Article written by Montverde Academy student Cameron Robertson
Zeb Jackson
Zeb Jackson, a 6-foot-3 inch, 170-pound shooting guard, is looking forward to joining many of the great past and present basketball players who have played at Montverde Academy.
Over the summer, Jackson played for C2K Elite, an Under Armour sponsored basketball team. While averaging 11.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game, he led his team to a 12-2 overall record.
The 4-star recruit from Toledo, Ohio, is ranked 75 overall in the class of 2020, according to ESPN rankings. Throughout the past few seasons, Jackson picked up 17 offers from schools including, Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and others. In December of 2018, he committed to the University of Michigan, where he will be coached by Juwan Howard, a former member of the Fab Five. After retiring from the NBA, Howard was on the Miami Heat's coaching staff for six seasons, until taking the head coaching job at the University of Michigan.
Langston Love
Cade Cunningham will be joined by another member from the Lone Star State for the upcoming season – Langston Love. Love, a 6-foot-4 inch, 190-pound shooting guard, is a 4-star recruit from Cibolo, Texas. He is currently ranked 21 overall in the class of 2021, according to ESPN rankings. Playing for Houston Hoops, a Nike EYBL team, Love continued to impress scouts throughout the summer. He averaged 22.1 points, 2.4 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game during the EYBL while contributing to their 8-5 overall record. Going into the new season, he has received 13 offers from schools including, Villanova, Texas Tech, UCLA, and a handful of others. Love looks forward to further expanding his game over the next two seasons at Montverde Academy.
Day'ron Sharpe
Montverde Academy adds some size to their deep rotation with recruit Day'ron Sharpe. Sharpe, the 6-foot-10 inch, the 250-pound center, is from Winterville, North Carolina. He is currently 34 overall in the class of 2020, according to ESPN rankings. The North Carolina native decided to stay close to home, committing to the University of North Carolina last summer, where he will be coached under the legendary Roy Williams. As Sharpe adds to the list of greats who have played at UNC, he looks to do the same at Montverde Academy. The rim-protecting big man will bring much to the table as Montverde Academy aims for another National Championship.
Scottie Barnes
Another member of the USA basketball U19 team will be joining Cade Cunningham this year at Montverde Academy - Scottie Barnes. Barnes was another internal piece in the USA's gold medal run in the U19 Basketball World Cup. Coming from West Palm, Florida, the 6-foot-9 inch, 210 pound power forward won't have to travel far from home. Barnes, a five-star recruit, is currently ranked 9th overall in the class of 2020, according to ESPN rankings.
Along with his performances for Team USA over the summer, Barnes impressed throughout the Nike EYBL. Playing for Nightrydas Elite, he averaged 18.1 points, 6.8 assists, and 8.3rebounds per game, leading the team to a 10-8 record. His play thus far in his high school career has grabbed the attention from top college programs across the country. Barnes is currently undeclared, but has received scholarship offers from Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Oregon, and many others. He has already won multiple state championships and a gold medal, but Barnes will look to check a National Championship off the list in his time at MVA.
The Eagles are currently ranked No.4 in the nation and look to pursue their fifth National Championship trophy in 2019-2020 season.
