FABC Bradenton: Day 1 Notebook

<p>I made the trip over for a 3-game slate on the opening night of the FABC Bradenton team camp at IMG Academy on Friday.</p> <p>The event started with a heck of a matchup between Paxon and Lakewood Ranch.</p> <p>Here is a look at the top prospects from the evening.</p> <h3>Paxon is a clear cut state contender</h3> <p>In Class 4A, there might not be a tougher team than Paxon and it returns everyone from last year. A state semifinalist from a season ago, the Eagles have 2020 6'6" forward <strong>Isaiah Adams </strong>at the forefront. He is a Division I prospect (Iowa State, TCU, St. Louis, FAU, North Florida and Georgia Southern offers) who can do just about everything, including ballhandling, shooting, driving and hustle defense. Alongside him are 2021 5'10" guard <strong>Maurice Willie</strong>, 2020 6'0" guard <strong>Derrick Johnson </strong>and 2020 6'1" guard <strong>Michael Caswell</strong>. Paxon is loaded with speed, scoring and grit. Willie is a point guard who has the ball on a string and can really stroke it. Johnson is a gifted shooter off quick feeds and Caswell isn't afraid to mix it up as a shooter and attacker.</p> <h3><strong>Buckley and Shaneyfelt set the pace</strong></h3> <p>Both very strong in both their upper and lower bodies, 2020 duo <strong>Keon Buckley</strong> and <strong>Christian Shaneyfelt</strong> are everything and more for Lakewood Ranch. Buckley, a 6'0" guard rarely gets rattled and is a tough cover in open space with his advanced ballhandling and decision making (see video at the bottom of the story for proof). Shaneyfelt has an advanced offensive game as a gifted shooter, patient attacker and an impact player. 2020 6'6" forward <strong>Luke Lecroy </strong>showed well for the Mustangs getting tip-ins and hitting a few outside shots. If healthy, Lecroy will be a true x-factor with his long arms and scoring ability. He just simply needs to play more after missing most of last season.</p> <h3>Impact Christian is fast</h3> <p>There might not be a quicker group of athletes in all of Class 2A then what Impact Christian boasts. A region finalist from a season ago, 2020 5'11" guard <strong>Jordin Jackson</strong>, 2021 6'4" guard <strong>Calvin Johnson</strong>, 2021 6'5" forward <strong>Ivan Lawson </strong>and 2022 6'4" guard <strong>Kelvin Johnson </strong>all can get it done. Jackson did it all for his side and was perhaps the best hustler in the entire gym. He had one sequence where he drove down in transition for a basket, then had a steal on the inbound and went up and hit a falling lay-in. That pumped up his team and they never looked back against Booker. The Johnson brothers are both long bodies who are good tempo guys. They are improving each time I see them. Lawson is a game-changing athlete who loves to get inside for slams and provide energy plays.</p> <h3><strong>Gamble impresses again</strong></h3> <p>Rising freshman, 2023 6'4" Charlotte guard <strong>John Gamble </strong>flashed his athleticism once again. The speed and long legged prospect was even compared to one coach in the gym to a younger Malachi Wideman. If Charlotte can mold Gamble further and he can take the next step as a ballhandler and all-around talent, he'll definitely be a Division I athlete when it is all set and done. He has a lot of time left and the Fightin' Tarpons coaching staff will certainly be helping his development.</p> <h3><strong>FSUS has all the tools</strong></h3> <p>The three-headed monster of 2021 6'7" forward <strong>Makai Willis</strong>, 2022 6'5" forward <strong>Jaylen Martin </strong>and 2022 6'0" guard <strong>Tre' Donaldson </strong>give FSUS an advantage nearly every game. The versatility between the trio is fun to watch. Willis gives you the effort on the block and is a core shot blocker defensively. Martin is a lengthy chess piece who can handle the rock, attack and hit from deep. Donaldson is super quick and a guy who can make a pass in the blink of an eye to open up a teammate for a basket.</p> <h3><strong>Rolle can lead the charge </strong></h3> <p>With a plethora of Division II and NAIA programs on hand, 2020 5'11" Suncoast guard <strong>Sam Rolle</strong> was one athlete watched with a close eye. His all-around IQ, feel for the floor and ability to push in the transition time and time again gets him noticed. In a late night loss to Charlotte, Rolle was solid as can be, distributing and hitting key mid-range jumpers. A school will take a chance on Rolle despite his smaller frame because he has all the tools and will make a program better making the right plays.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">2020 Lakewood Ranch connection here as Keon Buckley (<a href="https://twitter.com/keandrethegiant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@keandrethegiant</a>) breaks down the defense and throws the alley to Christian Shaneyfelt (<a href="https://twitter.com/Official_CShan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Official_CShan</a>). <a href="https://twitter.com/LRMustangHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LRMustangHoops</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hoops_florida?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hoops_florida</a> <a href="https://t.co/0soHNeWMV3">pic.twitter.com/0soHNeWMV3</a></p> — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakePerper/status/1144759030696546305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>