Mike Devoe is headed to Georgia Tech next season.
Recently, two of the nation’s top high school teams in Montverde Academy and Findlay Prep, with two of the best players in the nation through RJ Barret and Bol Bol respectively, played each other in a nail-biting contest which resulted in a clutch, buzzer-beater three by one of Montverde’s seniors, Mike Devoe. If you watch the highlights of the game, you’ll notice two predominant things. Firstly, Bol Bol is much more than a tall player. His level of skill and IQ of the game is frankly amazing for a 7-foot 3 center. Secondly, RJ Barret played really well… but was outshone by fellow senior Mike Devoe.
Mike Devoe is a four-star, 6-4 point guard who has recently committed to Georgia Tech over the likes of Clemson, UCONN, Florida, Indiana, Ohio State, USC, and Wake Forest. What makes Devoe so special though, is his constant ability of surprising everyone. Just last year, Devoe was an unranked point guard who hadn’t received any college offers. Then, after an impressive summer of playing with Nike South Beach, Devoe shot up the ranks to number 77 overall player in the 2019 class and 15th overall point guard.
Throughout the final of the Montverde Academy Invitational, it was clear to see that Devoe had a presence on the field that, during times, unanimously made him the number 1 scoring option between his teammates on Montverde’s team; a team that happens to have the number 1 player in the nation. And that confidence between his teammates extended to Montverde’s coach, Kevin Boyle. Whilst organizing the final play, the only words coach Boyle had to Devoe were “Mike, get in the corner and shoot it”. Devoe, however, made everyone slightly worried even more than they already were as he decided to pump-fake the Findlay Prep player guarding him out of the way, before side stepping to the right and managing to release the ball as the hooter sounded, with an even better-sounding splash to win the game. Devoe ended up with 26 points (16 points in the 4th quarter), and a tournament MVP trophy to sweeten the deal.
So, what does this mean for the Yellow Jackets, Mike Devoe, (and more importantly) the rest of us? The Yellow Jackets are picking up the ultimate sleeper, providing Devoe continues to perform at a high level whilst also receiving the necessary minutes and coaching needed to develop as a player. For Devoe, he needs to take this game and harness it. He needs to understand that this is just one game and he needs to continue to play like the way he did during the final for the rest of his career, as if he does, it could change whether he plays basketball at a high level after college ever again. As for the rest of, keep an eye out for this kid. Especially when it comes down to the line when your school is playing the Yellow Jackets next year.
