We took in one of our favorite events this past weekend as the All-American Jamboree rolled through The Big House in Tavares. A combination of college coaches from across the country and a bevy of talented players makes the Jamboree one of the better events of the year. We focused our attention on the teams from the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association and came away excited for the upcoming season in one of the best basketball conferences in the country.
Thiago Sucatzky, Miami Prep: A 6’0 senior and Southern Miss commit, the lefty is a lot of fun to watch. Sucatzky has great handles, court vision, and passing instincts. He gets to the basket and finishes well with either hand. Sucatzky proved that he can hit perimeter shots, making a couple of deep threes in a tight contest. He has active hands and feet on defense, anticipates the passing lanes well, and is quick to help and recover. It wouldn’t surprise if he played for his native Argentina in the Olympics one day.
Landyn Colyer, Tampa Specially Fit Academy: The 6’6 junior was one of the better shooters we saw during our time at the Jamboree. Colyer routinely found the target off the catch or using ball-screens to give himself space. He has good positional size, finishes well in transition, is an active rebounder and reliable from the foul line. Colyer plays with a high level of energy and effort at both ends of the court. He covers a lot of ground quickly on defense and uses his length to his advantage in denying passes and challenging shots.
Evan Sterck, Gainesville The Rock School: A 6’2 senior and Jacksonville commit, Sterck is poised for a stellar season. One of the few holdovers from last season’s SIAA champion, Sterck will be expected to provide points as well as run the offense. That shouldn’t be an issue as he makes good decisions with the ball, sees the floor well and delivers passes on time and on target. Sterck shoots the ball well from the perimeter and looks to push the pace whenever possible. He works hard on defense, forcing opponents to struggle to get into their offense.
Willie Burnett, Orlando West Oaks Academy: A 6’4 junior, Burnett had a big bounce back game from the performance we took in a few weeks ago at the Fall Festival. Not only was the three ball dropping (7-11 for the game) but he showed some toughness on the offensive glass and a bit more mid-range scoring ability. Burnett is active and aggressive in guarding the basketball and covers a lot of ground quickly at that end of the floor. He came away with an offer from George Mason after the game and no doubt more offers from higher level schools will be forthcoming.
Andre Ngomabie, Bradenton Victory Rock Prep: A 6’10 senior and native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ngomabie showed a little bit of scoring skill around the basket but he made his biggest impact as a rebounder, rim runner, and paint patroller. He has good length and leaping ability, plays with great effort, and seemingly never gives up on a rebound. Many of Ngomabie’s points came on putbacks that required more than a single effort. He is able to impact a game without being a focal point of the offense.
Martay Barnes, Orlando Academy of Central Florida: A 6’2 sophomore, Barnes didn’t have the ball in his hands a lot but when he did good things happened. He hit some timely three-point shots and created assists by attacking the basket and getting the ball quickly to open teammates when the defense collapsed on him. An active and excellent on-ball defender, he uses his speed, quickness, and length to force opponents into mistakes and turnovers. Barnes came up big by hitting the game winning free throw with just a few ticks left on the clock.
Jahmarion Forrester, Clearwater Balboa School: A 6’10 senior, despite his size and length Forrester is much more comfortable on the perimeter. He makes shots from eighteen feet and in and scores on one and two-dribble drives from the perimeter. Forrester gets hustle points by attacking the offensive glass and beating the defense down the floor in transition. He proved to be a decent passer in the half-court and was quick to outlet the ball once securing the defensive rebound.
David Watson, Miami Prep: A 6’6 junior, Watson proved to be a much better athlete than we initially thought. He likes to attack the basket and does so in transition, on short drives, and cuts into the lane. Watson will finish better as he gets physically stronger. His perimeter shot looks solid and he made a few of them but he didn’t take many, choosing instead to challenge the defense with the dribble. Watson rebounds well against taller opponents and has the ability to defend on the perimeter as well as in the post.
Kiffen Teixeira & Flamio Mateus, Orlando West Oaks: Teixeira, a 6’5 senior from Angola, is the offensive stat sheet stuffer for West Oaks. He makes the most of his opportunities, hits open perimeter shots, impacts the offensive glass, runs the floor, and keeps the ball moving in half-court settings. Mateus, a 6’8 senior from Angola, is the defensive stat sheet stuffer for the team. He is long, blocks shots, covers ground quickly, does a good job when it comes to helping on the ball and recovering to his man, disrupts the passing lanes, and defends multiple positions.
Jayden Dixie, Orlando Southeastern Prep: A 6’6 senior and native of the Virgin Islands, the lithe lefty is a confident three-point shooter and he makes enough to be respected. He is a good athlete with length and helps out on the glass at both ends of the floor. Dixie has the physical tools to be a versatile defender.