By JACK LeGWIN
One of the top players in Florida, Juwan Durham is ready to show that he is the man.
Not only at Tampa Prep, but in the state.
Durham, currently averaging 23.1 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game, has continued to draw significant attention over the past year after playing with both Team Breakdown during the summer, as well as leading Tampa Prep to the State Championship game last year.
This year, he is looking to do the same, and he has done so up to this point, leading the Terrapins to a 14-1 record. Most recently in a 72-49 win over district rival Brooks DeBartolo, Durham tallied 34 points on 14-15 from the field, 17 rebounds and 10 blocks.
“Season is going well,” Durham told SNY.tv after the win. “Fourteen and one right now, and just looking toward the next game. We just know that we have to stay focused on that prize, we have to focus on the big picture.”
The past three years in Florida, the Mr. Basketball award had been dominated by Joel Berry. Now with Berry gone to UNC, Durham has become one of the possible choices for the award, alongside players like Antonio Blakeney, Zach Brown and Dewan Huell. Despite his stellar play up to this point in the year, Durham said that he didn’t even know that he was in the conversation for the honor.
“I was not aware of that actually,” Durham said with a smile. “That’s kind of a shock to be honest with you. I’m just blessed that God blessed me with the ability to play basketball. But I’m pretty excited about that, I didn’t even know that.”
Durham, at 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan is currently ranked No. 18 in the class of 2016 nationally, and No. 2 in the state of Florida by 247 Sports. He says that while there are a lot of schools pursuing him, most of them are showing an equal amount of interest.
“All of the schools are pretty even right now,” Durham said. “Miami came to practice yesterday, I spoke with UConn a little bit not too long ago, as well as Villanova. But it’s even right now, all schools are showing love.”
Durham says that he will take some visits in the not too distant future as well, with Florida leading the way.
“I’m planning on taking some visits soon, but I’m not sure what order I’m going to take them in,” Durham said. “I know I’m going to go back to Florida to see how the school is with students on campus. I plan on probably go to some other schools as well.”
Durham currently has offers from Florida, Kansas, Miami, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Louisville, Memphis, NC State, Oklahoma, Ole’ Miss, South Carolina, South Florida, Texas and Texas A&M.
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