Gene Frenette,Clayton FreemanJacksonville Florida Times-Union
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The Times-Union rolls out No. 100 through No. 91 in the Jax Top 100 series, highlighting top athletes in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida history.
100. RENNIA DAVIS/BASKETBALL
Age: 25
High school: Ribault
College: Tennessee
Accomplishments: A high-scoring forward for Ribault and Tennessee women's basketball, she followed fellow Trojan Erica White as one of only two Jacksonville WNBA draftees. ... Selected No. 9 overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2021 WNBA Draft, but has been limited to eight league games (one with Minnesota, seven with Indiana) following a stress fracture to her foot and other injuries. ... Ranks ninth all-time for the Lady Vols with 1,815 points from 2017-21, playing 118 games (116 starts) and leading the team in scoring three times. ... Also ranks 10th all-time at Tennessee in rebounds (947), ninth in points per game (15.4), ninth in field goals (696), sixth in free throw percentage (.916) and fourth in double-doubles (39). ... Highest-scoring season was 2019-20, when she averaged 18 points per game before COVID-19 ended the year. ... Two-time first-team Coaches All-SEC selection in 2020 and 2021. ... One of only four McDonald's All-Americans for women's basketball from the Jacksonville area. ... At Ribault, won the Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Basketball Award and Gatorade Player of the Year while recording 2,304 points and 1,043 rebounds from 2013-17. ... Won three Florida High School Athletic Association championships, averaging 26.3 points and 10.5 rebounds as a senior.
Deserving because: Although injuries have hampered her professional career to date in a league with fewer than 150 roster spots, she earned iconic status with the most storied program in women's college basketball in Tennessee as well as Northeast Florida's premier hoops dynasty in Ribault. When healthy, she has a strong chance to move higher on this list.
On Davis:"She understood the legacy. She knew all the great players [at Ribault] and she knew, from the day she walked through the doors, that she wanted to be listed among them." — Shelia Seymore-Pennick, former Ribault head basketball coach.
Where she is now:Still working to resume her WNBA career after protracted bouts with injuries, Davis began the preseason with the Connecticut Sun but was released in May without playing a regular-season game for the club. She signed in May with Panteras de Aguascalientes in Mexico, averaging 10.1 points per game as of June 15.
99. AMER DELIC/TENNIS
Age: 42
High school: Wolfson
College: Illinois
Accomplishments: Played 10 years on the ATP Tour, reaching a high of No. 60 in the world. ... Served as captain of Bosnia's Davis Cup team. ... Qualified for 10 Grand Slam tournaments in singles and advanced to the Australian Open third round in 2009, losing to reigning champion Novak Djokovic. ... Also qualified for 10 Grand Slams in doubles, reaching the U.S. Open third round in 2005 and 2007. ... Won six tournaments on the ATP Tour's developmental Challenger circuit. ... Three-time All-American at the University of Illinois, where he won the NCAA Division I individual singles championship and the team championship in 2003. ... Named Big Ten Athlete of the Year, covering all NCAA sports, in 2003. ... A rare four-time All-First Coast player of the year in boys tennis from 1997 to 2000. ... Won the FHSAA Class 5A championship in 1999, the most recent boys individual singles title for a Duval County public school. ... Finished 45-2 in his high school singles career. ... Born in the former Yugoslavia, he and his family escaped war in Bosnia to move to Jacksonville in 1996.
Deserving because: He's the most successful professional tennis player to come out of Jacksonville, and surmounted daunting challenges on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to build a solid career on the court.
On his tennis development after moving to Florida:"Growing up in Bosnia, I was pretty good, but I never really stuck out. Once I came here and starting winning some local tournaments, it kind of got my confidence going. It was a snowball effect. You need that little breakthrough." — Amer Delic, after winning the NCAA championship in 2003.
Where he is now:Living in Austin, Texas, where he is vice president of business development at investment firm Pennybacker Capital. Like several other prominent retired tennis players, he's been active in pickleball and helped launch the Major League Pickleball series a few years ago.
