2023 Rankings: Predictions

<p>Who could make the biggest jump in the Class of 2023 rankings? </p> <p>The following is a list of prospects that I believe could make the leap between these rankings and the next roll out. Much of this will be based on there individual play over this summer. </p> <p>This is a <em>very</em> good class so luckily I have a lot of prospects to assess.  </p> <p>Here are some predictions...</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="709256" first="Jamai" last="Hager-Tejada"]</strong> - <em>Mater Lakes Academy (Ph. 37)</em></p> <p>The only thing holding Hager-Tejada back is his current height. He stands at 5-foot-10 against some prospects above him with a bigger frame. However, I expect him to grow into the 6-foot-2 range in short time. His cousin, <strong>Lance</strong> <strong>Tejada Jr.</strong>, is 6-foot-2. He was also a star at <strong>Blanche Ely </strong>and played at <strong>Lehigh</strong> before heading overseas. Hager-Tejada is already very explosive and well-rounded offensively. He averaged 18.6 points and knocked down 30 3-pointers last season. Hager-Tejada has the mindset to exploit a defense and score relentlessly. I saw him do it against <strong>McArthur</strong>, as an example. Moreover, he has a good amount of size for a backcourt prospect.  He will not shy away from contact at the rim. <span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">His seven outings scoring 20 or more points also proves it. I am aware that he has plenty of D-1 interest and offers coming soon. I could see him jumping into the top 15.</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962502" first="Darrell" last="Sweeting"]</strong> - <em>Benjamin School (PH. 123)</em></p> <p>Sweeting has a lot of potential to move up based on a few factors. The 5-foot-11 point guard averaged 11.4 points and 2.4 rebounds on 60 percent shooting from the field. That is a great percentage even if you look twice at it. He is a playmaking guard that can shoot the ball at a high rate. Against 3A contender <strong>Miami Country Day</strong>, he scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field. Sweeting also has a great teammate in <strong>Gavin</strong> <strong>Aydelotte</strong> in this class. Moreover, the Buccaneers have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814917" first="Isaiah" last="Nesmith"]</strong> (10.8 ppg) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="829401" first="Mark" last="Cueto"]</strong>. The nucleus is there for Sweeting to perform with the keys to the offense.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="709263" first="Iverson" last="Yacinthe"]</strong> - <em>Somerest Academy (PH. 133)</em></p> <p>The Panthers are going to need to replace <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818660" first="Jonathan" last="Renois"]</strong>, <strong>Christopher</strong> <strong>Scott</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1068754" first="Jonathan" last="Norman"]</strong> next season. The trio combined to average 34.5 points and 16.5 rebounds per game for Somerset Academy. Where will the production come from? One candidate that could fill the void is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="709263" first="Iverson" last="Yacinthe"]</strong>. He is currently listed at 6-foot-3 as a shooting guard/wing on the roster. That is a good frame that could potentially grow in the future. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Yacinthe averaged 5.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season. Against </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Coral Springs</strong> <strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Charter</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">, he scored 17 points and had five rebounds on 8-of-11 from the floor. He added five other games in double-figures and posted eight games with seven or more rebounds. Yacinthe has the opportunity in front of him to move up. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="709221" first="Michael" last="Bradley"]</strong> - <em>Mater Academy Charter</em> (PH. 138)</p> <p>Playing on a top team in Miami-Dade County and with 2022 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814912" first="Jimel" last="Lane"]</strong> means something. The Lions are another program that will lose a few seniors to graduation, including <strong>Ryan Sanchez</strong> (16.5 ppg). Bradley flashed a bit of potential last season, averaging six points, 3.9 rebounds and two assists per game. Against <strong>Doral Academy</strong>, he scored 15 points and knocked down five 3-pointers. Bradley defiantly has some confidence behind his perimeter shot. He also grabbed six or more rebounds in eight games. That is pretty good for a kid listed at 5-foot-11. If you notice a theme, the opportunity is there for him to step up.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1176494" first="Denzel" last="Dorn"]</strong> - <em>Gulliver Prep</em> <em>(PH. 145)</em></p> <p>I have talked about Dorn a few times and will do so again here. The door is open for him to elevate his stock. He is a 6-foot-6 power forward that is probably going to grow. This includes trimming down while packing on some muscle. Dorn is part of a young core at Gulliver Prep. Is it conceivable you let him play and learn from his mistakes? I think with some of these prospects, you have to throw them out there and let them play. It’s called “teaching”. The Raiders will be a better team for it as a group down the road. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">He is playing under a great coach in </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Gary DeCesare</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> who will get the best out of him. The question is, does he want it?<br /> </span></p> <p><strong> [player_tooltip player_id="709217" first="Jeremiah" last="Augustin"]</strong> - <em>Jupiter Christian (PH. 107)</em></p> <p>The Eagles will need to reload with the losses of 2022 <strong>Connor Weston</strong> (Jupiter) and 2021 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818946" first="RJ" last="Morris"]</strong> to graduation. Augustin has the build at 6-foot-6 to ease some of the burden. He averaged 8.7 points and 6.5 rebounds last season out of the forward position. He scored a season-high 20 points and grabbed ten rebounds in a victory over <strong>Atlantic Christian</strong>. Augustin recorded two other double-doubles for the Eagles. He could increase on that total next season as a junior. Augustin has the size and athleticism to do it, for sure. </p> <p><em style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23. </strong></em></p>