The national media spends 99.9% of their time covering the “major” shoe circuits during the spring and summer.  From what we saw, the following players would have no problem competing successfully on those circuits.

Trey Card, Born to Win 17U: The 6’6 wing out of Tallahassee Florida High was one of the breakout players of the spring in our view at the Source Hoops Spring Tip-Off.  Card brings a lot of versatility and production to both ends of the floor.  Too strong for smaller players and too quick for bigger ones, Card excels at taking the ball hard to the basket, finishing through contact, and earning frequent trips to the foul line.  His perimeter shot is reliable on either side of the arc and he’s become an increasingly willing and effective passer when his scoring options are cut off.  Card rebounds well at both ends of the court, has the ability to grab the defensive rebound and start the break, and can guard smaller players on the perimeter as well as bigger guys inside.

Tate Darner, 1 Family 17U: The 6’2 guard from Santa Fe Catholic in Lakeland was one of the premier shooters this travel season.  His range is very deep and he has became adept at creating his shot off the dribble.  Darner played with a great deal of confidence this spring and summer and not just with his shooting.  His ability to handle the basketball is much improved, as is his court vision and decision making.  Darner moves well without the ball and does a good job of taking advantage of what the defense gives him.  Our understanding is that he averaged over 20 points a contest at both the FABC Team Camp and the Georgia Basketball Coaches Association Team Camp during the June live period.

M.J. Harper, Judah Nation 17U: The 6’3 guard from Tallahassee Process Academy was one of the more difficult covers we saw this entire spring and summer.  He is very quick with his change of direction dribble moves and defenders evaporate away due to his strength when driving to the basket.  He has great touch and body control as he finishes in traffic through contact.  Harper’s perimeter shot is solid on both sides of the arc and while he isn’t a point guard he does take care of the ball and looks to get teammates involved at the offensive end.  He is a good rebounder and versatile defender thanks to his physical gifts.

Patrick Johnson, SWFL Red 17U: The 6’8 forward from Fort Myers Gateway Charter was impressive at the Fire and Ice event in the spring as well as the FABC Team Camp in June.  A great combination of strength and athleticism, Johnson is quick to offensive rebounds, finishes lobs well above the rim, runs the floor for scores, and has basic yet very quick post moves.  His second and third leaps are just as quick as his first.  Johnson continues to improve his face-up skills on the perimeter.  He has become adept at scoring from the high post and short corner areas with one or two dribbles and his jumper is pretty good from fifteen feet and in.  Johnson attacks rebounds and opponents’ shot attempts with a vengeance.

Darius Livingston, BTI Pressure Elite 17U: The 6’1 guard from Discovery in Lake Alfred is shifty with the ball, gets a lot of paint touches and scores creatively in the paint.  Livingston has a reliable mid-range game with both floaters and jumpers as part of his arsenal.  He also is a more than competent three-point shooter.  Livingston is effective in using ball screens as he reads the defense well and understands when to drive, pull up, or delver the ball to the open screener.  He is an active defender that harasses opposing ball-handlers and is disruptive in the passing lanes.