IMG Academy

Knicks draft watch: Nate Wolters feels he can add immediate backup point guard help

john.esfeller@imgworld.com — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:47:40 +0000

The Knicks hosted another closed workout today and among the notable names like Gorgui Dieng of Louisville and Brandon Davies of Brigham Young University, arguably the most intriguing name was Nate Wolters of South Dakota State.

The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has built sort of a cult following in the midwest region after posting great numbers during his four-year reign of the Summit League where he led his team to two consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. But to the average basketball fan, Wolters is a virtual unknown.

Wolters will undoubtedly be available by the time the Knicks select with their No. 24 pick, as most credible mock drafts have him ranked somewhere in the late-30s. But the Knicks could still get their backup point guard should they determine to trade or buy back into the second round, since they currently don’t have one.

While Dieng is a rising prospect who said he's ready to "take care" of business, Wolters is just hoping to have the chance to attempt to do so. The sharp-shooting point guard isn’t as highly regarded as Dieng, perhaps because he is a bit of a mystery since he was an under-the-radar high school player who wasn’t prominent on the AAU circuit, and then went to a mid-major program like South Dakota State.

Wolters, though, thinks the fact he wasn't over-saturated actually helped his cause.

"I think I matured a little late and my AAU team didn't travel as much, so I wasn't overexposed, Wolters noted. "Going to a small school was probably good for my development, because I got a lot of reps and played a ton of minutes all four years, got a ton of freedom, and I got better every day."

That experience and ability to run an offense is what Wolters thinks sets him a part from the rest of the point guards fighting for notoriety. He reasoned those attributes would allow him to seamlessly slide into the Knicks' rotation.

"They like to spread the floor out and shoot a lot of 3s, so I think I’d fit in perfectly. This would be a great fit. Jason Kidd just retired and Raymond Felton is a solid point guard, so I definitely feel I can add to it. Hopefully I get the opportunity," said Wolters. "I’m really good with the pick-and-roll game and I know they run a ton of pick-and-roll. I can also spread the floor and get it to shooters. ... I know I can also be a facilitator and I think it'd be natural for me. I can be more a facilitator than a scorer. It was necessary for me to score in college, so I had to put up a lot of shots. But I think my natural position is passing point guard and making others around me better."

The other transition that some scouts believe will hinder Wolter's game at the NBA level is the level of competition. It's one thing to hold your own when you play a major conference school now and then, like South Dakota State did when they'd occasionally match up with the likes of New Mexico and Michigan, but it's another deal to play against arguably the best athletes in the world on a nightly basis.

The heady Wolters said he's already been working on that as well.

"It's the length and speed of the game," he said when asked what is the biggest adjustment that he'd have to get used to. "Every player, even if they come from a high-major [school] or not, has to deal with that. It's a major jump, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity."

He then joked that most players, all-star players, can't guard some of the elite point guards anyway, so he won't be losing too much sleep over the critics saying he'll have trouble staying with them.

"It's hard for anyone to guard the Russell Westbrook types anyway, but I'll do my best. I think I'm an underrated defender and I think I showed that last season playing some of the top guys like [Michigan point guard and National Player of the Year winner] Trey Burke," Wolters reasoned. "It's something I'll continue to work on, but defense is more about effort and toughness so I think I bring that."

Offensively, Wolters is about as polished a scorer there is coming out of the draft, as he averaged 22.6 points per game and shot 48 percent from the field (38 percent in 3s). But while those are very solid numbers, Wolters said he's been working tirelessly on improving his shot.

"It [shooting] is something I've always worked on. I struggled my junior year, but this year I shot the ball better from deep," Wolters said. "I'm working at IMG academy and have tried to quicken my release and shoot it higher.It'll help in the long run because the length of some of these guys in the league is amazing. ... I'm working hard every day. I've heard a lot of good feedback, so I'm just looking for the opportunity to contribute."

IMG Academy trainee Nate Wolters' draft stock is on the rise

IMG Academy honors the class of 2013 at annual commencement ceremony

CindyYu — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:38:21 +0000

Bienvenidos. Willkommen. Welcome. Yesterday, the thirteenth annual commencement ceremony of 146 student-athletes at IMG Academy took place in the Neel Performing Arts Center at the State College of Florida. As the most culturally diverse private school in the world, senior representatives from 42 nations introduced themselves and welcomed the audience in their country’s language.

