Players To Watch By Class: 7A (Districts 9-16)

The FHSAA boys basketball season is just around the corner. Practices started this week with preseason games to be played in a week's time and the regular season tipping off on Nov. 23. We will be looking at the top players to watch in all seven classes. Here is a peek at the top prospects to keep an eye on in Class 7A (Districts 9-16). ICYMI - <a href="https://prephoops.com/2020/11/players-to-watch-by-class-7a-districts-1-8/">Players To Watch By Class: 7A (Districts 1-8)</a> <h2 style="text-align: center;">2019-20 state champion: Miramar</h2> Region 3 - District 9 [player_tooltip player_id="962569" first="Kyle" last="McNeal"], [player_tooltip player_id="1068762" first="Rodrick" last="Johnson"] & [player_tooltip player_id="829457" first="Xavier" last="Scott"] (Dwyer) Dwyer plays very hard as a unit and the versatility and toughness instilled them is something to watch. McNeal, a 2023 5-11 guard is currently in football season but he is one of the most gifted and put together point men you'll find in high school ball. Johnson, a 2021 6-5 guard/forward committed to Division II D'Youville on Wednesday. He displays good awareness inside and is always on the move in transition. As for Scott, the 2022 5-11 guard is a lightning bolt out of the backcourt and hurts you with his tenacity on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id="953505" first="Almando" last="Cyrius"] (Vero Beach) One of the most efficient scorers in 7A is Cyrius. The 2021 6-4 guard averaged almost 17 PPG a season ago while adding double digits in all but five games. He can get to the rack with ease, hit outside jumpers and is the bonafide leader of this always sound Vero Beach group hands down. [player_tooltip player_id="1068715" first="Sherwin" last="Frederick"] (Treasure Coast) The sky is the limit for Frederick, a 2021 6-5 guard/forward has the looks of a steady athlete at the next level. He can jump out of the gym, is in the process of adding muscle and continues to show value with his jumper. Treasure Coast has a keeper in Frederick. Other names to know: 2021 F Jonathan Paul (Dwyer), 2021 F Marvins Paul (Fort Pierce Central), 2021 F Isaac McCourt (Vero Beach), 2021 G Jacobi Roberts (Vero Beach), 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="1068628" first="Sageny" last="Horace"] (Centennial), 2022 G Machli Fleurissant (Treasure Coast) and 2021 F Solomon Powell (Palm Beach Gardens). Region 3 – District 10 [player_tooltip player_id="818698" first="Donovan" last="Draper"] & [player_tooltip player_id="953081" first="Jalen" last="Jeter"] (Forest Hill) Draper said at the state tournament this past spring that he simply wanted to put Forest Hill on the map. The 2021 6-5 forward is one of the most gifted athletes you'll find at the high school level. Draper has the looks of a top player in the class as he can finish and defend at a high level. I expect college coaches to take notice. Jeter, a 5-9 guard returns as the point man and he will do wonders for this offense with his smarts and quick feet. Both players are fresh off a football season, so they are in really good shape. [player_tooltip player_id="818694" first="Chris" last="Walker"] & [player_tooltip player_id="818815" first="Elijah" last="Andrews"] (Wellington) Injuries prevented Walker from having a full season but he proved his worth this summer as he officially committed to Arkansas Little Rock last month. The 6-6 guard/forward is going to be looked upon to score in bunches and lead this group. He is a special talent and having him back to 100 percent health is a big deal. Alongside him is Andrews, a 2021 6-3 guard who has been reliable at Wellington these last few seasons. He is a long-range shooter who mixes it up defensively creating havoc. [player_tooltip player_id="818869" first="Christopher" last="George"], [player_tooltip player_id="953462" first="Maxwell" last="Marius"] & [player_tooltip player_id="953476" first="Ryan" last="Maxwell"] (Royal Palm Beach) This is the year for Royal Palm Beach to push the cause with a 2021 trio in place. George is a 6-7 forward who averaged 12.5 PPG and 10.8 RPG a season ago and was a nightly mismatch. Marius is a 6-0 guard who makes his value beyond the arc as he shot 38 percent. Maxwell is the most athletic of the bunch at 6-1 and he finished the season strong recording three 20 plus point games over the last four matchups. [player_tooltip player_id="818757" first="William" last="VanHook"] (Palm