DeAndre Harvey, Gainesville The Rock School: The 6’5 senior showcased a full arsenal Saturday. With good positional size, strength, and athleticism, his physicality at times overwhelmed the team from Germany. Harvey has always been a strong driver and finisher, but now he impacts the game as a perimeter shooter. A solid secondary ball-handler, he can instigate offense and push the ball up the floor with good results in transition. Harvey is quick into the passing lanes and active on the glass.
Matheo M’Vando, SLZB Berlin: M’Vondo looks to be around 6’4 and we are going to label him a senior but we could not get a definitive answer to that question. He was impressive as a catch-and-shoot artist, quickly getting his feet set and releasing the ball before defenders could close out and impact his shot. M’Vando had some moments as a rebounder and passer, so there is apparently more there than just a single skill. A decent athlete, he is someone we would like to see more off should the opportunity present itself.
Henry Robinson, Deltona Pine Ridge: A 6’7 (possibly 6’8) junior, Robinson has an abundance of physical talent. A solid frame, lengthy wingspan, and top shelf run/jump athleticism give him a high ceiling. He started off the game with right (dominant) hand wrapped but took that off after a subpar first quarter. In the second and third quarters, Robinson showed why he is so highly regarded, draining 4 of 5 threes with two of those ending up being four-point plays. He gets very high on his shot and seems unbothered by a defensive close contest. Robinson was unable to sustain that rate of success in the final period. We think his game would be greatly enhanced if he became more active on the glass and used his physical gifts to create easy points by turning defense into offense.
Kaiden King, Windermere: A 6’4 sophomore, Saturday may have been King’s coming out party. Coming into the contest, we knew he was a solid athlete that played with good energy. During the game King showed promising scoring ability from all three levels, going 3-4 from deep, pulling up from mid-range, and scoring near the basket by moving without the ball and finding openings in the defense. As he gains experience and physical maturity, King will certainly make a greater impact when it comes to rebounding and defense. It feels like he is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.
Zaire Colbert, Gainesville The Rock School: A 6’1 freshman, Colbert has the frame and game of a solid college prospect. Strong frame, strong handles, and a fearless attitude put him a step or two ahead of most freshmen. Colbert showed a reliable perimeter stroke on either side of the arc as well as the ability to finish drives through contact at the basket. He pushes the pace when possible but never forces the issue. Colbert is quick to get the ball to teammates for good shots. Defensively he is active and uses his strength well to keep opponents in front of him.
Bryce Hoffert, Windermere: It seems like every time we watch the 6’5 junior, we come away a bit more intrigued with his potential. A good athlete with a well-rounded skill set, Hoffert impresses as a passer, quickly finding open teammates after grabbing rebounds or when double-teamed inside. A crafty offensive rebounder, he’ll dunk a putback but also quickly find an open shooter for a spot-up three. Hoffert is a credible perimeter shooter, moves well without the ball and will finish cuts and lobs above the rim.
Tony Guerrero, Miami SLAM: The 6’0 senior is fun to watch with his ability to create and make shots, both at the rim or beyond the arc. He reads defenders well, has an uncanny sense of when to take advantage of them being off-balance or out of position, and then drive to the rim or step back for a jumper. Guerrero is physically tough and willingly accepts contact, often getting to the line and completing old-fashioned three-point plays. He is adept at initiating offense and getting others involved but has value as a scorer when the shot clock is winding down. Guerrero is a pesky defender.
Yohane Kabongo, Daytona Beach DME Academy: A 6’9 junior, Kabongo is the walking embodiment of the term “upside”. He ticks off all the physical tools boxes with size, strength, and athleticism. Kabongo also plays with great effort each possession. He runs the floor, protects the rim, sets a mean screen, and does a solid job of hedging and recovering to his man in ball-screen action. Just when we thought he might be limited as an interior scorer, Kabongo stepped out and made a three-pointer like it was second nature. If that part of his game continues to bloom and grow into a reliable weapon, all bets are off. Kabongo should be one of the more intriguing and attractive prospects on the circuit this coming spring and summer.
Leandro Liburd, Kissimmee BCAT Academy: A 6’6 sophomore, Liburd impresses with his chiseled frame, bounce, and effectiveness around the basket. He has good touch around the rim, chases rebounds out of his area without fouling and is quick to transition down the court at the end of every possession. Liburd came up with three steals in the contest, a testament to his alertness and awareness at that end of the floor. There is certainly some skill work to be done to make a move to the perimeter should he not grow much more. Liburd is an intriguing prospect to watch for the next couple of years.
Khanye Moss, Hialeah Mater Lakes: The 6’1 senior is super speedy. He comes up with a lot of 50/50 balls, disrupts passing lanes, and quickly converts opponent’s miscues into points. Moss does a good job of reading off-ball screens and making good decisions as defenders close out. The lefty has a reliable perimeter shot as well as a quick first step to the hoop.