Salutatorians Cynthia Guerin and Jordan Lippetz were then introduced by English instructor Brent Pottieger and science department chair Lori Gubernat, respectively. Guerin relayed the message that what is done in the present will dictate how the future pans out while Lippetz summed up her time at IMG Academy in one word -- unexpected.

Next, senior Greta Polo from Milan, Italy presented the outstanding educator award on behalf of the graduating class to Michelle Filicetti, a psychology and American history teacher.

Following a vocal trio performance from faculty members James Albritton, Brent Pottieger, and Eric Van Zytveld, English teacher Steinur Bell introduced valedictorian Samy Ramadane, who earned an impressive 5.09 GPA and scored a five on each of his ten AP exams. His humorous speech highlighted the unique experience IMG Academy offers in providing students the opportunity to intensively exercise their athletic passions every day alongside professional athletes, while simultaneously pursuing their academic studies. He also encouraged students to selfishly tackle obstacles standing before their goals.

Mark Blaweiss, the director of college planning, placement, and NCAA education, continued the ceremony with the presentation of the George Garnett Spirit Award, honoring the memory of former IMG Academy technology teacher. Blaweiss listed student body president and basketball team captain Josie Traberg at the top of his short list of students that have left a lasting memory at IMG Academy.

To demonstrate student-athletes and staff stepping outside of their comfort zone and projecting their inner voice, headmaster Richard Odell displayed a flash mob video, featuring student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff from every area within IMG Academy.

Finally, the presentation of diplomas commenced, and students received three roses apiece to distribute to their family and friends.

In a speech that underlined the significance of “carpe diem,” Arantxa Garduño, a native of Mexico, bestowed a paver in the new stadium as the senior gift to rising senior Jessica Modlin.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the graduates of IMG Academy moved their tassels from the right to the left and kicked off the celebration by throwing their graduation caps into the air.

146 seniors representing 42 nations graduate from IMG Academy

IMG Academy's Boubacar Moungoro invited to EUROCAMP as one of only two American high school players

CindyYu — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 20:04:54 +0000

Adidas recently released its official roster for EUROCAMP, the most prestigious international pre-NBA Draft event. Only two American high school players were invited to the three-day camp; IMG Academy’s Boubacar Moungoro was one of the two selected. Measuring in at 6’6”, the small forward from Mali, Africa will have the chance to play before scouts and GMs from the NBA and Euroleague in Teviso, Italy June 8-10. Eligible for the NBA Draft in 2014, Moungoro could potentially play in the professional circuit this upcoming year.

Moungoro received a scholarship from the Amar’e Stoudemire Foundation to begin training at IMG Academy in 2010. Along with other top prospects such as Miami’s Kenny Kadji and Illinois' Brandon Paul, he recently participated in the IMG Academy NBA Combine Training program to increase his stock.

According to head skill trainer Dan Barto, Moungoro has leveraged his experience at IMG Academy to create this opportunity by improving his shooting and changing his body.

“He’s one of the fastest, most athletic players we’ve ever had here and now he’s turning that raw athleticism into basketball skill and a better understanding of the game, and even the English language,” Barto said. “Three years ago, nobody even knew he existed.”

IMG Academy's Boubacar Moungoro selected to prestgious EUROCAMP

IMG Academy honors eighth-graders at middle school promotion ceremony

CindyYu — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:32:32 +0000

IMG Academy’s middle school promotion ceremony was held this morning, as eighth grade student-athletes donning button-downs, polos, and dresses poured into the IMG Academy Golf Club. Headmaster Richard Odell opened with an anecdote on how love, respect, and trust produce a value coupon that never expires.

Language arts teacher Brianna Donnelly proceeded to recognize students who earned academic honors that were enrolled in IMG Academy for a minimum of two years. Paloma Chavez, Mpho Cho, Kathryn Forsyth, Martin Jaramillo, Madison Reece, and William Simeone received honors for scoring an accumulated grade between 87% and 92%. Scoring between 93% and 100%, Lutwin De Macar, Brandon Wang, and Qingyi Xu obtained high honors for their academic performances.