98. TERRENCE FLAGLER/FOOTBALL
Age: 59
High School: Fernandina Beach
College: Clemson
Accomplishments: A first-team All-America tailback at Clemson in 1986 and first-round draft choice (No. 25 overall) of the San Francisco 49ers in 1987, he played parts of five NFL seasons with the 49ers (1987-89) and the Phoenix Cardinals (1990-91). … Won two Super Bowls in San Francisco, but saw little action on offense as Roger Craig's understudy. … In 1989, he rushed for 129 yards on 33 carries and scored one TD and also returned 32 kicks for 643 yards and another TD. … After a preseason stint with Dallas, signed by Phoenix in 1990 and enjoyed his best season with four touchdowns: two on kickoff returns, one rushing and one receiving. … Finished his NFL career with 237 yards rushing and 366 yards receiving. … Finished his Clemson career with 2,162 yards rushing on 379 carries for 5.7 average and 17 touchdowns. … Became a full-time starter in his senior year, rushing for 1,258 yards and 10 TDs on 192 carries and leading Clemson to ACC championship. … Named first-team All-American by Football Writers Association, and runner-up for ACC Player of the Year. ... Set Clemson's record (since surpassed) for all-purpose yardage with 274 yards against Wake Forest in 1986. … Had six 100-yard rushing games, including 210 yards in 31-17 win at Virginia and 209 yards in 28-20 win at Wake Forest. … At Fernandina Beach, he led Northeast Florida with 1,683 yards on 200 carries and 20 TDs in 1981. … Had one of Northeast Florida's greatest individual games in history with 405 yards rushing and seven TDs against West Nassau on Oct. 23, 1981. … Named to Times-Union's Super 24 team. … Led his district in scoring in both football and basketball. ... Finished his playing career with the Jacksonville Tomcats in the short-lived arenafootball2. ... Named to Clemson Hall of Fame in 2013.
Deserving because: Had one of the most phenomenal amateur careers of any running back from this area. An underachieving NFL career kept him from a more prominent ranking on this list.
On Flagler: "He didn't run as good as a lot of guys in-between the tackles. But he was absolutely the most elusive guy in the open field that I ever coached. He just did some unbelievable things." — Donnie Braddock, former Fernandina Beach head football coach, for 1999 T-U series.
Where he is now: Works in Bradenton as head coach of the post-graduate football squad for high school superpower IMG Academy, a role he's occupied since 2021.
97. FRED WEARY/FOOTBALL
Age: 50
High School: Mandarin
College: Florida
Accomplishments: Lightly recruited out of Mandarin, Weary set Florida's all-time interceptions record, earned first-team All-American honors, captured an NCAA championship and played 83 NFL games in six seasons with New Orleans (1998-2001), Atlanta (2002) and St. Louis (2003). … Started 25 NFL games, all but two of them in 1999 and 2000, and intercepted seven passes, returning one for a 63-yard touchdown on Dec. 13, 1998. … Also forced a fumble and recovered two on special teams in 1999. … Drafted in fourth round (No. 97) in 1998. … A two-time first-team All-SEC selection for Gators, he won first-team All-American in 1997, finishing among three finalists for Jim Thorpe Award as nation's top DB. … Grabbed a UF-record 15 career interceptions, six in 1997. … Scored two defensive touchdowns (64-yard interception and fumble returns) in 1996 season opener vs. Southwestern Louisiana, and made game-clinching pass deflection with 57 seconds left in 1994 SEC Championship as a freshman against Alabama. … Played three positions in high school at newly-opened Mandarin, never coming off the field in 1992 except for field goals and PATs. … Rushed for 1,801 career yards and had more than 500 yards in receptions at Mandarin, and as a senior, recorded 79 tackles with five interceptions for 203 return yards. … Named second-team All-State in Class 4A. … Averaged 18 points per game for Mandarin basketball. ... Voted into UF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.
Deserving because: Still among the Gators' most successful DBs of all time as a key part of UF's 1996 national championship team, and put together a decent NFL career as well.
On Weary: "The best way to describe Fred is he loves the stage. In his first high school game, I asked him to return the opening kickoff and told him to just do the best he can. He said, 'Coach, I'm going to score.' Eighty-seven yards later, he was standing in the end zone. He just always believed he'd make big plays." — Ricky Medlock, former Mandarin head football coach, for 1999 T-U series.
