Week 4: Prospects Of The Week

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">We’re more than a month into the Florida basketball season and teams are rounding into shape. An increase in players’ conditioning and feel for teammates has led to a higher level of play. This week we look at 11 guys who put together big performances in week 4.</p> <p><strong>Quamar Hobbs</strong></p> <p>I try to find flaws in smaller high energy forwards like Hobbs, and the only thing I can say is he’s raw. But you can’t teach his motor, nose for the ball, or toughness. The 6’5 junior had a double-double against King high school and their frontcourt that has two athletic guys 6’7 or taller. They couldn’t keep him off the boards. He’s quick, explosive, and continues to finish well off dives to the basket. He punctuated his night with a big two-hand dunk in transition.</p> <p><strong><img class="alignright wp-image-1346070 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/IMG_7076-crop-480x316-1639412242-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="1163620" first="Daniel" last="Delgardo"]</strong></p> <p>Talk about knowing when to turn it on! Danny spent the first half orchestrating the offense, probing the defense, and finding the right guy to finish plays. Then the third quarter started and the same ways he made plays for others he used to score. He attacked the baseline for pull-up jumpers and floaters. Delgardo is a 2024 prospect but thanks to high academic success, he’ll graduate a year early.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1055777" first="Derek" last="Delgardo"] Jr.</strong></p> <p>Dereck is a gunner with the utmost confidence in his jumper. When you shoot 3 of 8 from deep on shots beyond the college three, it makes sense. The 2024 prospect’s shot translates inside the arc too where floaters and several finishes around the rim turned into a 22 point 3 assist night. He may be his team’s first scoring option, but he’ll dime his guys up along the way. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814919" first="Tony" last="Livingston"] </strong></p> <p>Livingston is averaging 26.5 points and 10.2 rebounds through six games. His game is truly a mismatch for most forwards. He’s hitting almost four threes a game on high efficiency. He’s been more aggressive as a slasher. It’s like he’s realizing the only way teams can stop him is by taking charges. The senior can provide a team with a great outside-inside presence with skills that can translate to several positions.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="956830" first="Jayden" last="Williams"]</strong></p> <p>Dartmouth got themselves a certified dude. Williams got to a hot start hitting three corners threes in a row. From there, he played a physical game guarding one of the best bigs in the country, using his strength and athleticism to rebound and finish around the rim. When he had a free lane, the 6’6 wing tore the rim down twice.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="904620" first="Noah" last="Batchelor"]</strong></p> <p>Batchelor showed all the reasons he’s going to Memphis against Tampa Catholic. He hit 6 threes on the road to a 26 point day. He finished above the rim showing off next level athleticism and elite size for the SG position.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/228-Michal-Vyskocil.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1293024" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/228-Michal-Vyskocil-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1296035" first="Michal" last="Vyskocil"]</strong></p> <p>The shooting I saw from Vyskocil in Wildwood is real. He scored 17 points with 15 of them coming from his 5 shots from deep. He hit shots off the catch and movement, including a difference making pin down in OT. The senior showed leadership in this game by getting his teammates in the right spots. The 6’5 combo guard rebounds well for the position.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/IMG_7101-rotated.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1346073 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/IMG_7101-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="956766" first="Moise" last="Balungu"]</strong></p> <p>A 6’4 frame built to play in someone’s front seven led Balungu to one of the best performances of the night at the Orlando Health Hoopfest. He scored 26 of his 29 points by slashing to the rim. Bishop Snyder’s opponents had guys of similar size, but they couldn’t stop his bull rush. As physical as the senior is, he has crafty moves to get his paint touches. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1301730" first="Isaiah" last="Campbell-Finch"]</strong></p> <p>Tampa Catholic played against IMG National, giving this 2025 prospect a chance to play against high major talent. He was ready for it. Campbell-Finch didn’t look outmatched in size, athleticism, or feel. The freshman picks his spots, creates his own scoring opportunities, and limits turnovers. He plays well above his age.</p> <p><strong>Jacob Hammond </strong></p> <p>I’ve been talking to IMG Jr. National Coach Edwards about Hammond since September. His feel for the game is back, and that means bad news for guys around the rim. Every time the 2025 forward catches the ball around the rim, he’s trying to finish above it. The Canadian prospect is a big time finisher with an ever-growing perimeter skill set.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/IMG_7099-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1346075" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/IMG_7099-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1055796" first="Ta’veon" last="Jones"]</strong></p> <p>Jones stole the show in one of the best games at the Orlando Health Hoopfest. The 5’6 guard is lightning with the ball in his hands. He made plays for others, got to the rim at will, showcasing his finishing against size, and dotted a few eyes with his pull-up. His quickness lead to defensive plays where he turned turnovers into points.</p>