Connect with us

Miami, FL

Observations from Under Armour Camp 2024 (Miami)

Published

on

Observations from Under Armour Camp 2024 (Miami)


For me, the 2025 cycle truly begins during camp season. It’s the best opportunity to stack up the local players physically and get a feel for their competitive demeanor. With everyone in one place, it’s easy to spot which position groups are loaded and which are lacking. This year, the DBs are strong but the region is thin elsewhere. South Florida is in a bit of a rut. Luckily, there are some standouts firmly on Miami’s radar and some more who will be emerging soon.

– Nobody opened more eyes than DT Floyd Boucard (Miami Central). We started tweeting about him when he was just running through movement drills, and he went on to dominate one-on-ones and win MVP. He won every rep with lateral quicks and has a stout frame. Originally an ice hockey player from Canada, he played the last couple years in Mobile, AL and just transferred to Central. He was by far the quickest and best DT on the day.

– Cortez Mills (Homestead) was the best WR out there and is a blue-chipper in any class. He looked like a legit 6’1 and uses his oversized hands to easily pluck the ball. His route-running was smooth and he showed the ability to highpoint over defenders in the rare event when he didn’t have separation. He’s a big-time Miami target.

– WR Josh Moore (West Broward) wasn’t far behind Mills. He doesn’t separate as easily, but his catch radius is even larger and he has a strong body. One time, he beat the DB on an in-breaking route, ran through the end zone and effortlessly hurdled a nearby fence. Miami likes him more than the recruiting sites and I can see why.

Advertisement

– CB Ben Hanks (Booker T) was the top cover corner to my eyes. He’s very skinny, but long, patient and always in phase. There were several times where he reached out and plucked the ball as if he were running the route for the WR. He’s a priority at CB.

– DT Randy Adirika (Central) has a pretty simple moveset but won his reps with his length and strength. I like his serious demeanor. DT Myron Charles (Port Charlotte) is more of a gamer than a tester. His body type and athleticism looked average in drills, but he had no problem beating his man. On the flip side, nobody looks better on the hoof than identical twin EDGEs Mandrell and Darryll Desir (Norland). I thought Mandrell was the more impressive of the two. Both should be easy P5 players despite some tightness issues.

– The DB group was the most impressive of the day. CB Chris Ewald (Chaminade) is bigger than I thought and carries more weight than Hanks. His length causes problems at the catch point. CB Gregory “Zae” Thomas (American Heritage) is as big as any CB I’ve ever seen at this level. He is tall and heavy. While he’s not the bendiest mover, he does a nice job finishing the play with strong hands. Several times he got beat initially but ended up snatching the ball away from the receiver. S Amari Wallace (Central) lined up in the nickel and moved like a corner. He puts up Kam Kinchens-type ball production in high school but has added value in man coverage. S Bryce Fitzgerald oozes athleticism even in a setting that doesn’t favor his game. CB Tae Harris (Cedartown, GA) has a well put-together frame and ripped off a 4.38 40.

– The offensive line group looked pretty average. One name that jumped out with his athleticism- Monarch OT Bryan Auguste. His movement skills popped in person, and when I went home and watched his HUDL it looked even better. Kentucky has offered.

– The 2026 LB group impressed me with their length and acceleration. Miami commit Jordan Campbell (Carol City), Demetris Mincey, Jr. (Dillard) and group MVP Adam Alogouin-Al (Benjamin) all had impressive moments, even if they were occasionally raw in coverage. Ezekiel Marcelin (Central) is the top 2025 kid. He started slow but began to find his timing late and broke up several passes. His pure LB game is more suited for Friday nights.

Advertisement

– Some 2026 kids that caught our attention with their physical traits- Chaminade RB/ATH Derek Cooper and Northwestern WR Calvin Russell. My favorite QB was 2026 prospect Dia Bell (American Heritage), son of longtime NBA player Raja Bell. He makes everything look smooth and easy and the ball jumped off his hands during one-on-ones.

We have a ton of interviews and recruiting scoop from the camp on the way, so stay locked on CanesInSight.



