-foot-3 Class of 2026 combination guard, Woods shouldered the onus of leader for a team with local and international prospects, averaging a team best 21 points and a team-best 6.2 assists per game on Florida's competive prep circuit. He shot 41 percent from beyond the arc.
The Inglewood, Calif. native provided timely shot making and a refined one on one game which enabled him to free up space and score with efficiency.
At the same wavelength, Woods was an emotional and vocal leader who prides himself on all of the little concepts which impact winning.
Whether it was drawing fouls on both sides of the floor, digging in and taking a big charge, or sprawling out on the floor for a loose ball, the insatiable hunger for the game was evident in Woods' play.
Physical conditioning and toughness is a pre-requisite for playing a pivotal role at Prestige, under former University of Central Florida sharpshooter Brad Traina.
With an affinity for the workload and the unrequired work, Woods immediately seized the leadership reins on and off the court.
His positional uniqueness and wide ranging impact was noteworthy against IMG Academy, as he wound up submitting 34 points, eight boards and four assists.
During a five point loss to formidable national foe Academy of Central Florida, Woods scored 26 points to go with seven rebounds and five assists.
"Denis is a leader on the court and off it,' Traina said.
"A tremendous worker. He is driven by an obsession to get better every day. He is extremely competitive. He has been a consistent scoring presence, as he's a good shooter off the catch and off the bounce. Good athlete as well."
Estoyan Vargas, Miami Prep--The Class of 2026 guard plays with a mental moxie and a sustained relentlessness.
A hard nosed defender who instigates turnovers both on the ball and off the ball, Vargas is a tone setter with his play on this side of the floor.
As a three level scorer, he has added consistency and range.
He continues to improve his all around repertoire with manipulative one on one moves and the ability to open up space off the bounce.
He has played and guarded multiple positions and has a knack for scoring around the rim.
With his versatility, Vargas has turned in multiple games of 10 rebounds or more this season.
Hoani Ifopo-Togia, Academy of Central Florida: The 6-foot-5, 200-pound left handed guard has been a vital figure for one of the top shelf national programs.
As a hard driving source who leans on a fluid mid range game, the Class of 2027 Ifopo-Togia averaged 15 points per game and turned in multiple showings of eight rebounds or more and five assists or more.
He is growing as an explosive finisher who gets off the ground quickly and can erupt for that momentum bolstering dunk.
With his imposing physicality, the New Zealand native has been a confrontational one on one defender who continously annoys high scorers and elicits uncomfortable shots.
He averaged 21 PPG while representing New Zealand.