To emphasize the importance of creativity, social sciences teacher Joe Patoray rapped about the highlights of the academic year. He personalized his rap by dedicating one verse to each of his students that referenced either class memories or personality traits.

Science teacher Eric VanZytveld then presented the middle school longevity recognition award. Race Arande, Mark Carlson, Paloma Chavez, Mpho Cho, Lutwin De Macar, Kathryn Forsyth, Connor Griffin, Xiang Hei, Martin Jaramillo, and Jakeub Scheid were honored for completing grades 6, 7, and 8 at IMG Academy.

The middle school studio art presentation given by art education teachers Cassia Kite and Jenny Medved followed. They categorized art as a universal language and projected students’ works ranging from animals to portraits to landscapes. Donnelly demonstrated the versatility of art by exhibiting students’ watercolor paintings inspired by the written work of Ernest Hemingway.

Next, Karina Daniela Katz Ortega was awarded a plaque for the IMG Academy Junior Spirit Award. Jonathan Sietsma, a mathematics teacher, described how she embodied the five peaks of the IMG Academy ascender design: potential, passion, people, perseverance and performance.

Finally, the awarding of diplomas commenced and immediately afterwards, the Dean of Faculty and Curriculum, Stephen Schwager, closed out the ceremony by congratulating the newly minted high school students. Like Tiger Woods, the No. 1 golfer in the world, this eighth grade class performs on a grand stage and competes against some of the best athletes worldwide. Schwager articulated how it is okay to make mistakes as long as student-athletes take risks and go big.

The following students graduated from IMG Academy Middle School: Robert Adams, Andres Andrade, Race Arande, Mariano Armendariz Lopez de Leon, Didar Bashikov, Mario Briceno, Ryan Caldwell, Mariana Campos Sirena, Alma Constanza Canseco Albuerne, Alex Carbonnier, Mark Carlson, Paloma Chavez, Mpho Cho, Esteban Enrique Correa Payares, Lutwin De Macar, Sebastian Derby, William Doctor, James Douglas, Jeffrey Eng, Kathryn Forsyth, Marlene Gil Batarse, Joseph Green, Connor Griffin, Xiang Hei, Martin Jaramillo, Nicholas Juels, Karina Daniela Katz Ortega, Darya Kazantseva, Vasyl Kiselov, Jake Klores, Karen Kobayashi, Fernando Eliezer Macias Rangel, Santiago Miranda, DeRohn Mitchell, Roberto Jaime Morales Cervantes, Carson Mulholland, Kaito Onishi, DeAndre Osuigwe, Madison Reece, Rodrigo Reyna, Eisuke Sakamoto, Michael Saks, Saga Sandeggen, Jakeub Scheid, William Simeone, Zachary Sinclair, Tad Talbot, Carlos Tercero Gomez, Kendall Tribus, Jacob Turley, Pedro Uribe, Brandon Wang, Yuqi Wang, Eleanor Whelan, Qingyi Xu, and Yaroslav Yanin.

Photos from the ceremony:

IMG Academy Middle School graduates honored in promotion ceremony

PHOTO GALLERY: 2013 IMG Academy NBA Combine/Draft Training Program

john.esfeller@imgworld.com — Wed, 29 May 2013 19:02:31 +0000

After preparing more than 40 top NFL prospects for the NFL Combine and a chance to increase their stock in the NFL Draft, IMG Academy's annual NBA Combine/Draft Training Program has been in full swing since April. Participants include: Kenny Kadji (Miami); Shane Larkin (Miami); Brandon Paul (Illinois); Nate Wolters (South Dakota State); Reggie Johnson (Miami); Romero Osby (Oklahoma); Laurence Bowers (Missouri); Adonis Thomas (Memphis); BJ Young (Arkansas); and Tamir Jackson (Rice). Check out photos from this year's NBA Combine/Draft Training Program here:

Photos of the IMG Academy NBA Combine/Draft Training program

Shane Larkin leads list of IMG Academy trainees who impressed at 2013 NBA Combine

john.esfeller@imgworld.com — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:24:41 +0000

