In our previous Off-season Update, we talked about the current roster, including the new additions to the team. These players make up 10 scholarship players, meaning there are 3 open spots to be filled by the coaching staff. We previously stated that we think these extra scholarships will be extended to an experienced point guard, an experienced stretch 4, and possibly another freshman or a mid-season transfer. Below we will speculate on who, specifically, these targets could be for FGCU.
Potential Targets
In 2021, there are so many ways to try and keep track of the transfer portal and general recruiting information. Social media is a big part of that as well as recruiting websites like Verbal Commits, 247, or even something like Rivals. Using the information and speculation from our previous roster breakdown and information available to the public, we have compiled a short-list of specific athletes that could join FGCU this summer. Recruiting is fluid and the content of this article could be outdated minutes after it is released but we digress. Below are some players that we could potentially see suit up for the Green and Blue next year.
The Point Guard / Combo Guard
We have speculated that the Eagles could be in search of another guard who can man the point and also slide into the rotation of guards for this team. Luis Rolón and Franco Miller Jr. are currently the point guards on the roster, with a couple of others who can take the reins from time to time. But having 3 guys who can run the point at a high level means the ability to have 2 of them on the floor at the same time without having to worry about fatigue or depth.
Tylor Perry
First off is Tylor Perry. Not to be confused with the famed actor/producer/director of the same name (different spelling), Tylor was a 3-star recruit (per Verbal Commits and 247) out of Spiro High School in Oklahoma. After high school, Perry attended a Coffeyville Community College, where he has been for the past 2 seasons. Over his JUCO career, Perry has played in 56 games, making 52 starts. Last season, the point guard averaged 17 points per game and led his team to a 20-2 record. He also shot the ball extremely well at 58% from the floor and 52% from downtown. Based on some highlights that we have seen, Perry looks extremely quick on both ends of the floor. At 5’11” / 173 pounds, he plays with speed and grit similar to former Eagle, Reggie Reid. He also likes to slash to the inside as he possesses a strong floater/step-back game similar to recent grad, Jalen Warren. Per verbal Commits, Perry has also received offers from Montana State, ETSU, Central Michigan, and Cal State Bakersfield. Perry would add quickness and shooting to the point guard position for the Eagles.
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/tylor-perry
Terry Roberts
Another player that the Eagles have been in contact with is Terry Roberts (I can already envision the “Scary Terry” moniker being used). Roberts is currently geographically close to FGCU as he has played the past 2 years at FSW, here in Fort Myers. There he has played in 50 games, making 20 starts, most of which came this past season. Most recently, the 6’3″ / 180 pound point guard averaged 15 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds while shooting 44% overall and 34% from beyond the arc. Roberts is an experienced player who could come in and be part of the rotation as he transitions to D-I ball. Based on video, he has the ability to contort his body around contact on the way to the hoop. He does this to an extent that defenders expect and anticipate it, leaving them off-balance and unprepared. Roberts ends up with open outside shots or opportunities for step-backs. Per Verbal Commits, he has received offers from a lot of schools including USF, Bradley, Wichita State, and St. Bonaventure, to name a few.
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/terry-roberts
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali has had an interesting career to say the least. He spent time at Eastern Florida State College under Coach Jeremy Shulman and alongside recent Eagles, Jalen Warren and Eli Abaev. After 2 JUCO years he transferred to Washington State where he played in 32 games (24 starts) and averaged 7 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds. Due to a coaching change, Ali decided to take his talents to Hawaii for his senior season but ended up sitting out the entire year due to medical reasons. Eventually, he was medically cleared and he chose to play his senior season at Portland. There, the 5’11” / 170 pound scoring guard exploded onto the scene. He started all 17 games, averaging 18 points 3 assists, and 3 rebounds on 42% shooting (43% from 3). He even dropped 19 against recent NCAA runner-ups, Gonzaga. Ali has a ton of experience in multiple systems. Based on footage we’ve seen, he looks to be a scoring point guard, more so than a facilitator. This would fit in well for FGCU as Rolón is obviously a facilitator first. Ali appears to have exceptional basketball IQ and knows how to not only survive contact, but also draw a lot of fouls. He has deservedly drawn a lot of attention and has received plenty of offers for his graduate season. These offers include, but are not limited to, Texas, Iona, East Carolina, and Central Michigan to name a few.