Where he is now: Weary remains in the Jacksonville area, part of a family athletic tradition that keeps growing. Daughter Bella, who won All-First Coast basketball accolades at Bartram Trail High School, transferred in April to Arkansas State ahead of her junior year of NCAA hoops.
96. DEZ WHITE/FOOTBALL
Age: 44
High school: Bolles
College: Georgia Tech
Accomplishments: A six-year NFL wide receiver with the Bears (2000-03) and Falcons (2004-05), White gained 2,149 yards on 187 receptions with 11 touchdowns in 82 league games (49 starts). … Selected in third round (No. 69) by Bears in 2000 NFL Draft. … Worked his way into starting lineup for Chicago by third year, catching 51 passes for 656 yards and four scores. … Caught 49 passes for 583 yards and three touchdowns in 2003, then moved to Falcons with 30 receptions for 370 yards and two scores in 2004. … Went on injured reserve with sprained knee in December 2005 and his NFL career ended soon afterward. … Still on Georgia Tech leaderboard after 90 receptions for 1,833 yards receiving (seventh in Yellow Jackets history) and 14 touchdowns (tied for fourth) as well as 3,601 all-purpose yards (11th). … Caught 44 passes for 860 yards and five touchdowns in 1999, leading ACC with 19.6 yards per reception. … Co-MVP of Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, 1999 with eight receptions for 100 yards, including the game-winning score, to beat Notre Dame 35-28. … Biletnikoff Award semifinalist in 1998 and two-time second-team All-ACC. … Helped Bolles to state football title in 1995 and started on 1996 state runner-up that was ranked No. 1 by USA TODAY before upset loss to Bartow in FHSAA final. … Also second-team All-First Coast in soccer in 1996-97. … His uncle, Adrian White, also played in the NFL with the Giants, Packers and Patriots.
Deserving because: He's still among the all-time top receivers in Georgia Tech history and helped energize the Yellow Jackets' most exciting team of the past 30 years. Anybody with upward of 2,000 career NFL yards can claim a pretty solid career.
On White: "We went up to Atlanta Marist to play a game and he caught this over-the-shoulder pass that I don't think many people could make, but he'd been working on just that kind of catch. Then he kicked a field goal. He could do it all, safety, kicker, returner, 100-200 guy in track and then soccer." — Antonio Roundtree, former Bolles cornerback and teammate.
Where he is now: Following his football career, White resides in the Atlanta area and serves as president of The Body Firm Atlanta, a gym that also provides personal training and corporate fitness programs.
95. BEN GAMEL/BASEBALL
Age: 32
High school: Bishop Kenny
Accomplishments: Corner outfielder has eight MLB seasons under his belt with New York Yankees (2016), Seattle (2016-18), Milwaukee (2019-20), Cleveland (2021), Pittsburgh (2021-22) and San Diego (2023). … Through June 15, Gamel has a .252 MLB batting average with 108 doubles, 40 home runs, 200 RBI and 21 steals in 685 games. … Played in a majority of his team's games in every year from 2017-22 and had his peak season in 2017 with Mariners (.275, 27 doubles, 11 homers, 59 RBI in 134 games), when he led the AL batting race at .335 after July 4 before fading in second half. … International League Player of the Year in 2016 with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. … Had signed with Florida State, but elected pro baseball after the Yankees selected him in 10th round (No. 325) of 2010 draft. … Batted .507 as a Bishop Kenny senior with 32 RBI and 36 runs scored. … Three-time first-team All-First Coast honoree helped BK to Class 4A championship in 2008, when he batted .475 and scored 45 runs.
Deserving because: Though big-league star status has eluded him so far, Gamel maintained a regular lineup spot in MLB outfields for a half-dozen years and contributed to several strong ballclubs.
On his itinerant baseball career: "Not everybody plays their entire career in the big leagues. Some debut at 30, some debut at 20. I'm kind of in-between, and I'm still excited to play baseball. When you're young and in the minor leagues, you're living for that day. To be able to take care of a family and still play a game, that's pretty special. To do it for as long as I have is just a blessing." — Ben Gamel, in a spring training T-U baseball feature.