IMG Academy trainees left a strong impression on teams at this year’s NBA Combine. Topping the list is Miami’s Shane Larkin, who has been training at IMG Academy with several of his Miami teammates and other top Draft prospects from around the country in preparation for the 2013 NBA Combine and Draft. The 5’11” guard wowed with the fastest sprint (3.08 seconds) and a 44” max vertical – the second-highest vertical ever recorded at the Combine, and the highest in the last decade. Larkin’s Miami teammate Kenny Kadji, an IMG Academy alumnus, and fellow IMG Academy training peers, Brandon Paul (Illinois), Nate Wolters (South Dakota State) and Adonis Thomas (Memphis), also put on impressive displays of athleticism.

For a decade and a half, top Draft prospects have selected IMG Academy to prepare for the NBA Combine and increase their Draft status. Players eat, sleep and train on campus, with 24/7 access to athletic facilities, as well as a wellness spa, medical office and athletic training/sports therapy clinic. In addition to daily skills training led by former NBA Head Coach and Director of Basketball, Kenny Natt, and Head Pro Skills Trainer, Dan Barto, players receive education, training and support in areas like speed and movement, physical and mental conditioning, athletic training/sports therapy, sports nutrition, vision training, and communications.

Last year’s class of Combine and Draft trainees produced top picks like North Carolina PG Kendall Marshall (13th overall, Phoenix Suns), St. John’s SF Moe Harkless (15th overall, Philadelphia 76ers), and Syracuse C Fab Melo (22nd overall, Boston Celtics).

IMG Academy trainees shine during 2013 NBA Combine

IMG Academy dedicates its Center for Personal Development to legendary coach John Wooden

john.esfeller@imgworld.com — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:22:51 +0000

On Tuesday, in a special ceremony, IMG Academy dedicated its Center for Personal Development to the late, legendary coach John Wooden. The facility will be known as the John R. Wooden Center for Character & Leadership, and will continue to provide education and training to student-athletes in areas like leadership and mental toughness.

Remarked Greg Phillips, IMG Academy Vice President and Athletics Director: “Coach Wooden’s legacy truly transcends athletics and spans generations. Our greatest pride at IMG Academy comes from the success of our student-athletes as leaders not just on the court or field, but in life. We are thrilled to give new meaning to this Center, where our students learn to build confidence, make decisions consistent with their core values, and maximize the potential of others.”

Nan Wooden, John Wooden’s daughter, as well as Greg Wooden and Cathleen Trapani, joined the special gathering. “We were touched by yesterday’s dedication to our father, grandfather,” said Greg Wooden. “While he had such a deep impact on us personally, it is always rewarding to witness the continuing impact he has on others. We believe there is no better place than IMG Academy to keep his legacy and the fundamentals of his teaching alive in a classroom setting each and every day.”

Dick Vitale, a friend of John Wooden’s, addressed the crowd and spoke fondly of his relationship with the late Coach and the lessons he learned from him.

IMG Academy’s relationship with the Wooden family began in 2012. Wooden’s principles of leadership and his ‘Pyramid of Success’ are integrated into IMG Academy’s leadership curriculum. The programming extends beyond student-athletes, and is available to coaches, corporations, the military, and other groups.

Scenes from the dedication of the Center for Personal Development:

IMG Academy dedicates John R. Wooden Center for Character and Leadership

IMG Academy’s Class of 2013 commemorates more than 165 college commitments

john.esfeller@imgworld.com — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:48:36 +0000

On Thursday, May 23, IMG Academy commemorated 168 of its student-athletes who committed to the colleges of their choice at a special ceremony at the State College of Florida’s Neel Performing Arts Center.

Over the past several years, IMG Academy has sent more than 60% of its student-athletes to Division I schools, while less than 6% of student-athletes nationally play sports at the D-I, II or III level.

Some of the most notable student-athletes’ achievements in this year’s graduating class include:

Tommy Hamilton, a native of Chicago, Ill., is a highly touted center/forward prospect who will move on to the Big East Conference after signing with DePaul University.

