Thiago Sucatzky, Miami Divine Savior: A 6’0 junior and member of Argentina’s junior national team, Sucatzky was extremely impressive in his ability to run a team, make the game easier for his teammates, and mastery of the nuances of the game. In this type of setting it is extremely rare to see a group of alpha-dogs defer to a player but once they learned that if they keep moving Sucatzky will find them, they were more than happy to let him run the show. He may not have shown much in the way of perimeter shooting, but boy was he fun to watch.
Joseph Gayle, Fort Pierce Central: A 6’4 junior, Gayle excels in this type of setting. Athletic, active, and aggressive, he routinely got to the basket, be it on the break or in the half-court, and creatively finished. Gayle was also impressive in his ability to create and make perimeter shots off the dribble. Defensively, he is quick to the ball in the passing lanes, and has active hands and feet when defending opposing ball-handlers.
Patrick Olajuwon, Orlando Downey Christian: A 6’7 junior, Olajuwon player with great energy and effort, resulting in a lot of production. He is the ultimate slasher, whether it is running the floor in transition or attacking off the dribble. Olajuwon was quite impressive as a rebounder, especially at the offensive end. He also showed a great deal of defensive versatility.
Michael Harper, Tallahassee Process Academy: A 6’3 junior, Harper was very difficult to contain on Saturday afternoon. Strong and athletic, he seemingly got to the basket and scored anytime he wanted to. Harper also seemed to be a good set-up man with several assists as well as an active offensive rebounder. He didn’t show off a perimeter shot but he didn’t need to in order to be effective.
Emmanuel Kamara, Orlando West Oaks: A 6’8 junior, Kamara was quite the revelation on Saturday afternoon. He displayed some ball-skills and perimeter shooting that we had not seen before. He ran the court, put back missed shots, had some successful one and two dribble drives for scores and had a couple of nice passes to cutting teammates. Kamara challenged shots on defense and quick to the ball coming off the rim.
C.J. Ingram, Hawthorne: A 6’5 junior, Ingram is a high-level athlete that is very skilled. He can play multiple positions as he handles the ball well, has very good court vision, makes good decisions with the basketball and can make shots on either side of the arc. Ingram is active on defense, moves his feet well, and is disruptive in the passing lanes.
T.J. Drain, Windermere HS: A 6’8 junior, Drain is a modern-day big that can effectively patrol the paint on offense and defense, while also being able to step away from the basket area and make shots. A solid shot-blocker and rim runner, Drain seemingly improves every time he takes the court. Expect his recruitment to take a big bounce this spring and summer.
Matt Able, Tampa Berkeley Prep: A 6’5 junior, Able is a wing prospect with skill and athleticism. An excellent perimeter shooter, he also strong off the bounce with the ability to finish above the rim in a crowd. Able is a solid ball-handler and passer while defensively he covers a lot of ground quickly and is always alert for lazy passes into his area.
Alex Lloyd, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy: The 6’4 junior will be a highly coveted prospect this spring and summer. He is skilled, athletic, plays hard at both ends, and is a proven winner. His perimeter shot is consistently accurate from behind the arc, he completes tough plays in a crowd at the basket and defensively he is disruptive in the passing lanes.
Anthony Knowles, Hialeah Mater Lakes: A 6’0 junior, Knowles is a tough, physical guard that consistently looks to attack the defense and the basket with the dribble. He seeks out contact in hopes of getting a call and/or an “and one” opportunity. Knowles is quick to pass the ball out to open perimeter shooters if no path to the basket is found. His jumper can be streaky but still must be respected.
Christian Maxon, Fort Pierce Central: A 6’2 junior, Maxon’s three-point shot was falling consistently in the four-on-four game we watched. With deep range and a quick release, he is really difficult to defend when he gets going out on the perimeter. This sets up his ability to drive and either score or distribute.
Trevon Torchon, Jacksonville Potter’s House Academy: A 6’3 junior, Torchon shot the ball well from behind the arc. He also showed speed and quickness with the ball, pushing the pace and getting past defenders into the paint.
Lathan Coleman, South Plantation: A 6’6 junior, his perimeter shot didn’t go down in the game we took in but Coleman adjusted, finding ways to score at the basket. He had a couple of drives for scores, moved without the ball and teammates found him for shots at the rim.
Mo Kamara, Orlando University: A 6’8 junior, Kamara is very athletic with improving strength and skills. He will score around the basket if not played physically, is quick off the floor for boards and blocks, is swift in transition, and is a lob threat when coming off ball-screens.
Austin Davenport, Jacksonville Oakleaf: A 6’6 junior, Davenport is long and athletic. He can step away from the basket and make perimeter shots as well as put the ball on the floor for a dribble or two and score at the rim. He is quick to rebounds at both ends of the floor and challenges shots.