Where he is now: Gamel is still active in the Mets organization with Triple-A Syracuse. As of June 15, he holds a batting average of .306, seven home runs and 23 RBI and could be on course for a National League return as the Mets chase a wild-card berth. Note: Gamel made his Mets debut as a defensive replacement June 26, after this installment of Jax Top 100 went to press.
94. MELISA MOSES HYAMS/DIVING
Age: 52
High school: Orange Park
College: Florida, North Florida
Accomplishments: A two-time national champion on the 3-meter springboard, winning the title in 1994 and repeating in 1995. ... Also won the 1-meter national title in 1994. ... Qualified for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, finishing fourth and just two points shy of a bronze medal. ... Earned a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. ... Finished sixth at the 1992 Olympic Trials and failed to make the team. ... Placed third in 3-meter at 1992 National Diving Championships. ... Won the 1-meter springboard title at the Alamo International, the first U.S. woman in four years to win an international event. ... Fighting back from three shoulder surgeries in a 10-month span, she qualified for the Olympic Trials for a third time in 2000 but suffered another shoulder injury prior to the Olympic Trials and placed 13th to miss out on the Games. ... Turned to diving after nearly becoming paralyzed from gymnastics accident in 1987.
Deserving because: Though she didn't medal in the Olympics, her diving career placed her among the world's elite for nearly a decade. Maintaining a top-level career in the high-impact, high-precision diving world through three Olympic Trials is a hard feat.
On the Olympic diving experience:"People say to me, 'We loved watching you up there. You looked like you were having a great time.' It's funny to me because when I was up there, that doesn't even cross your mind, but I was having such a great time. And when the crowd started cheering and going crazy out there, I couldn't help but smile." — Melisa Moses Hyams, upon returning to Orange Park from the Atlanta Olympics.
Where she is now:She's still close to the pool and coaches young divers around the First Coast, including a role as assistant coach at Bolles. Previously, she led the University of North Florida team before the Ospreys' diving program ceased competition a decade ago.
93. RAY NETTLES/FOOTBALL
Age: Deceased
High School: Englewood
College: Tennessee
Accomplishments: An All-America middle linebacker at Tennessee in 1971, he played for nine seasons (1972-80) in the Canadian Football League with five teams and entered the CFL Hall of Fame in 2005. ... Drafted in the sixth round by the Miami Dolphins but elected to sign with the British Columbia Lions. … Named to CFL All-Star teams in first three years and won the Schenley Award as the league's top lineman, including offense, defense and linebackers, in 1973. … Drafted in fifth round by WFL Jacksonville Sharks and signed a tentative agreement to play for the Sharks in 1974 but backed out when part of his salary wasn't guaranteed. … Traded from B.C. to Toronto Argonauts for three players in 1976 and was team's defensive MVP, leading Toronto to CFL semifinals. … Traded again the following year to Hamilton Tiger-Cats and was also team's defensive MVP before playing last two years with Ottawa Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders. … Retired midway through 1980 season with back problems and returned to Jacksonville to play with the semi-pro Firebirds in 1981. … Starting linebacker at Tennessee in 1970 and 1971, earning first-team All-SEC honors with 108 tackles and 66 assists. … Played in Senior Bowl and Coaches' All-America game, and named Outstanding Defensive Player in 14-13 Liberty Bowl victory over Arkansas with 10 tackles and four assists. … At Englewood, named third-team All-State in 1967 and Defensive Player of the Year in Duval County. … Also MVP of Meninak Bowl.
Deserving because: He continued the Tennessee tradition of great linebackers, having replaced future NFL standout Jack Reynolds, and was impact player on UT teams that went 21-3 in his last two college seasons. His CFL career certified him as one of the best defensive players to come out of Jacksonville.
On Nettles: "Ray is probably one of the top seven or eight linebackers that ever played in the CFL. He always had the long hair and the motorcycle, but the fans loved him. He was the ultimate tough guy." — Bobby Ackles, former B.C. Lions general manager, for 1999 T-U series.
Where he is now: Died at age 60 on Sept. 20, 2009.