Rina Hill, a native of Nagoya-Shi, Japan, signed with Louisiana State University after helping lead the IMG Academy women’s basketball team to a 42-8 overall record, with a 7-2 record against junior colleges. Rina averaged 12.8 points per game, while pulling down 51defensive rebounds and notching 51steals.

Ryan Dance has the distinction of being the first college commitment of the first-year IMG Academy lacrosse team, and will head to prestigious Ithaca College. This season, Dance overcame injury to help lead the team to an astounding 11-1 inaugural season.

Jordan Lippetz achieved accolades on and off the links during her time at IMG Academy, earning 2012 IMG Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year honors, and being named an HP Scholastic Junior All-American in the fall. Lippetz is ranked by Golfweek as the No. 11 player in the state of Florida (No. 75 nationally), and will join the Princeton University ladies’ golf program.

Rigel Fernandes is the top-ranked player in India, and will join the reigning Big East champion University of South Florida men’s golf program as Golfweek’s No. 17-ranked prospect for the Class of 2013.

Apichaya Runglerdkriangkrai, a native of Thailand, will join the 22-time West Coast Conference champion Pepperdine Waves ladies tennis program.

Diego Pedraza, a native of Bogota, Colombia, competed as an amateur and won his first professional event at the Mexico F3 Futures in February, which resulted in reaching a career-high ranking of No. 35 ITF. Pedraza will take his talents to the Ivy League as a member of the Dartmouth University men’s tennis team.

Brett Hanewich, a third baseman and right-handed pitcher, signed with Stanford University. Hanewich was named as 2nd Team Rawlings/Perfect Game All-American entering his senior season. His sister, Corey Hanewich, is a member of the Cardinal softball team.

Pablo Aguilar, a Guatemala native who came to IMG Academy as a freshman in 2009,committed to the No. 17-ranked University of Virginia. Aguilar is ranked as the top midfielder and No. 2 overall soccer player in the state of Florida for the Class of 2013, according to Top Drawer Soccer.

Hannah Howell, a native of Bradenton, Fla.,committed to the No. 17-ranked Georgetown University Hoyas. The attacking midfielder led the IMG Academy U18 girls team and was named as the Bradenton Herald’s ‘All-Area Player of the Year’ for girls soccer.

Listed below is the complete list of seniors and post-grads who have committed to colleges throughout the 2012-13 academic year. A number of IMG Academy student-athletes remain uncommitted, and will be added to this list once they make their final selections.