Beach Central) Palm Beach Central has a high-volume shooter in VanHook. He is entering his fourth year on varsity after averaging over 11.0 PPG in each of his last two seasons including 13.8 PPG as a junior. The 2021 5-11 guard is a playmaker who is always looking to score. Other names to know: 2022 G Michael Cooper (Forest Hill), 2022 G Octavious Williams II (Forest Hill), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="829416" first="Alex" last="Houck"] (Jupiter), 2022 F Charlie McCullough (Jupiter), 2021 G Jenerrian Cross (Palm Beach Central), 2021 F Andrew Frection (Palm Beach Central), 2021 G Max Cedano (Palm Beach Central), 2022 G Donnell Simmons (Palm Beach Lakes), 2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="956809" first="Nick" last="Green"] (Wellington), 2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="829420" first="Keon" last="Kindred"] (Wellington), 2022 G Kentavion Williams (Royal Palm Beach) and 2021 F Lincoln Riddle (Royal Palm Beach). Region 3 – District 11 Dashley Estime (Santaluces) This district saw a bevy of players graduate so it will look a whole lot different. Santaluces has the steadiest senior with Estime, a 2021 6-2 forward who will be tasked to do plenty this season as the top leader and scorer. Other names to know: 2021 G Malachi Lestage (Spanish River), 2022 F Cole Whipple (Spanish River), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="1065431" first="Michael" last="Kalina"] (Boca Raton), 2021 F Karl Adolphe (Leonard), 2021 G Cory Thomas (Leonard), 2021 G Nyamekye Johnson (Park Vista), 2022 G Jalen James (Park Vista) and 2021 G Justin Roseme (Park Vista). Region 3 – District 12 [player_tooltip player_id="812637" first="Greg" last="Spate"] (Coral Springs) Coral Springs earned a true talented athlete from Northeast in Spate. The 2023 6-5 forward is super lengthy, fast and full of energy. He is in the process of filling out his body. He still needs a consistent jumper to further his value, but he is fun to watch and should score in bunches at his new school. 2022 6-2 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1065432" first="Jonathan" last="Fils"] returns as the lead man out of the backcourt and should be the perfect compliment next to Spate. [player_tooltip player_id="1068632" first="Anthony" last="Ruiz"] & [player_tooltip player_id="1068698" first="Marcus" last="Lewis"] (Coral Glades) The 2021 pair of Ruiz and Lewis is a solid one for Coral Glades. Ruiz is a 5-11 guard who has poise running the offense and is a playmaker who gets to the rack with crafty finishes. Lewis is a 6-3 guard/forward who is a versatile piece and a true asset for his group. Kiya McQueen (Deerfield Beach) Deerfield Beach has a 2021 6-3 forward in McQueen who is strong inside as a core rebounder and finisher. He's always looking to clean up misses and score. McQueen should have a very good senior season. 2023 twin guards [player_tooltip player_id="1060177" first="Jakwon" last="Morris"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1060180" first="Jason" last="Morris"] are up next and will certainly make some noise down south as sophomores. [player_tooltip player_id="818886" first="Marcus" last="Laneaut"] (Monarch) I like what Laneaut gave Monarch last season and he matured into the leader that this team needed. The 2021 6-3 guard/forward is a bonafide athlete who has become more vocal and more determined over the last year. He is in line for a steady senior campaign. Other names to know: 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="1068752" first="Georden" last="Rogers"] (Coral Glades), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962398" first="Zaelyn" last="Holston"] (Deerfield Beach), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962414" first="Joe" last="Barksdale"] (Deerfield Beach), 2022 F Darrin Garrett (Taravella), 2022 G Reily Berg (Taravella), 2023 G Kellen Cashman (Monarch), 2021 F TJ Laurent (Coral Springs), 2021 Taj Daley (Coral Springs), 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="1068615" first="Paxton" last="Kafka"] (Stoneman Douglas), 2021 G Adrian Naile (Stoneman Douglas) and 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962413" first="Sean" last="Sucarichi"] (Stoneman Douglas) Region 4 - District 13 [player_tooltip player_id="953072" first="Matthew" last="Robinson"] & [player_tooltip player_id="829407" first="Kamdyn" last="Ayers"] (Western) Western made noise last season and with Robinson and Ayers back