Grassroots Introduction: Candace Parker Hoop Dreams Elite
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Now that we are moving into the 2022 grassroots season, I wanted to take the time and introduce several of the Florida programs over the next month or so. I’ll have articles specifically for teams in Florida as we highlight…
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Continue ReadingNow that we are moving into the 2022 grassroots season, I wanted to take the time and introduce several of the Florida programs over the next month or so. I’ll have articles specifically for teams in Florida as we highlight them. Below is a look at the Candace Parker Hoop Dreams Elite program based in Orlando. They have been around since 2018 and are one of the three Adidas circuit teams in Florida.
Hoop Dreams Elite was started four years ago due to the graduating class of 2022 they began with, and it was founded by Darren Evans and Bruce Gillard. Here are a few core things they believe in: “Effort on defense, it is never ok for one of our players to take a defensive possession off. Ball movement on the offensive end is something we preach daily. The pass to the open player is always the right play, no questions asked.” With those values, they currently have four girls’ teams with players located all over the state from Jacksonville to Orlando to Tampa and the Gulf Coast.
Since this program was created for that 2022 class, this will be their first group heading off to college. This year they’ll send off: Cerina Rolle Cerina Rolle 5'8" | SF Eustis | 2022 State FL (FGCU), Ajalon Gillard Ajalon Gillard 5'9" | CG West Orange | 2022 State FL (FAU), Kamryn Bullock Kamryn Bullock 5'10" | SF East River | 2022 State FL (Aurora University), Milahnie Perry Milahnie Perry 5'7" | CG Carrollwood Day | 2022 State FL (Air Force), and Stefanie Ingram Stefanie Ingram 5'7" | CG Lake Highland | 2022 State FL (UCF). Outside of those 2022’s, they have Madelyn Leslie Madelyn Leslie 5'10" | SG Gulf Coast | 2023 State FL who has recently committed to University of Tampa as well as players like Hannah Kohn Hannah Kohn 5'9" | CG Hagerty | 2023 State FL , Ace Sturdivant Ace Sturdivant 5'10" | CG Clearwater | 2023 State FL , Leah Bullard Leah Bullard 6'1" | SF Dr Phillips | 2024 State FL , and LeighAnn Hanley LeighAnn Hanley 6'1" | SF Carrollwood Day | 2024 State FL who they feel are on similar paths as those 2022’s.
Here is a look at their rosters:
17U:
Hannah Kohn Hannah Kohn 5'9" | CG Hagerty | 2023 State FL | 5’9 CG | 2023
Notes: Three Level Scorer, Shooter, Tough Defender
Zoe Tennell Zoe Tennell 5'8" | CG The Villages | 2023 State FL | 5’8 G/F | 2023
Notes: Bruiser, Tough Defender, Finishes Through Traffic
Holland Harris Holland Harris 6'1" | SF Monteverde Academy | 2025 State FL | 6’1 G/F | 2025
Notes: Underrated, Plays on 17U & 15U, Rebounds, Runs the Floor, Finishes at the Rim
Annie Frost Annie Frost 6'0" | PF Windermere Prep | 2023 State FL | 6’0 F/C | 2023
Notes: Relentless, Physical, Works Hard
Madelyn Leslie Madelyn Leslie 5'10" | SG Gulf Coast | 2023 State FL | 5’10 SG | 2023
Notes: Stretches the Floor, Plays Smart, Scrappy
Ace Sturdivant Ace Sturdivant 5'10" | CG Clearwater | 2023 State FL | 5’10 CG | 2023
Notes: Sees the Floor, Three Level Scorer, Jack-of-all-Trades, Point Forward
Milan Santos Milan Santos 5'3" | PG Colonial HS | 2023 State FL | 5’3 PG | 2023
Notes: Attacks the Basket, Creative Dribbler and Scorer
Ella Ortman Ella Ortman 5'7" | CG Providence Of Jacksonville | 2023 State FL | 5’7 CG | 2023
Notes: True PG, Under Control, Shooter
Kiara Harris Kiara Harris 5'6" | CG Master's Academy | 2023 State FL | 5’6 CG | 2023
Notes: Floor General, Shooter, Makes Right Decisions
16U:
Alana Seward Alana Seward 5'6" | CG Eustis | 2024 State FL | 5’6 CG | 2024
Naomi Parker Naomi Parker 5'8" | PG Berkeley Prep | 2025 State FL | 5’9 G | 2025
Zoe Sedo Zoe Sedo 5'2" | PG Foundation Academy | 2024 State FL | 5’2 PG | 2024
Paige Atwater Paige Atwater 5'8" | SG Weeki Wachee | 2024 State FL | 5’8 SG | 2024
LeighAnn Hanley LeighAnn Hanley 6'1" | SF Carrollwood Day | 2024 State FL | 6’1 F/C | 2024
Sumayah Lewis-McIntosh Sumayah Lewis-McIntosh 5'10" | SF Lakewood | 2025 State FL | 5’10 F | 2025
Pink Sturdivant Pink Sturdivant 5'8" | CG Clearwater HS | 2025 State FL | 5’9 CG | 2025
Leah Bullard Leah Bullard 6'1" | SF Dr Phillips | 2024 State FL | 6’1 G/F | 2024
15U:
Mikayla Evans Mikayla Evans 5'9" | SG Lake Como Middle School | 2026 State FL | 2026
Taliyah Trent | 2026
Aniya Hester | 2025
Ariyana Hester | 2026
Alayiah Johnson Alayiah Johnson 5'1" | PG Windermere Prep | 2026 State FL | 2026
Jayla Johnson | 2025
Mackenzie Glass | 2025
Makayla Hill | 2026
Herva Brutus | 2026
Here is what Coach Evans said about their goals going forward: “The main goal for us every year is development. When you come play for Hoop Dreams Elite, you will get better. Honestly, we are looking to grow the program the right way with parents and girls that are fully committed and want to be here. We aren’t the type of program that tries to steal top players from others. We develop what we have in house.”