Flushed Into A Prominent Role: Florida
Diego Rivera, Miami Christian
The cerebral, heady guard made the most out of quality minutes while the unsung backup to Neftali Alvarez’ (now at Fairfield) as a junior last season. The Class of 2019 point guard has arrived for his senior year considerably stronger and more explosive off the bounce. He’s become efficient as a versatile scorer.
He’s more comfortable putting it on the deck and weaving around defenders through traffic en route to the rim. Playing at Miami Christian, where he’s had a hand in two state championships, he’s become well-versed in extra pass basketball and knocking down timely shots.
Expect his role to grow exponentially this season, as he inherits the leadership gap left by the dazzling, dish-first facilitator Alvarez. Rivera has always been a knockdown presence with his maddening corner 3-pointers and ability to free himself up for open treys. This season, he’ll look to put it all together as a consistent dual threat on a traditionally potent program.
He’s a tactical on-ball pest on the defensive side, racking up steals and deflections and providing pressure across all 94 feet.
Alejandro Caula, Homestead
Defensively, few players in the 305 area lock up on point guards and off guards as effectively as Caula. He’s got a hyper competitive nature about himself and an engine on the defensive end, an aspect that allows him to continuously create disruption and instigate turnovers. He’s got the type of leadership presence his teammates eat off. Anticipate the Class of 2019 guard rapidly evolving into a defensive backbone this season, triggering those vital stops and routinely clamping down on high-scoring threats.
Offensively, he’s added some range on his shot. He’s become more fluid with the mid-range game, widely regarded as a lost art in today’s landscape. He’s shifty, poised, and has improved incrementally as a guy who can manufacture points and get to the foul line.
Alic Troutman, West Oaks Academy
The 6-foot-6 Class of 2019 prospect brings immediate size and production in the trenches. With the body of a lineman, Troutman moves notably well for his size. He will be flushed into a significant role as a shot-blocker and interior space eater on a guard-laden team underscored by highly-lauded guards Tyrell Jones and A.J. Neal.
The transfer via Tallahassee Rickards averaged 12 points, 13 boards, and 1.1 blocks last season. With the national high school team West Oaks has pieced together, expect Troutman to lead the team in rebounding and provide a pivotal role with his ability to protect the rim.
Seth Pinkney, Montverde Academy
The 6-foot-11, 205-pound forward/center embodies the high percentage scoring that comes with the territory of being a true big. A solid interior finisher, Pinkney has the length and fleet of foot to play in an uptempo, rim to rim attack.
He thrives at powering up and finishing through contact, though packing muscle onto a spindly frame is likely a priority for him this season. He’s got a tactical defensive game and really knows how to block and contest shots. Pinkney currently holds offers from Georgetown and DePaul. Programs such as Penn State and Ohio State appear intrigued with the hyper-efficient big fella.
While his shot still needs some work, Pinkney is the best example of catch and attack threat down low.
TJ Callis, TLAP Sports Academy
The 6-foot-8 Class of 2019 prospect has a feathery 15-18 footer, an attribute which brings many forwards and centers away from the rim. He’s got the potential to be a veritable unicorn at the prep level, with his advanced handle and knack for getting into traffic and finishing with either hand.
The Texas native comes to Port St. Lucie with a hyper competitive engine and a real know-how in being able to adapt to multiple positions on the floor. He’s got a style that’s tailor cut for today’s game with his ability to guard the 2-5 defensively. Expect him to offer immediate contributions for head coach Louis Graham, the West Palm Beach native who starred at Georgia Southern.