Source link

Miami, FL

Miami Heat-Chicago Bulls Injury Report, Betting Lines, How to Watch, Lineups & More

Published

on

Miami Heat-Chicago Bulls Injury Report, Betting Lines, How to Watch, Lineups & More


Game date, time and location: Saturday, Jan. 31, 8:00 p.m. EST, Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun, Chicago Sports Network

Radio: 104.3 FM (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale), ESPN 106.3 FM, (West Palm Beach), FOX Sports Radio 105.9 FM (Ft. Myers/Naples), 1450 AM (Suart), 97.7 FM (Florida Keys), WAQI 710 AM (Spanish-language broadcast, South Florida), 670 AM The Score, 1200 AM (Chicago)

Advertisement

VITALS: The Miami Heat (26-23) and Chicago Bulls (23-25) meet for the third of four regular season matchups. Earlier this season, Miami recorded a, 143-107, win in Chicago on November 21 and a, 116-113 win on January 29th. The Heat are 66-68 all-time versus Chicago during the regular season, including 37-29 in home games and 29-39 in road games.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Advertisement

HEAT

G Kasparas Jakucionis

Advertisement

G Jaime Jaquez Jr.

C Bam Adebayo

F Pelle Larsson

F Andrew Wiggins

Advertisement

BULLS

G Ayo Dosunmu

G Kevin Huerter

C Jalen Smith

Advertisement

F Isaac Okoro

Advertisement

F Matas Buzelis

Betting Lines (via FanDuel Sportsbook)

Spread: Heat -6.5 (-108), Bulls +6.5 (-112)

Advertisement

Moneyline: Heat -240, Bulls +198

Advertisement

Total points scored: 233.5 (over -106, under -114)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Advertisement

INJURY REPORT

HEAT

Davion Mitchell: Out – Shoulder

Norman Powell: Out – Personal Reasons

Tyler Herro: Out – Rib

Advertisement

Terry Rozier: Out – Not with team

BULLS

Coby White: Doubtful – Injury Management

Nikola Vucevic: Doubtful – Rest

Advertisement

Josh Giddey: Out – Hamstring

Advertisement

Jalen Smith: Out – Calf

Emanuel Miller: Questionable – Migraine

Tre Jones: Out – Hamstring

Zach Collins: Out – Toe

Advertisement

Noa Essengue: Out – Shoulder

QUOTABLE

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on the loss to the Orlando Magic: “Basically all four games we’ve had great first halves. We just have not been able to sustain it against that team. We started out flat, it’s hard to explain that.”

“We had some really deflating offensive possessions. We couldn’t guard,” he said. “We struggled to defend them, so that stacks up their paint points, and then they did a good job leveling off our drives.”

Advertisement



For more Miami Heat information and conversation, check out Off The Floor.


Advertisement

Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at Twitter: @tropicalblanket



Source link

Continue Reading

Miami, FL

Survivor fans pack Jungle Island as new themed café opens in Miami

Published

on

Survivor fans pack Jungle Island as new themed café opens in Miami


Survivor fans are flooding South Florida, and the center of the action is Jungle Island, where the new Survivor Ultimate Café offers challenges, themed food and official merchandise.

Sophi Balerdi, a contestant from Season 49, said seeing the recreated challenges is surreal because they’re pulled straight from the show.

“There’s challenges that I actually did in Fiji,” Balerdi said. “This is the exact challenge that I won back in season 49, and it’s just so cool to see it all.”

A full Survivor‑style experience

The café is designed to immerse visitors in the Survivor world. The menu goes beyond basic survival food and leans into the show’s reward challenges, giving fans a literal taste of what contestants eat in Fiji. For many, it’s also a chance to test themselves under pressure.

Advertisement

“You’re under pressure for a million dollars, you’re competing against other people, and when your life is on the line in the game, it’s scary to do these challenges,” Balerdi said.

Just steps away, another Survivor‑style event drew crowds: a hidden immunity idol hunt offering a chance to win a spot at the live finale in Los Angeles.

Francois said hundreds of people had about an hour left to search as fans from across Florida followed clues through the park.

