Inheriting A Prominent Role
Linton Brown, West Oaks Academy
With his length, versatility, and superior open court finishing, the 6-foot-5 wing will supplement the Flame’s dazzling backcourt tandem of A.J. Neal and Tyrell Jones. Brown was instrumental in helping lead Wellington to a 30-1 record and a berth in the state title game last season. Brown’s ability to knockdown the 12-15 foot jumper and explosive finishes improved throughout the year, as he became more involved as an offensive player. He wound up averaging 11 points and improving with his efficiency and scoring consistency during the championship run. He also opened up a 3-point shot.
West Oaks will use his versatility and ability to guard multiple positions in its sustained relentlessness and pressure approach. He’s got the transition game to play at the breakneck speed head coach Kenny Gillion is known to employ.
Ricardo Mercado, Doral Academy
The Class of 2020 point guard will inherit the responsibility of operating a swift passing team which places major emphasis on the basic principles of basketball, without getting too enamored with individual totals. He registered his big game presence at the tail end of last season, burying a pair of critical 3-pointers during the state championship game.
Doral returns a young core and Mercado will need to shoulder the onus of leader and really orchestrate a disciplined attack in the half court set. Like Miami Christian, Doral Academy prioritizes cerebral basketball and loves to be patient in settling for the right shot. He’s got a reliable handle and Mercado is known for rarely turning it over. If he can find the fleet of sharpshooters surrounding him, most notably veteran off guard JoJo Nunez, Doral will again shift its gaze to a state championship.
Nick Silva, Miami Christian
The 6-foot-6 Class of 2020 prospect is young and promising, having already proven himself as Division-I material. This is a sentiment that’s been echoed by Art Alvarez, who has built this program into a perennially tough product bolstered by depth and rugged guard play. Silva, who just turned 16, is a European-style guard who can really evolve into a shot-maker. He hits high-pressure shots and is tailor-cut for the perimeter attack Miami Christian routinely enforces.
He’s got some bounce and is a creative scorer who can put up points off the dribble and on those thorough surges to the rim. With Miami Christian bidding adieu to Neftali Alvarez (now at Fairfield), who had a hand in roughly 60 percent of the team’s offensive output as a scorer and distributor last season, Silva will come right in and get touches.
Michael Bradley III, Mater Academy
Through circumstance and a very unpredictable situation, the Miami native has been given a precious opportunity: Meaningful varsity minutes as a 5-foot-7 middle schooler. The Class of 2023 guard showed strides and fearlessness this summer, bagging 3-pointers and long jumpers with consistency. At the 11th hour, high-engine 6-foot-4 guard/swingman Seven Ferguson transferred to Westlake Academy. Shortly after this, rugged veteran point guard Jorge Becceril was en route to Coral Gables.
The mass exodus of talent at Mater has led some of the young core to instant impact opportunities. Bradley III will have to grow up fast, as those underclassmen will surely be chomping at the bid to expose him. With his confidence and toughness, expect Bradley III to offer significant contributions during what appears (at least on paper) to be a trying transition year.
Kadeem Wilks, Atlantic
The crafty left handed guard becomes a leader and high-scoring piece on a team that’s under new management. He was a clutch performer last season, most notably with a game-winning free throw against previously undefeated Lake Worth in January.
Wilks, who put up several 20+ point performances last season, will be tasked with leaving the void left by Rodwens Albert. Albert was an offensive engineer who really initiated the action and scored at will last season.