as the feature pieces, I expect more of the same. Robinson is a 2021 6-3 guard/forward who doesn't back down from anyone and uses his toughness on both ends of the floor as a scorer and hard-nosed defender. Ayers, a 2022 6-1 guard is getting better quickly and his playmaking ability as a shooter and finisher are going to help Western a ton. [player_tooltip player_id="953519" first="Jaaden" last="Newell"] (Cooper City) Newll is a 2021 6-1 guard who took the next step last season, averaging just shy of 10 PPG. He is a natural shooter. Newell will have to put up even bigger numbers with 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="829389" first="Elijah" last="Wyche"] transferring over to Pembroke Pines Charter. [player_tooltip player_id="1068746" first="Jordan" last="Hinds"] & [player_tooltip player_id="1068747" first="Jaylen" last="Bernard"] (Cypress Bay) Cypress Bay will be hard to stop with the 2021 duo of Hinds and Bernard at the forefront. Hinds, a 6-3 guard is a quick-twitch guard who loves to get up and down the floor and make high IQ passes and finishes. His counterpart, Bernard is a 6-5 forward who is just scratching the surface. He thrives inside as an athletic attacker off cuts and feeds. Other names to know: 2021 G Lucas Miles (Gulf Coast), 2021 F Brian Bickerton (Gulf Coast), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="818788" first="Gavin" last="Ostrow"] (Western), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="1062420" first="Noah" last="Kattan"] (Cypress Bay), 2022 G Max Gordon (Cypress Bay), 2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="829477" first="Kevin" last="Pazmino"] (Cypress Bay), 2021 F Matthew Archey (Cooper City), 2022 G Nathan Hickman (Cooper City), 2021 G Kellmar Luna (Flanagan) and 2021 G Junior Fevrier (Piper). Region 4 - District 14 [player_tooltip player_id="814914" first="Deshawn" last="Jean-Charles"], [player_tooltip player_id="814915" first="Faheim" last="Meran"] & [player_tooltip player_id="818754" first="Khamaury" last="McMillan"] (Miramar) The defending 7A state champions still have a ton of talent in place to make another deep run to Lakeland. Jean-Charles is the top guy to watch at his 6-6 frame. The 2022 forward simply gets it done and doesn't care if it's pretty or if it shows up in the stat sheet. He was a double double machine at the state tournament in March. Meran is likely going to take the biggest jump in this group. The 2022 6-5 forward is simply a chess piece with his long arms and burst. McMillan, a 2021 6-1 guard will settle things down as the backcourt leader and reliable spot-up shooter. Rodney Mozard & Blake Belus (Everglades) Everglades will make strides this upcoming season and 2021 duo Mozard and Belus will be the prospects to keep a close eye on. Mozard is a big kid at 6-6 and he has legitimate strength that will benefit his interior presence. Belus is a 5-9 guard who is fast and has the ball on a string. [player_tooltip player_id="955812" first="Chris" last="Machado"] & [player_tooltip player_id="962345" first="Daniel" last="Parra"] (Hialeah Gardens) Hialeah Gardens has two nightly scoring threats in Machado and Parra. Machado, a 2022 5-11 guard runs the show out of the backcourt and has a nice mid-range finish and plenty of range. Parra, 2023 5-9 guard is looking to build off his hot start as a freshman where he rattled off seven straight games in double digits which included a 26-point night in the season opener. Other names to know: 2021 G Javen Bailey (Miramar), 2023 F [player_tooltip player_id="963311" first="Isaiah" last="Williams"] (Miramar), 2021 G Alejandro Caripidis (Dr. Krop), 2022 F Jaliel Whitehead (Everglades), 2022 F Matt Newland (West Broward), 2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="829414" first="Alex" last="Gonzalez"] (West Broward), 2021 G Glen Noel (Reagan), 2021 F Manuel Madeira (Reagan), 2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="955811" first="Jordan" last="Urbaez"] (Hialeah Gardens), 2021 G Jamil Delice (Hialeah Gardens) and 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="829408" first="Jeremy" last="Hoyos"] (Hialeah Gardens). Region 4 - District 15 [player_tooltip player_id="818777" first="Reggie" last="Luis"] & [player_tooltip player_id="953477" first="Hubertas" last="Pivorius"] (Colombus) Colombus is built for a run. Luis, a 2021 6-5 guard has developed his game further and is fresh off a standout summer with SOH Elite. He earned an offer from Northeastern