Independent Top 10 team preview: No. 3 Montverde Academy

Anything less than a national title is a disappointment at Montverde, which means the Eagles enter 2016-17 with something to prove.

By
Nov 8, 2016, 9:00am
Video: Breaking down the Independent Top 10
R.J. Barrett, Eagles look to get Montverde back on top.

3. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)

Head coach: Kevin Boyle (645-141 career record)

2015-16 record: 26-2, No. 7 national ranking

PLAYERS TO WATCH

R.J. Barrett (6-6, So., G) … Led Montverde Academy in scoring as a freshman

Jake Betlow (6-2, So., G) … One of the top freshmen in New Jersey last season

Rechon Black (6-7, Jr., G) … Committed to North Carolina

Marcus Carr (6-2, Sr., G) … Native of Canada with several big time offers

Sandro Mamukelashvili (6-10, Sr., F) … Highly-touted addition from Republic of Georgia

Akol Maywin (6-8, Jr., F) … Newcomer has offer from TCU

Sean Mobley (6-8, Sr., F) … Committed to VCU

Andrew Nembhard (6-4, So., G) … Top 25 prospect in Class of 2019

Grant Shephard (6-9, Sr., F) … Led team to provincial title in British Columbia last year
Front row (L to R): Andrew Nembhard, Rechon Black, Marcus Carr. Back row (L to R): Head coach Kevin Boyle, Sean Mobley, R.J. Barrett, Grant Shephard, Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Front row (L to R): Andrew Nembhard, Rechon Black, Marcus Carr. Back row (L to R): Head coach Kevin Boyle, Sean Mobley, R.J. Barrett, Grant Shephard, Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Photo by Andrew Bershaw
STORYLINES

* There were some eyebrow-raising departures at Montverde over the summer. But after the dust settled, Boyle was left with a roster that more closely resembles his vintage teams going back to his days at St. Patrick in New Jersey. Last year's team was blessed with bigs and frontcourt length but this year's edition will be led by the backcourt of Barrett, Black, Carr and Nembhard.

* Canada has been very good to Montverde Academy in recent years. The 2015-16 team featured Class of 2018 Top 10 prospect Simi Shittu (who transferred to Vermont Academy) and Howard Washington. This year's squad includes four Canadians in Barrett, Carr, Nembhard and Shephard. Barrett – the No. 2 2019 prospect according to 247Sports – could be Boyle's next big star following the likes of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons.

KEY DATES

Nov. 19 – vs. Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.)

Dec. 16-21 – City of Palms Classic

Jan. 7 – vs. Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.) @ National Hoopfest

Jan. 12-14 – Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions

Jan. 16 – vs. Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) @ Spalding Hoophall Classic

Jan. 21 – vs. Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.) @ National Hoopfest

Feb. 2-4 – St. James Invitational

Look for an expanded preview of Montverde Academy on November 12.

Related Content