92. HARMON WAGES/FOOTBALL
Age: 78
High School: Lee
College: Florida
Accomplishments: Played five seasons as running back for Atlanta Falcons before suffering a career-ending knee injury in 1974. … Never drafted, but rushed for 1,321 yards and five touchdowns in NFL career, and caught 85 passes for 765 yards and five TDs. … Performed a rare NFL feat on Dec. 7, 1969, when he ran 66 yards for a touchdown, caught an 88-yard pass for another TD and threw a 16-yard scoring pass in a 45-17 win over the New Orleans Saints — a trifecta since achieved by only Walter Payton, David Patten, LaDainian Tomlinson and Christian McCaffrey. … Alternated between fullback and halfback for most of his pro career but missed the entire 1972 season and parts of 1973 with a knee injury, then reinjured the knee in workouts before the 1974 season and was forced to retire. … Lettered at Florida for three years (1965-67), but spent nearly his entire career as a backup quarterback to Steve Spurrier or Larry Rentz. … Returned from injury to start late in his senior year, completing 17 of 27 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown along with 63 yards rushing and two scores on the ground in 28-12 win against Kentucky. … Finished his college career with 700 passing yards and 243 rushing yards on 80 carries. … Named first-team All-City and All-State as quarterback at Lee in 1963, rushing for almost 900 yards. ... Led Generals to records of 8-2 and 7-3 in two seasons as starter.
Deserving because: Though his insistence on playing quarterback at Florida and not switching positions cost him playing time, he redeemed himself a bit in the NFL by showing flashes of brilliance with the Falcons.
On Wages: "If Harmon had come along a year before Steve Spurrier, then Steve might have been chasing him. Looking back, everybody asks me why I didn't play him at running back. I guess Harmon was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." — Ray Graves, former Florida head football coach, for 1999 T-U series.
Where he is now: Now retired and living in South Carolina. In 2022, Wages released his autobiography — "The Butcher's Boy," written with veteran Georgia journalist Stan Awtrey — detailing his NFL career and his off-field challenges before and after football.
91. DON BESSENT/BASEBALL
Age: Deceased
High School: Lee
College: None
Accomplishments: Pitched four years (1955-58) as primarily a reliever with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, compiling a 14-7 record with a 3.33 ERA. … Had his best year as a 24-year-old rookie in 1955, going 8-1 with a 2.70 ERA as Brooklyn won its first World Series. … Originally signed with the New York Yankees for $6,000 in 1950, but developed arm problems and was picked up by Brooklyn in 1953. … Made the team in 1955 spring training, got optioned back to Triple-A St. Paul, then won his only career starts against Cincinnati and Chicago in his first two pitching assignments. … Finished season with 29 strikeouts and 21 walks in 63 1/3 innings for Brooklyn. … Pitched in three World Series games, going 3 1/3 innings and yielding just one unearned run. … Pitched in 38 games as a reliever in 1956, going 4-3 with 2.50 ERA, and closed out the win over Pittsburgh Pirates on the last game of the season to clinch the National League pennant. … Won Game 2 of the 1956 World Series against the Yankees, pitching seven innings in relief and allowing just two runs on six hits as Dodgers rallied from 6-0 deficit to win 13-8. … Pitched three innings in Game 7, allowing one unearned run in three innings of 7-0 Yankee victory. … Tore ligaments in his shoulder before 1957 spring training and was limited to 68 innings work with Dodgers over his last two seasons. … Never made it back to big leagues after 1958 and finished career with Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs in 1962. … Inducted into Jacksonville Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. … Made his amateur mark as star pitcher for Legion Post 9 Generals, leading them to Florida state titles in 1948 and 1949. … Compiled a 22-2 record in 1949 as Generals reached the Little World Series championship game in Indianapolis, the first Florida team to achieve that feat. … Bessent's two losses were at Little World Series, including 4-1 in championship game to Trenton, N.J. … Threw a no-hitter in state tournament in Ocala.
Deserving because: He's the first pitcher from this area to make an impact in the major leagues and he played a significant role on two National League pennant winners, compiling a 1.35 ERA in the World Series.
On Bessent: "I wish there would have been a radar gun in those days to measure how fast his pitches were. I batted against him in Triple-A and he threw a heavy ball that even if you made contact, it just knocked the bat out of your hand. In Legion ball, he just overpowered everybody we played." — Foster Castleman, former Legion Post 9 teammate and former New York Giants infielder, for 1999 T-U series.
Where he is now: Died at age 59 on July 7, 1990, in Jacksonville.
