Young FGB Team Good Enough for Elite Showing in 2021?
FGB has been gearing up for this and next season since the pandemic ended. FGB finished last year after having 17 players earn scholarships by ending their committed 2021’s season by telling them to stay home and finishing out the season with their 16U team as their top team much of the end of the summer. In July FGB had arguably the top 16U team in the country with wins over Team Curry, Tennessee Flight, Essence, and West Virginia Thunder ending as ATL Summer Slam Champions. The core of the team this year was built last year mainly around 2022 Kailyn Gilbert who recently committed to Arizona and Taliah Scott the top rated 2023 in Florida. In addition FGB had a strong front court with 6-4 posts Jada Jones 2023 // Sandalwood and Jordyn Byrd 2023 // Cardinal Mooney. FGB looks like a lock for a top 10 finish in the GUAA with this group returning and despite being young one of the best teams in Florida. Scott and Gilbert are a lot to handle at guard and add in 6-1 Guard Lexi Blue 2024 of Lake Highland and you have one of the best backcourts in the country. Despite only having 4 2022’s on the team talent wise this might be the best FGB team ever. Other returners include Tyja Bean 6-0 F 2023 of Spruce Creek and Sydney Roundtree 6-0 W 2024 of Bishop Kenny. Bean and Roundtree are big time athletes who have already played at an elite level on the circuit.
Key Losses: None
Key Additions:
Karina Gordon 5-8 Guard 2023 St Thomas Aquinas – Top 100 player nationally who previously played for the Miami Suns but took the 2020 pandemic season off. One of the top shooters and scorers in the state is a talented addition.
Jada Green 6-1 Forward 2022 St. Thomas Aquinas – Getting a lot of recruiting attention despite a year into the recruiting dead period. Green joins FGB after one season with the Miami Suns Team Fowles EYBL. Green is one of the best rebounders and forwards in the state. Green again like Gordon and Gustave is coming off a State Title at St. Thomas.
Breanna Gustave 5-8 Guard 2022 St. Thomas Aquinas – Gustave might have had the best 2021 so far of any player in Florida. Huge showing in the state title game and game winner over Ely to advance in the state playoffs. Gustave is still somewhat unknown because of her abbreviated season with the Miami Suns Team Fowles last year. With joining FGB it looks like D1 schools will begin lining up to recruit one of South Florida’s top talents.
Reese Tremitiere 6-2 Forward 2022 Gulf Coast – Another one of the top front court players in the state just made her decision to join FGB after playing with the Tampa Thunder in 2019 and Auburn Raptors in 2020. Tremitiere is a great finisher around the basket, imposing on defense, and has great size for her position. Another player who could have a breakout summer in July as recruiting re-opens.
Liv Fuller 5-10 Guard 2023 Clearwater – Another player coming off a big time high school season leading her Clearwater team to the State Final Four. Fuller is one of the elite competitors and athletes in the state already holding an offer from South Florida her recruiting is constant. Fuller has already posted two big weekends with FGB as they are off to a 6-0 start.
Top Team Projected Roster
Jordyn Byrd 6-4 Post 2023 Cardinal Mooney
Jada Jones 6-4 Post 2023 Sandalwood
Reese Tremitiere 6-2 Forward 2022 Gulf Coast
Jada Green 6-1 Forward 2022 St. Thomas Aquinas
Lexi Blue 6-1 Guard 2024 Lake Highland Prep
Tyja Bean 6-0 Forward 2023 Spruce Creek
Sydney Roundtree 6-0 Wing 2024 Bishop Kenny
Liv Fuller 5-10 Guard 2023 Clearwater
Taliah Scott 5-9 Guard 2023 Oakleaf
Karina Gordon 5-8 Guard 2023 St. Thomas Aquinas
Breanna Gustave 5-8 Guard 2022 St. Thomas Aquinas
Kailyn Gilbert 5-7 Guard 2022 Seffner Christian (Arizona)
