Gamers: South and Central Florida
Michael Lankford, Atlantic
The hard-slashing 6-foot-4 wing missed a good percentage of the 2017-18 season with a nagging injury. Despite not being seen during the year, Lankford has established himself as a legitimate scoring threat when knifing to the rim and splitting defenders at will. He plays with a mental moxie and an energy that’s infectious.
While adding a dependable outside game and also a feathery mid-range stroke would pay dividends for Lankford, he’s a drive-first penetrating scorer with deceptive quickness and a motor.
Bailey Stephanos, Dwyer
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard has improved as a guy who can splash a deep 3-pointer and score a critical bucket. Possessing sneaky bounce and sneaky explosiveness, Stephanos’ well-rounded game is predicated on his unbridled energy. He’s fundamentally adept in all categories of his game and allows the game to come to him.
Stephanos’ defensive presence was felt this season, as he savored a role of glue guy for a deep and talented Dwyer team. He’s got enough versatility to be a primary ball handler, all around scorer, and key defender who applies pressure on ones and twos. The Class of 2019 prospect is inheriting a leadership role next season, one which will demand him calling his own number more and deferring less.
Immanuel Crump, Miramar
Though he scores mostly on hustle points and around the rim looks, the 6-foot-6 Crump has improved at knocking back a smooth 15-18 foot jumper. He’s got an evolving post up game and has shown the ability to power up to the basket. This has made him a linchpin in Miramar’s inside-outside setup.
He moves the floor fluidly and has good hands, an aspect which resulted in a lot of at the rim scoring this past season. Defensively versatile, the mobile Crump showed he can guard from the 2-5 this past season.
Toumani Camara, Chaminade Madonna
Everyone knew the crafty 6-foot-7 lefty was a prolific scorer who can really dissect defenses with a variety of manipulative off the dribble moves. When he poured in 32 points against a star-spangled University School, his silky left-handed stroke became even more apparent.
Yet the 6-foot-7, 205-pound Class of 2019 prospect has shown a vertically explosive game this off-season. Camara’s ability to glide to the rim and deliver that dazzling, momentum rolling dunk speak to the springboard bounce he possesses. The high level athleticism has been visible this off-season.
Now a shot-blocker at 6-7, Camara has solidified his status as legit two-way threat. He holds offers from Louisiana Tech, Florida Atlantic, FGCU, Dayton, Wofford, South Florida, Florida International, St. Francis (Pa.), George Washington, and others.
Harrison Stier, Miami Country Day
The lean and skilled 6-foot-8 prospect has the potential to be a face-up four man at the next level. He’s also got tremendous scoring aptitude, especially with his ability to roll off screens and pop the deep jumper.
While he’s got the mobility and can face up and score, Stier needs to pack muscle onto a spindly frame. He’ll also have to get more physical and adjust to the interior bangers he’ll surely see at the rim at the ensuing level of play.
Max Ramos, Victory Rock Prep
All the way from Venezuela, the 6-foot-6 guard/forward follows a long line of talented international talent at the Sarasota-based program. Ramos possesses an oil-smooth jumper and established himself as a shot-maker this past year, getting his shot off with intensified defense and under heightened pressure.
He’s got a decent skill-set, one which he can build upon as he adds bulk to his game and increases his quickness. Has some bounce and is still getting there as a rim to rim athlete.
Emmanuel Ndatuje, Inspire
At 6-foot-11 and capable of taking defenders away from the rim with a feathery 12-15 footer, Ndatuje has the quintessential tool for mismatch creation. He’s able to get his shot off and really find seems in the defense. While he’s still establishing a back to the bucket game, he’s made strides at getting stronger and powering up more often.
Next season, the Class of 2020 prospect should transition to being a major presence on the glass and a key supplemental scorer. He’ll adjust from being a knockdown guy to a multi-layered scorer who can get into the trenches and finish.