New Look RDA Program Will Bring Hidden Talent, Power In Numbers

Relocating to the burgeoning hoops hotbed of Orlando has enabled the program to make inroads, as RDA possesses a unique blend of both nearby and transplant talent.

The post graduate year is tailor cut for those who could really prosper with an additional year to refine areas of development within their game.

 While the seeds of the prep school operation initially took root in New England, the emergence of national brand name superpowers such as Montverde Academy, University School, and traditionally powerful IMG Academy have made Florida the ideal location for a prep basketball buildup.

A catalyst in both the rapid swelling of numbers and enticing ensemble of late blooming prospects at new look Red Devils has been coach Brad Traina. 

The former UCF sharpshooter, who authored an overseas professional career that spanned 10+ years before being sliced short due to nagging injuries, Traina is known as a ruthless recruiter.

His familiarty with the area and countless coaching connections throughout the country impacted the recruiting haul.

In scouring the country for unsigned Class of 2018 guys, he was able to solidify roster spots while competing against myriad in-state foes.

Also coaching a chock full of fringe prospects within the program is Ryan Rodriguez.

The South Florida native previously coached at The Conrad Academy in Orlando, where he forged a patchwork collection of unknowns into a sleeper post-grad team which registered an 18-7 mark.

By ingraining the team concept into a then-unproven core while simultaneously making accountability a bedrock tenet, Rodriguez built this memorable team similar to a small college program.

Led by a big-bodied 6-foot-2 guard in Karn Goraya, who routinely produced under heightened pressure, numerous nail-biters were won and dramatic OT thrillers were gutted out.

Goraya was a bullish guard and an outside shooter who knew how to impose his will and knock down timely, high-pressure shots.

The team’s layer of versatility and interchangeability soon became contagious, as guys assimilated to guarding and playing multiple positions.

Known for its vaunted perimeter attack (burying 12 or more 3-point field goals in 15 performances), Rodriguez’ memorable TCA team employed 11 deep comfortably.

 The system allowed for a revolving door of go-to sources throughout the season.

Buying into standard extra pass basketball and applying pressure all across the court, they defied the stereotype of prep basketball being jarringly akin to unwatchable AAU with selfishness and playground caliber sloppiness.

The revamped RDA program will get its first taste of national exposure this weekend during the Hoop Exchange All American jamboree in Apopka, Fla.

RDA essentially has the advantage of playing a home game, as all games are played at their own daily practice facility.

Hoop Exchange’s All American Jamboree is known to showcase hidden talent–the type of guys who can catapult from unknown to somebody very abruptly. A sea of college coaches will be in attendance, many leaving no stone unturned while assessing JUCO, post-graduate, and Prep prospects.

Last year, Believe Academy’s 6-foot-5 guard Dexter Dennis (now at Wichita State) erupted with his thrilling open court finishing and scoring aptitude at all three levels.

Dennis is a classic case of a previously unsung talent who used the showcase event as a viable proving ground.

The Louisiana native turned in an efficient account of himself on the final day, scoring 18 points on a flurry of hard slashes and outside shots against Luguentz Dort  (now at Arizona State) and Athlete’s Institute of Canada.

Dennis went from having just one offer from Nichols State entering his post graduate year to choosing Wichita State over Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, and a handful of others.

With this inspirational performance at the All American Jamboree, Dennis wrote the first chapter in a wild book on how to ascend the national market after being lightly recruited and vastly overlooked out of high school.

Here are just a few RDA guys to take note of this weekend:

Angel Smith-

The athletically gifted 6-foot-6 forward has displayed all the tools to be a certifiable steal at Tennessee Tech, the program he made a verbal pledge to last month.

Smith is a high wired act with his powerful open court finishing and above the rim game. He authored a late tear this summer, bouncing back from an injury.

A product of Northeast High in Fort Lauderdale, Smith really stretches out defenses with his range and consistent 3-point shot.

Yaw Obeng Mensah–

The under the radar 6-foot-7 wing has all that is at a premium at the Division-1 tier, with his length and guard’s skill set.

He’s bouncy and an adept finisher at the rim. The unheralded Canadian handles the ball like a lead guard. He’s proven he can orchestrate the offensive flow and kick in assists.

Consistently putting forth offensive production at all three levels, Mensah recently earned an offer from Arkansas Little Rock.

DJ Henderson–

The Tampa native is long and defensively versatile with his ability to guard from the 1-3.

He possesses the type of explosive athleticism and burst that’s generated consistent mid-major interest.

He scores it at the rim consistently and has shown an ability to turn in loud, instinctive, and athletic plays.

Mervin James–

Another athletic wing at 6-foot-7, James is an ambidextrous finisher who can step out and knock down the 18-20 footer with efficiency. A product of nationally prestigious Pebblebrook High (GA), James brings elite level know-how and scoring spurtability.