and should continue to add more to his list as he is a consistent scorer and gifted defender. Pivorius, a 2021 6-1 guard is a gifted shooter who will pair well with the athletic game of Luis. [player_tooltip player_id="818866" first="Desmond" last="Romer"], [player_tooltip player_id="712125" first="Kuran" last="Bryant"] & Romulo Delgado-Gonzal (Coral Gables) Coral Gables is going to be very talented once again with a trio of Romer, Bryant and Delgado-Gonzal in place. Romer is the team's leader and craftiest player at his 5-11 frame. The 2021 senior leader averaged 17.5 PPG, 6.3 APG and 4.1 SPG a season ago and should continue to put up numbers like that. Bryant is a 2022 6-5 forward who leaps out of the gym. That was proof by his numbers a season ago (16.3 PPG and 11.0 RPG). Delgado-Gonzal works well next to Romer as he is a truly gifted shooter and scorer. The 2022 6-3 guard is a mature and put together player who will surprise you with his speed and strength. 2021 5-11 guard [player_tooltip player_id="818775" first="Marcos" last="Molina"] arrives via Palmetto and will give Coral Gables yet another sound guard to lean on. [player_tooltip player_id="818705" first="Taderrius" last="Davis"] (Miami) 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="818674" first="Justin" last="Neely"] transferred to SIAA West Oaks with the uncertainty of the FHSAA season in the Miami area. However, the Stingarees still have a true talent to lean on in Davis. The 2021 6-6 forward is a three-year starter who has gotten better every season. He is full of size and two-way ability. He moves well and finishes inside with his long arms and certainly holds his own as a shot-blocker on defense. Expect a breakout year from the senior leader. Other names to know: 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="818715" first="Demetrise" last="Patterson"] (Miami Beach), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="1065479" first="Carlos" last="Tavares"] (Southwest), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="1068622" first="DJ" last="Courtney"] (Colombus), 2022 F Isiah Middleton (Coral Gables), 2021 F Adrian Salcedo (Coral Park), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="955810" first="Rafael" last="Miranda"] (Miami Beach), 2022 G Joshua Fernandez (Southwest), 2022 G Adrian Cruz (Southwest), 2022 F Ray Perez (Southwest), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="829412" first="Andre" last="Bynum"] (Miami) and 2021 G Darius Fowler (Miami). Region 4 - District 16 [player_tooltip player_id="956772" first="Levertis" last="Williams"] (Coral Reef) Williams is the top player for Coral Reef at 6-3. The 2022 guard can get it done as a gifted shooter and downhill finisher. He certainly battles defensively and gives his side a ton to work with. His 2022 counterpart, [player_tooltip player_id="956829" first="Jalen" last="Velasquez"] is a 6-0 guard serves as a nice piece next to Williams as he takes the pressure off of him as a sound ballhandler and dangerous scorer. [player_tooltip player_id="1068700" first="Jacoby" last="Brown"], [player_tooltip player_id="956773" first="Warner" last="Davis"] & [player_tooltip player_id="953518" first="David" last="Pazo"] (Palmetto) Palmetto added two legitimate scorers around Brown in Davis (via Killian) and Pazo (via Coral Park). Brown, a 2021 6-5 forward is ready to breakout after showing glimpses as an athletic finisher and defender. Davis, a 2022 6-0 guard is simply a threat who can play on and off the ball, shoot it with ease and get everyone involved. Pazo, a 2021 6-2 guard will be a key spot-up shooter and lay-in artist. Keanu Torres & [player_tooltip player_id="953467" first="Andy" last="Chavez"] (Braddock) Braddock has a fun 2021 guard duo in Torres and Chavez. Torres, a 6-0 guard shot at a high clip from 3-point land but he can contribute in a variety of ways as a passer and transition pusher. Chavez, a 5-11 guard controls everything for this offense and isn't afraid of putting his head down and attacking the rim with floaters and finishes. Other names to know: 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="953098" first="Jorge" last="Santos"] (Braddock), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="953100" first="Sebastian" last="Paz"] (Braddock), 2022 G Mark Black (Coral Reef), 2022 G Gabriel Chung (Coral Reef), 2021 F Andy Perez (Ferguson), 2021 F Eduardo Tefel (Ferguson), 2022 G Nick Pinyero (Palmetto) and 2021 F Angelo Delatorre (Varela).