LAST NAME	FIRST NAME	COMMITMENT	SPORT
Aguilar	Pablo	University of Virginia	Soccer
Alcocer	Diego	Foothills Community College	Tennis
Aldana	Alexander	University of Central Florida	Soccer
Araujo	Franco	Lynn University	Soccer
Aritt	Kayla	University of North Florida	Soccer
Arsenault	Edward	University of Nevada Las Vegas	Golf
Ashley	Allie	Trevecca Nazarene University	Soccer
Bae	Jeo Eun	Georgia State University	Golf
Bicknell	Adrian	Barry University	Soccer
Biggs	Tyler	University of Nebraska - Omaha	Baseball
Bolbjerg	Amalie	Florida State University	Golf
Buehning	Saxon	University of Alabama	Tennis
Camarena	Luis Felix	Suffolk University	Basketball
Carbone	Gianluca	Stetson University	Soccer
Castro	Estaban	University of West Florida	Golf
Catelani	Isabella	University of Akron	Tennis
Chan	Kasum	Chabot College	Golf
Chen	Hsuan	University of Nevada Las Vegas	Golf
Chen	Guanlong	Monmouth University	Tennis
Christie	Dylan	Jacksonville University	Soccer
Cocks	Riley	Belmont Abbey College	Lacrosse
Colliard	Peter	Fairfield University	Tennis
Connor	Kevin	Boston College	Baseball
Contreras	Sebastian	Stetson University	Soccer
Courtney	Trevor Madison	Trinity University	Baseball
Dages	Lucas	Purdue University	Tennis
Dance	Ryan	Ithaca College	Lacrosse
Davis	Hannah	Nova Southeastern University	Soccer
DiBenedetto	Nicholas	Trinity College	Baseball
Dos Reis Fario	Pedro	Flagler College	Soccer
Eduardo	Jose	Whittier College	Baseball
Eranna	Abhilasg	Lancaster University	Soccer
Estrada	Bryan	Midwestern State University	Soccer
Fajardo	Christian	Whittier College	Baseball
Fernandes	Rigel	University of South Florida	Golf
Finney	Evan	Pennsylvania State University	Soccer
Franchi	Joseph	Rollins College	Baseball
Fry	Cody	Cumberland College	Baseball
Fu	Fangqui	Eastern Washington University	Golf
Gallagher	Mitchell	Pepperdine University	Baseball
Garduno Neri	Arantxa	Fordham University	Tennis
Geannelis	Michael	University of Massachusetts - Amherst	Baseball
Ginzburg	Danil	Monmouth University	Tennis
Goldin	Grayson	Florida State University	Tennis
Gonzalez	Raul	University of Memphis	Soccer
Gravatt	Brett	University of Akron	Soccer
Green	Lydia	Exeter University (UK)	Tennis
Grevelink	Johannus	George Washington University	Soccer
Griffin	Adrian	Barton College	Tennis
Guerin	Cynthia	Virginia Tech	Tennis
Gulsrud	Anne	Marshall University	Tennis
Haddad	Alexander	Stetson University	Soccer
Hamilton	Tommy	DePaul University	Basketball
Hanewich	Brett	Stanford University	Baseball
Hartvich	Natascha	Fresno State University	Basketball
Hepp	Annika	University of Central Florida	Tennis
Hill	Rina	Louisiana State University	Basketball
Hodge	Carter	Pepperdine University	Baseball
Howard	Hannah	Elon University	Soccer
Howell	Hannah	Georgetown University	Soccer
Hwang	Kelly	Georgetown University	Golf
Jaar	Christian	Hofstra University	Soccer
Kamiya	Daichi	Arizona State University	Golf
Katz	Zach	University of Arizona	Golf
Kaufmann	Thoms	Stetson University	Soccer
Kerrigan	Cassandra	Lenoir Rhyne University	Soccer
Kitahara	Leonardo	University of San Francisco	Golf
Konstat	Enrique	Anahuac University (Mexico)	Baseball
Kristensen	Camilla	UNC - Wilmington	Golf
Kumthonkittikul	Worvian	Monmouth University	Tennis
Kurgan	Samuel	University of Miami (Ohio)	Baseball
Leadbetter	James	University of Arkansas	Golf
Levy	Zach	Michigan State University	Lacrosse
Lewis	Darius	Dusquesne University	Basketball
Li	David	Long Island University	Golf
Libman	Hadas	Baylor University	Golf
Linares	Miguel	Stonehill College Soccer	Soccer
Liou	Clement	Whittier College	Golf
Lippetz	Jordan	Princeton University	Golf
Logan	Marcus	Trinity University (Texas)	Tennis
Lopez	Manny	Suffolk University	Basketball
Lovell	Chris	University of Texas - Arlington	Golf