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/ahmed-ali
The Stretch 4 / Experienced Big
One big (pun intended) thing that has been missing from the program for years now is a scoring presence down low. FGCU went from a legend like Chase Fieler to Marc-Eddy Norelia to Demetris Morant, who developed a bigger offensive presence by his senior season. Since then there has been a lack of scoring from the forwards in the program. Dakota Rivers increased his average from 4 to 7 points from his freshman to sophomore year and has the opportunity to break out as a junior this upcoming season. Beyond him will be a pair of unproven freshmen in Andre Weir and Ja’Heim Hudson and a will-be sophomore in Zach Anderson who impressed on the defensive end but has a lot of development to do to reach his offensive ceiling. Because of all this, the Eagles will no doubt be looking to add a more proven and experienced scorer to pair with a guy like Rivers in the frontcourt. Below are some of those options that FGCU has been in contact with.
Filip Rebraca
In many ways, Rebraca is the ideal candidate for the Eagles. The 6’9″ /222 pound transfer had a highly successful career at North Dakota. Originally from Serbia, Rebraca has spent the last 4 years at North Dakota where he has played in 86 games, making 73 starts. Last season he averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds while shooting 51% overall and 38% from downtown. Rebraca tweeted a heartfelt explanation detailing the reasons surrounding his decision to transfer. Essentially, he requires in-person classes and North Dakota did not offer what he needs for his graduate studies. Fans may remember Rebraca from the Hilton Garden Inn Classic in 2019-20 when he owned the Eagles with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. Based on some highlights videos, Rebraca possesses rebounding prowess to go along with an overall polished post game and the ability to shoot a bit from the outside. He has also drawn interest from Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Wake Forrest, and several other strong programs. *#12 in video below*
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/filip-rebraca
Nikita Konstantynovskyi
Dissimilar from most of the other candidates we are listing here, Nikita will have 2 years of eligibility to his name. Hailing from Ukraine, the 6’10” / 220 pound big man has played 2 years of JUCO ball at Northeast Oklahoma Community College. This past season he played in 16 games, making 11 starts and averaging 8 points and 8 rebounds. Nikita is a crafty player in the post though he is not an outside shooter. Still, he possesses good quickness for his size. He has drawn the attention of schools like Tulsa, UC Santa Barbara, and Maine, among others.
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/nikita-konstantynovskyi
Melik Martin
Martin lacks the size that many of these other candidates possess. However, the 6’6″ / 200 pound forward makes up for it (and then some) with athleticism and versatility. Based on videos, Martin appears to be an athletic “4” but also has enough ball skills to potentially play the “3” as a wing in bigger lineups. He has spent his entire career at Monmouth. Up until this year, he was a solid rotational piece. Martin really broke out in his senior year though, increasing his scoring output from 5 to 13 points per game to go along with 6 rebounds an night. He has also developed into a really good shooter, converting 48% of his overall shots, 38% from deep, and 73% from the charity stripe. Martin has also received offers from St. Bonaventure and Rhode Island among others.
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/melik-martin
Carlos Rosario
Rosario is another exciting option with an interesting path. The 6’8″ / 220 pound forward hails from the Dominican Republic. He joined Pensacola State College and played well in a valuable bench role during his rookie season. Early in his sophomore campaign he suffered a season-ending injury. Rosario eventually healed and came back the following year only to average 15 points per game. Following that success, he transferred to McNeese State for this past season. Rosario had a strong year, averaging 12 points and 6 rebounds per game while shooting an impressing 63%. While he did not attempt any 3s, he is a consistent free throw shooter, converting at a 79% clip. Rosario possesses quickness in the post to go along with a bevy of moves and maneuvers to find the open shot. He has also drawn interest from Murray State, Southern Illinois, and others.
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/carlos-rosario-santo-domingo
Screecher Report 