Larkin, Calathes star in EuroLeague; All-State

The two most accomplished players on a long list of overseas basketball players from Central Florida, point guards Shane Larkin and Nick Calathes, continue to achieve.

Larkin, a 2011 Dr. Phillips alum, helped lead his Turkish team, Anadolu Efes of Istanbul, to a repeat EuroLeague championship last weekend. The 29-year-old was selected to the All-EuroLeague First Team for the second year in a row.

[ Central Floridian Nick Calathes fulfills childhood dream ]

Calathes’ team, FC Barcelona of Spain, also reached the final four. And in a third-place game victory against AS Monaco, the former Lake Howell and Florida Gators guard set a new EuroLeague career record for assists. He has 1,612 in 268 playoff games across 10 seasons (6.0 per game).

He set the record with a behind the back dime in transition.

Calathes, 33, is scheduled to be on the Greek national team for the EuroBasket 2022 tournament in September. Larkin is on the Turkish roster for that event.

Larkin, who starred for Miami in college, soon becomes a free agent. But after his team’s championship win he told European media that he is no longer fixated on getting another shot at NBA stardom. He played four seasons, mostly as a backup, with Dallas, the New York Knicks, Brooklyn and Boston before departing for Anadolu Efes.

[ Shane Larkin gets big deal in Europe | Basketball Report ]

“I’m extremely happy with where I’ve been in my career,” he said. “To be here, to see the passion, to be in this atmosphere, to do the things that I’ve been able to accomplish here, I wouldn’t trade this for the world. Even if I could’ve gone back to the NBA and sign for a max contract, I would much rather choose this. This has been amazing and I’m very happy with everything.”

Larkin’s previous contract, signed in 2020, was reported as a $7 million deal for two seasons.

Eight Orlando area players earned boys basketball first team All-State status and 10 more were recognized as second- or third-teamers.

That included three of the five class 7A first-teamers and the two standout seniors for Orlando Christian Prep’s Class 2A state title team.

Here are the All-State first teams and area players who earned second- and third-team recognition, as selected by Florida Association of Basketball Coaches and Source Hoops:

[ Defending champion Dr. Phillips falls short at finish vs. Columbus in 7A basketball title game ]

CLASS 7A

First team

Ernest Udeh, 6-10 Sr., Dr. Phillips

Edgerrin James, 6-2 Jr., Olympia

Sean Stewart, 6-8 Jr., Windermere

Cameron Boozer, 6-8 Fr., Miami Columbus

Calvin Sirmans, 5-9 Jr., Lake Worth

Second team area players

Riley Kugel, 6-5 Sr., Dr. Phillips

Denzel Aberdeen, 6-3 Sr., Dr. Phillips

Third team area players

Jack Klinger, 6-8 Sr., Lake Brantley

Jah Nze, 6-2 Sr., Hagerty

CLASS 6A

First team

Kolby King, 6-2 Sr., Pembroke Pines Charter

Ryan Davis, 6-4 Sr., Martin County

Isaac Celiscar, 6-6 Soph., Winter Haven

Geoff Sprouse, 6-1 Sr., Pembroke Pines Charter

Reece Bloomberg, 6-4 Sr., Gulf Breeze

CLASS 5A

First team

Tony Sullivan, 6-7 Sr., Tampa King

Houston Culpepper, 6-3 Sr., Stranahan

Josiah Sabino, 6-3 Sr., Orange Park

Tristan Gross, 6-5 Jr., St. Petersburg HS

Omarayon Turner, 6-5 Sr., Pensacola Pine Forest

Third team area players

Jalen Cole, 6-2 Jr., Jones

Camerin James, 6-5 Jr., Leesburg

[ Brice Sensabaugh tops All-Area honor roll  ]

CLASS 4A

First team

Brice Sensabaugh, 6-6 Sr., Lake Highland Prep

Taylor Hendricks, 6-9 Sr., Fort Lauderdale Calvary

Marvel Allen, 6-4 Jr., Fort Lauderdale Calvary

Stephon Payne, 6-9 Sr., Andrew Jackson

Sam Walters, 6-9 Jr., Villages

Third team area player

Elijah Zuniga, 6-0 Sr., Pine Ridge

CLASS 3A

First team

Javon Bennett, 5-10 Sr., Trinity Prep

Esteban Lluberes, 5-10 Sr., Riviera Prep

Tre Donaldson, 6-3 Sr., FSU School

C.J. Hawkins, 6-6 Sr., Berkeley Prep

Karter Knox, 6-5 Soph., Tampa Catholic

Second team area player

Jayden Williams, 6-5 Sr., Windermere Prep

[ Who’s No. 1: DP, OCP or Lake Highland? Final boys basketball Super 16 ]

CLASS 2A

First team

A.J. Brown, 6-4 Sr., Orlando Christian Prep

Ven-Allen Lubin, 6-7 Sr., Orlando Christian Prep

Adrian Cruz, 6-3 Sr., Weston Sagemont

Latrell Davis, 6-2 Jr., Naples First Baptist

Damon Leigh, 6-3 Sr., Morningside Academy

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Second team area players

Ta’Veon Jones, 5-8 Soph., Central Florida Christian Academy

Reggie Vigil, 6-4 Sr., Mount Dora Christian

Third team area player

Jamar Houston, 6-2 Sr., CFCA

CLASS 1A

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First team

Shayne Davis, 6-2 Jr., Bradford

Latrell Sanders, 5-11 Sr., Paxton

Kaleb Wilson, 6-3 Sr., Malone

Jayden Florence, 6-3 Sr., Taylor County

C.J. Ingram, 6-5 Fr., Hawthorne

This report was first published at Orlandosentinel.com. Varsity Content Editor Buddy Collings can be reached by email at [email protected].