Martino	Luis	Nova Southeastern University	Tennis
Martins	Guido	Emory-Oxford College	Basketball
McElwain	Sydney	Coker College	Soccer
McGrail	Daniel	University of Colorado	Golf
Mendez	Paulette	St. John's University	Soccer
Merchant	Sameer	Charleston Southern University	Golf
Misch	Emerson	Valparaiso University	Baseball
Moller	Spencer	University of Memphis	Soccer
Moore	Peter	Tufts University	Tennis
Mulholland	Connor	Whittier College	Baseball
Munoz	Rodrigo	Long Island University	Golf
Murphy	Jackson	Cal State East Bay	Baseball
Naran	Vineet	Temple University	Tennis
Narendra	Resnu	Santa Monica City College	Soccer
Nichamin	Sam	Emory University	Golf
Nolan	Julian	University of Arizona	Baseball
O'Connor	Brendan	St. John's University	Soccer
Ordonez	Cassandra	Coker College	Soccer
Ortiz	Carlos	University of Houston	Soccer
Ozkan	Evrim	Stetson University	Basketball
Patnick	Jason	Manhattan College	Baseball
Pauley	Hunter	College of Canyons	Golf
Pavao	Eduardo	Stetson University	Soccer
Pedraza	Diego	Dartmouth University	Tennis
Peterson	Megan	Carson Newman College	Soccer
Pizano	Salua	Manhattan College	Tennis
Polo	Greta	Florida Institute of Technology	Tennis
Pomyatinskaya	Anna	Marshall University	Tennis
Ponce	Andrew	Whittier College	Baseball
Ponson	Kenneth	Flagler College	Tennis
Powell	William	Seattle University	Basketball
Ramadane	Samy	Johns Hopkins University	Soccer
Ramierz, Jr.	Manny	Central Arizona Community College	Baseball
Reinhart	Jonah	Trinity Western University	Soccer
Ribbins	Emily	Quinnipiac University	Golf
Robinson	Daniel	Florida International University	Basketball
Robinson	Clark	Marshall University	Golf
Rodriguez	Maria	University of South Florida	Golf
Rojas-Uranga	Hector	New York University	Soccer
Rostarchuk	Eugenia	New York University	Tennis
Runglerdkriangkrai	Apichaya	Pepperdine University	Tennis
Saint Remy	Nicolas	Hofstra University	Soccer
Sasaki	Kyotaro	Dixie State Community College	Golf
Schiffino	Diego	Suffolk University	Golf
Schwartz	William	University of Miami (Ohio)	Baseball
Scott	Cameron	High Point University	Baseball
Scott	Cameron	High Point	Tennis
Sergheeva	Julia	State College of Florida	Tennis
Serirak	Weerachan	Suffolk University	Tennis
Shapiro	Jeffrey	College of Charleston	Golf
Sharapova	Dasha	Southern Methodist University	Tennis
Siboupha	Phetnoy	Santa Barbara City College	Golf
Silva Serrano	Maria "Camila"	Florida International University	Golf
Sime	Paul	University of Kentucky	Soccer
Soto	Paulette	St. John's University	Soccer
Spangler	Cassandra	West Virginia University	Soccer
Steininger	Jenna	University of North Florida	Soccer
Strempke	Mark	University of Chicago	Baseball
Sumoyama	Yusuke	Chapman College	Basketball
Suzuki	Ayaka	University of San Francisco	Golf
Sztanyo	Chance	Ohio Dominion University	Soccer
Tabrani	Zach	Hampden-Sydney College	Basketball
Talmadge	Tyler	Seattle University	Basketball
Teixeira	Vitoria	University of Delaware	Golf
Tinsley	Mario	Aurora College	Basketball
Tucker	Juron	Drexel University	Basketball
Van de Flierdt	Jakob	Boston College	Golf
Van Wuijckhuijse	Melissa	Loyola University	Tennis
Vega	Andre	St. Francis University	Soccer
Velez	Yazmin	Florida Gulf Coast University	Soccer
Velez	Marco	University of South Carolina	Soccer
Veloza	Juan	Towson University	Golf
Walker	Gregory	Colorado-Mesa University	Tennis
Wang	Christina	Boston College	Golf
Wilkins	Harry	American University	Soccer
Wilson	Reid	Sacred Heart University	Soccer
Wu	Zihao "Jet"	Johnson and Wales	Golf
Wu	Kailin	University of Indiana	Tennis
Yu Tsui	Hiu	Whittier College	Golf
Yuan	Zi Yao	Whittier College	Golf
Zapata	Juan	University of Indiana	Basketball
Zeff	Alden	Wheaton (Mass.)	Tennis
Zhang	Richard	Fordham University	Golf
Zhao	Pei	University of California - Riverside	Golf