“That jungle… in the city named for an ocean is where I am,” Francois said. “And it’s where hundreds are channeling their inner Survivor.”

Fans travel hours for a chance to win

Among the first in line were fans who drove from the Jacksonville area, calling the trip a gamble they hoped would pay off.

Advertisement

“This whole trip is to make my wife happy, so everybody else can go home,” Brandon Hudspatch said.

His wife, Rebecca Hudspatch, said they recognized the location from the show.

“You drove down just for this,” she said. “How’d you know to be here though? I think it was on last season?”

And while the object of the search is an idol, fans aren’t chasing immunity — they’re chasing a prize: a trip to the live finale taping in Los Angeles.

“Even if you’re not a Survivor fan, who doesn’t like solving riddles and driving six hours to find an idol?” Bridget Powell said.

Advertisement

Jane and Peter Simpson said they’ve been all‑in since the beginning. “I’ve seen this from Day One.”

Former contestants meet fans

The Survivor Café experience also includes meet‑and‑greets with former contestants, including Dee Valladares, who won Survivor 45 and is set to appear in the upcoming Survivor 50 season. Valladares said watching Survivor is one thing, but living it is something else entirely.

“You’re going to war with your mind,” she said. “For me, that was very hard. You’re stepping outside from the gameplay itself, shivering and thinking to yourself, when is this going to end and it never does.”

Survivor veteran Troy “Troyzan” Robertson echoed that reality.

“It’s one thing to watch it and one thing to play. This doesn’t seem like the same thing,” he said.

Advertisement

Fans visiting the café will also find official merchandise, including Survivor bandanas and shirts. The Survivor Café officially opens tomorrow, and reservations are available online.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Miami, FL

Miami Beach running legend Robert ‘Raven’ Kraft says he faces foreclosure due to soaring condo fees

Published

on

Miami Beach running legend Robert ‘Raven’ Kraft says he faces foreclosure due to soaring condo fees


A Miami Beach legend known for running in the city’s streets every night is now in a fight to keep his home.

Robert “Raven” Kraft has run every single night, rain or shine, since Jan. 1, 1975. He has been honored and celebrated by the city, and even has a street named after him – but Kraft is now facing foreclosure after soaring condo fees.

“It’s a nightmare,” he told NBC6.

Kraft bought his condo on Ocean Drive back in 1988.

Advertisement

“This is my home, and I love being here,” he said.

For years, he said he and the other tenants paid about $400 a month in maintenance fees, but over the last few years, that price tag has changed.

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 29: Robert “Raven” Kraft takes statistical notes on runners who have joined him on March 29, 2020 in Miami Beach, Florida. Kraft, who has run every day on Miami Beach since January 1, 1975, continues to run eight miles daily despite the dangers that the COIVD-19 epidemic presents. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

It all started after his building was put under the control of a court-appointed special master tasked with completing repairs.

“Things went way up,” he said. “Now they want $78,000 assessments. They want like $18,000 for some kind of lawyer thing.”

Advertisement

Kraft said he paid more than $20,000 back in 2023, but the bills keep coming in.

“I have been wanting to pay. They ignore me, they don’t answer the phone, they don’t tell me how much I owe,” Kraft said.

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Robert

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Robert “Raven” Kraft is joined by other runners on the back beach in Lummus Park on March 23, 2020 in Miami Beach, Florida. Kraft, who has run every day on Miami Beach since January 1, 1975, continues to run eight miles daily despite the dangers that the COIVD-19 epidemic presents. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

Now he said he’s being warned to pay or lose his home.

“It’s been awful, they put a lien on my place, they put a foreclosure,” he said.

While Kraft isn’t asking for money, a GoFundMe page has been put together by the community in an effort to raise $50,000 to cover his legal costs in fighting the foreclosure.

Advertisement

“They’ve been so good to me,” he said. “Strangers are donating money. I’ve never owed money my whole life.”

Kraft said he’s using a lot of the money for lawyer fees, but in the meantime, he plans to come to the beach and run, where he finds peace and hope.

NBC6 reached out to the special master in charge of the HOA for a comment.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending