Prior comments permitted us to only attend the first day (Friday) of Week 2 of the Conrad P. Foss Memorial FABC Boys Showcase. These are some of the players that grabbed our attention as well as that of the many college coaches in attendance.
Falilou Mbague, Pompano Beach Highlands Christian: The listed 6’10 rising senior was arguably the best prospect in attendance for Week 2. Mbague has the desired doses of both skills and size. He can score down on the block or step away and either drive or knock down shots from the perimeter. Mbague will make open threes and if the closeout is weak, he can go hard to the basket and finish above the rim. He has enough ball-skills to grab a rebound at the defensive end and push the ball up the floor. Mbague works the glass well at both ends of the floor and has the physical tools to be a multi-positional defender.
Arik Ring, Lakeland Victory Christian: The 6’11 rising sophomore did everything one would hope a developing “big” would do. Ring was highly active around the basket at both ends of the court. On offense, he had some successful post-up scores, converted multiple lob opportunities, got some putback points, and beat defenders down the court in transition. As a bonus, he sank a three off the catch. Defensively, he protects the rim, changes shots, and showed he could step out and defend on the perimeter. Additional gains in strength and game experience will only make him a more coveted recruit in the future.
Keylon Williams, P’Cola Booker T. Washington: The 6’2 rising junior was very impressive when came to putting the ball in the basket. Williams converted drives well in traffic, hit shots from the perimeter on either side of the arc off the catch as well as the bounce, and was fast to get ahead of the defense in transition. He is quite quick with the ball, makes good pass vs. shot decisions on the move, and is unafraid to take shots in big moments. Williams had multiple steals for scores in the game we took in as he was disruptive in the passing lanes and tormented opponents with fast hands and feet.
Jadus Sorhaindo, Riverview Bell Creek Academy: A 6’8 rising senior, Sorhaindo is content to do his damage in the paint and does a lot of it. He has good footwork in the post, featuring quick spin moves and powerful drop steps. Sorhaindo showed a soft touch with either hand around the basket. He can either back a defender down with his strong frame or face up and go by the defender with a ball, body, and/or foot fake. Sorhaindo pursues rebound out of his area at both ends of the floor and gets a decent amount of second chance points. While not a great leaper, he holds his ground inside, denies position, and plays physically without fouling at the defensive end of the floor.
Jeremiah Reeder, Hilliard: A 5’10 rising junior, Reeder displayed many valuable point guard qualities. He took care of the basketball, found teammates for easy shot opportunities, connected on open perimeter shots, and made good decisions with the ball when penetrating the defense and attacking the basket. Reeder is a willing post passer, gets the ball to cutters at the right time and place, and doesn’t overcomplicate the game with a lot of purposeless dribbling. He has quick feet and hands on defense, a nose for the ball in the passing lanes and long rebounds and isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body to take a charge.
Brock Bass-Bonner, Naples Classical: A 6’8 rising senior, Bonner has excellent size, athleticism, and ball skills. The lefty spent the game running the offense from the point. If the defense allows him to get downhill going to his strong hand, it is either a bucket, free throws, or an “and one” opportunity. Bonner has the strength, touch, and toughness to finish through contact. He has the athleticism, wingspan, and foot speed to pretty much defend any position on the court.
A.J. Jenkins, Wiregrass Ranch: A 5’11 rising junior, Jenkins is an efficient multi-level scorer. With a rugged frame and solid ball-handling skills, he is able to get past or overpower most defenders, attack the basket, and make good things happen for the team. Jenkins more often than not finds a way to score or a teammate with an open shot attempt. In the game we took in, he seemed more comfortable driving for scores but did show an ability to connect on perimeter shots on either side of the arc when the ball got to him. Jenkins is wired to score but was more than willing to give up the ball to a teammate with a better scoring opportunity both on the break and in the half-court. He is solid in guarding the ball and is quick to help and recover.
Yeferson Sanchez, Miami Divine Savior: A 6’8 rising senior, Sanchez has some inside/outside skill and physical toughness that make him intriguing. He seems comfortable and effective shooting the ball from the perimeter to eighteen feet and can put the ball on the floor and score with one or two dribbles on a strong, straight-line drive. Sanchez rebounds his area at both ends of the floor, works hard to deny position, and defends physically without fouling.
Jaidyn Davis, Hilliard: A 6’7 rising sophomore, Davis shows not only great potential down the road but has a sizable floor at this early stage in his career. He has a solid frame and plenty of bounce for a young player his size. He runs the floor well, plays with an excellent energy level at both ends, and is quick to rebounds. Davis has a good touch inside, challenges shots around the rim, and has the physical abilities to step out and defend on the perimeter.