The All-American Jamboree, bringing together many of the best Juco, Post-Grad, and Independent HS programs east of the Mississippi, took place this past weekend at The Big House in Tavares. The field was ABSOLUETLY LOADED with talent and that is without some big names who were taking part in the USA Basketball event. We focused on the Independents as well as the schools that play in the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association.
Preston Nichols, Fort Lauderdale Prolific Prep National: A 6’7 senior committed to Yale, Nichols was arguably the top performer we caught on Friday. Lithe, long, and with great ability to levitate, he found great success slashing to the hoop. With a quick first step and long stride, Nichols covered a lot of ground swiftly with one dribble, getting him from the arc to the hoop in the blink of an eye. Despite a thin frame, he consistently finished through contact. Nichols mixed things up a bit with pull-up jumpers from mid-range and shots beyond the three-point line. He made good pass vs shot reads on the drive, attacked the glass at both ends and made an impact on the defensive end with fast hands, active feet, and good anticipation instincts.
Aiden Groce, Orlando Southeastern Prep National: A 6’2 senior committed to Sam Houston State, Groce took advantage of the absence of Beckham Black (USA Basketball) and was nothing short of spectacular on Saturday. A dynamic scorer anywhere across half-court, he seemed to get to his spots and make shots with relative ease. Groce penetrated the paint with great frequency and more times than not finished in creative fashion. He showcased an ability to hit floaters and pull-ups from various angles and was consistent off the dribble or catch from behind the three-point line. Groce excels at creating tempo, speedily pushing the ball up the floor at all times. He does a fine job of making the right reads in ball-screen action. Groce is a solid on-ball defender, reads passing lanes well, and is quick to turn opponent’s mistakes into points for his team.
Marlon Martinez, Orlando Academy of Central Florida: A 6’6 senior committed to Marquette, Martinez was consistent and efficient in his high output over the course of multiple games we took in. A crafty yet calm scorer, he makes it look easy when taking opponents to school when going one-on-one. Martinez does some of his best work attacking the defense with the dribble. He sees the floor, gets the ball to teammates if cutoff or double-teamed, but takes contact and finishes strong if that is what the defense offers up. Martinez has a reliable shot on either side of the arc, making it difficult for defenders to decide which offensive option to try to take away. Martinez was thrust into some point guard duties this weekend and held his own but clearly is more impactful when given freedom to score. He has good size, strength, and quickness to guard multiple positions on the court.
Troy Fason, Daytona Beach DME Academy: A 6’1 senior, Fason was rock solid at either guard spot this weekend. As a point guard, he has high-level ball-skills, makes good reads in ball-screen action, puts the ball where teammates can quickly and effectively use it, pushes the pace and makes good shot vs pass decision on the move. Off the ball, Fason uses screens well to free up his reliable perimeter shot and stretch defenses. A good athlete with deceptive strength, he was able to take contact and finish on a routine basis. Fason is the kind of player that can plug and play into any offensive system. His speed and quickness is impactful at the defensive end. Fason reads and reacts quickly in the passing lanes, moves his feet well when guarding the ball, and is quick to help and recover on drivers and in the post.
Jostin Hernandez Richards, Orlando Exclusive Prep: A 6’2 junior, Richards is consistently looking to make a play for himself or a teammate. Sometimes it can be high risk/high reward but far more often than not it works out well. Richards has great confidence in his ball-handling skills, court vision, and ability to know where his teammates are at all times. He is quick to get defenders at a disadvantage, attack the basket then make the quick decision to score or get the ball to a teammate for an open shot. Richards’ perimeter shot is more than adequate but his ability to breakdown defenses with the dribble is often of greater impact. He does score well at the rim and with mid-range floaters and jumpers. Richards is a crafty defender that is quick to take advantage of opponent’s errors.
Shalan Beckford, Jacksonville Potter’s House Christian: A 6’0 junior, Beckford has a solid frame, does a great job of getting paint touches, and then scoring or getting teammates involved. He keeps his head up, consistently surveying the court and reading the defense. Beckford is quick to move the ball around the perimeter or get it inside when defense is out of sync in its rotation. While Beckford didn’t take a jumper in the game we took in, his coaches tell us it has improved. If his perimeter shot can become at least respectable, he will be even more challenging for defenders. Beckford uses his strength and excellent lateral quickness very well to defend the ball and has quick hands to get tips, deflections, and steals.
Gilbert Baez, Orlando West Oaks Academy: A 6’5 senior, Baez is a prototypical wing. An excellent athlete with a solid frame, he is a scoring threat regardless of the tempo of the game. Baez is quick up the floor in transition, is a lob threat, and scores through contact. He has a reliable three-point shot and if defenders do not close out properly, Baez is quick to attack with the dribble. From there, he can pull up and knock down mid-range shots, floaters, score at the basket or quickly spray the ball out to open shooters or toss a lob to a waiting big. Baez has the length, lateral quickness, and mindset to defend a variety of positions.
Sam Pino, Kissimmee Central Pointe Christian: A 6’2 senior, Pino is a lot of fun to watch. He has deep range on his shot, can make it off the bounce or the catch, and isn’t afraid to challenge bigger defenders when taking the ball hard to the basket. Pino is a crafty ballhandler and makes good reads when using ball-screens. He will rise and fire before a switch or double-team occurs, split the gap and head to the hoop, or feed the roll man for an easy deuce. Pino finishes well with either had at the basket and is clever in finding space and gaps with which to get the ball up to the basket to score. He works hard on the defensive end to stay in front of the ball, disrupt passing lanes, and help then recover.
J.P. Oka, Fort Lauderdale Prolific Prep HS: A 6’8 junior, it is probably good for Oka not to play on a loaded Prolific Prep National team as this gives him an opportunity for more court time and game play. Oka is quite a dynamic athlete and highflyer as he found himself on the receiving end of many a lob pass. When not crushing dunks and souls above the rim, Oka could be found making shots off the catch from behind the arc. He was playing with a taped-up hand so his ball-handling skills need to be seen and evaluated without that minor hindrance. Oka crushed a few offensive rebounds as well as some opponents’ shots at the other end. Playing with great energy and athleticism, his development is certainly one to watch.
Kei Scott, Orlando Southern Coast Academy: A 6’5 junior, Scott has a high ceiling but is pretty darn good right now. He is a high-level athlete with good basketball skills. Scott is quick to the basket, finishing well with good body control and touch at the rim, and isn’t afraid to take contact. His shot is reliable on either side of the arc and he has good ball-handling skills and passing instincts. Depending on the matchup, Scott has the ability to make an impact at either the “2” or “3” position. He plays both ends of the court with great intensity and effort. Scott covers a lot of ground quickly on defense and is quick to get the ball ahead to teammates after a rebound or steal.