More than 165 IMG Academy student-athletes celebrated their college commitments

IMG Academy Spring Commitment Ceremony celebrates 167 athletes for college signings

john.esfeller@imgworld.com — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:01:13 +0000

IMG Academy is known for preparing its athletes for the next level.

So on Thursday, the 2013 IMG Academy Spring Commitment Ceremony at State College of Florida honored roughly 167 athletes who are heading to colleges in the fall to continue their athletic and academic careers.

They came from a variety of sports, and IMG Academy vice president of student affairs and headmaster Rich Odell said 57 percent are going to Division I programs.

"It really recognizes the level of commitment that we make to both academic and athletic excellence matched only by the social developmental component," Odell said. "We believe that kids to be successful that have passion in sport, or any area for that matter, need to really stand on a three-legged stool for life. And that preparation for the success of that stool is to do well academically, athletically and socially."

One of those Division I recruits is Brett Hanewich, who began his prep career at Lakewood Ranch.

Hanewich is signed to play baseball at Stanford, where he will join his older sister, Corey, who plays softball for the Cardinal.

"I didn't want to base anything just off her," Brett Hanewich said. "It was ultimately my decision and my family's decision, too. But I wanted to go there, and the fact that she's going to be there is a bonus."

Hanewich chose Stanford over other strong baseball programs such as the Florida, North Carolina and Ole Miss because of academic tradition.

Hanewich wasn't alone.

Rina Hill, a native of Japan, is heading to LSU to play women's college basketball. Hill said she hopes to lead the program to the Final Four.

"I loved the coaches and the environment," Hill said.

Pablo Aguilar, who patterns his soccer skills after two Barcelona icons in Xavi and Iniesta, is a Virginia signee.

Aguilar has two older brothers that attended UVA, so that was a factor in the attacking midfielder's decision on where to continue his soccer career.

"I know the coach, because I've been there via summer camps before," said Aguilar, who hails from Guatemala. "It's a good soccer school, and it relates good because it's good academically, too."

IMG Academy Spring Commitment Ceremony featured in Bradenton Herald

IMG Academy holds ribbon cutting for new state-of-the-art Student Residence Hall

john.esfeller@imgworld.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:14:37 +0000

Bradenton, Fla. (May 21, 2013) – Last evening IMG Academy held a ribbon cutting for the latest addition to its expanding campus - a five-story Student Residence Hall.

The opening of the new Hall comes just weeks after IMG Academy broke ground on a new multi-sport complex that will open in August.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to open our new Residence Hall, which will quickly become the hub of our campus and provide each boarding student with a living space very similar to what they will experience in college,” remarked Rich Odell, Vice President of Student Affairs and Headmaster, IMG Academy. “This incredible facility marks just the beginning of a campus expansion plan that will include new academic buildings, student life facilities, and sport complexes.”

Several hundred students and staff, as well as community partners led by architect Fawley Bryant and Tandem Construction, were on hand for the event. Special guest Michael Dolan, Chairman and CEO of IMG Worldwide, made the trip to IMG Academy after receiving a personal invite signed by members of the IMG Academy Student Council. Dolan did the honors of cutting the ribbon, leading to a flooding of the Hall by eager students seeking a look at their new home.

Remarked Rick Fawley, President, Fawley Bryant: “The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Residence Hall featured an energized IMG Academy student body - reminding me that the social environments we create for student-athletes are just as critical to maximizing their personal growth potential as ensuring their long term success to become great citizens of the world.”

Echoed Peter Hayes, President, Tandem: “Since our first days on campus, we have recognized and appreciated IMG’s vision and commitment to transforming this local facility into a world class sports training and educational campus like none other. Last evening, as students and stakeholders from across the country and around the world gathered to celebrate the completion of the first major building component of the new master plan, it became evident that the future is now. Inspiration, collaboration, focus and an unwavering resolve to be the very best is that which defines IMG and the leadership that has made it all possible. We are so very proud to be a member of the IMG Team!”

The Residence Hall will house 500 students during the academic year with the ability to expand to 1000 during the summer camp season. The building is wireless throughout and features a state-of-the-art security system. Floors two through five will feature academic study rooms, while the lounge area on the first floor will feature: a toiletries/snack shop; mail room; large-screen televisions; high-top table seating and relaxing furniture; pool, foosball, ping pong tables; and more. The first floor will also house Campus Life and Health Services offices, as well as a 24/7 Campus Safety desk in the lobby. Ten adults will live in the building – one on each wing of each floor – and will serve as resident assistants for the students.

IMG Academy celebrates the ribbon cutting of the new Residence Hall!