27 May 2019

NYBL South Regional Qualifier: Rpt II

Photo courtesy Amp Up Media

Andy Chavez, Gold Coast Elite 17U: A member of the Class of 2021, the 6’0 point guard from Miami Belen Jesuit was quite impressive when viewed on Saturday.  While maybe not elite in terms of speed, quickness, and athleticism, Chavez is elite when it comes to knocking down shots from beyond the arc, running an offense, and making good decisions with the ball.  Just when you think Chavez is a catch-and-shoot only scorer, he’ll put the ball on the deck and challenge the defense at the basket.

David Green, 1Family 17U (pictures above): A 6’8 forward from Ocoee, Green showed quite a bit of offensive diversity this past weekend.  The lefty is big and strong enough to score inside.  He also proved that he can generate offense when facing the basket, rather inside or outside of the three point line.  On several occasions, Green sprinted to the corner in transition and knocked down threes.  At other times, he showed he could put the ball on the floor for one or two dribbles and score from the high post and short corner areas.  He’s got a good motor, and plays hard at both ends of the court on a consistent basis.

Sheldon Taylor, Game Speed Elite 17U: The 6’6 forward from Orlando Jones is in the Class of 2021 and did a solid job of playing up.  He stuck to what he is good at, which is rebounding the ball on the defensive end, making himself available for quick shot opportunities in the lane on offense and pursuing missed shots and scoring quickly before the defense adjusts.  He’s got some length to him and if he were to play with more confidence and aggression, Taylor is probably a higher-caliber of athlete than he demonstrated in our initial viewing.

Ven Allen-Lubin, Team Parsons 2022: Lubin, a 6’6 forward out of Orlando Christian Prep, continues to have a sterling spring.  He is all kinds of active in the lane on both ends of the floor.  Defensively, he is quick to pursue and grab rebounds out of his area as well as challenge shots in the lane.  He also has a long reach and gets to many wayward passes that he deflects or outright steals.  Offensively, he is fast up the floor in transition and scores above the rim.  Lubin is also a decent low post scorer and an improving perimeter shot maker.  Not yet a sophomore, he has a very high ceiling.

Mark Cueto, Ball 4 Lyfe 9th Grade: In a very tough contest against Cream City out of Jacksonville, it seemed that every big play made toward getting Ball 4 Lyfe the win was made by Cueto.  The 6’5 forward out of Palm Beach Gardens Benjamin, scored to tie the game late in the contest then blocked a potential game-tying shot to seal the victory.  He has a good set of skills as he handles the ball in the open floor, is a willing passer inside and proved capable of making open perimeter shots.  Cueto also rebounded his area well and was active on the defensive end.

Max Humstead, Cream City 9th Grade: In that contest, the 6’3 forward out of Bartram Trail was ready for him moment.  He connected on a pair of threes in the first half as well showing no fear when attacking the basket with the dribble.  Humstead scored a couple of times that way and also earned an easy basket in transition.  He showed some potential in our first viewing of him and it will be interesting to track his progress in the future.