Proving Grounds: 16U Standouts (Day 1)

The Proving Grounds brought out a ton of talent on the Prep Hoops Circuit stage in Tampa, Florida. Take a look at some of the 16U standouts that caught my eye on Saturday. 

Taivon Holman – 5’7 Point Guard – OTOD Elite 2024

Holman was quite the tone-setter for OTOD Elite 2024’s as they went 2-1 on the day to open Proving Grounds in Tampa. He’s a quick guard that makes his presence felt on both ends with his ability to force turnovers, get to his spots in the paint and make plays for others. He’s one of a few names to know with OTOD Elite 2024.

Demarcus Kennedy – 5’8 Guard – OTOD Elite 2024

Kennedy was another guard that set the tone on both ends for OTOD Elite 2024. He showed off his ability knock down shots on the perimeter and wreak havoc on the defensive end as they kept the energy up in the gym all day long.

Elijah Carter – 5’10 Wing/Forward – OTOD Elite 2024

Carter is a versatile prospect with quite the nose for the ball as a defender and rebounder in the OTOD Elite 2024 rotation. He was pivotal in their comeback victory in the early morning game against DNFL 24 as he showed off his ability to force turnovers and create for others time and time again in a victory. He’s a versatile name to know with his ability to play a physical brand of basketball.

Jackson King – 6’2 Guard – Liberty Edge 2024

King was one prospect that was dialed in for Liberty Edge 2024 as they went 1-2 to open up on Proving Grounds. He’s a prospect that knocked down five 3-pointers in their opening game of the weekend. He’s quite the shooter on the perimeter with an ability to get others involved as well.

Harry Gilen – 6’4 Wing/Forward – South Florida Sonics

Gilen is an emerging prospect in the South Florida Sonics rotation that plays with a ton of energy on both ends of the floor. He showed off an ability to create turnovers defensively, get to his spots off the bounce and showed an ability to rebound the ball on both ends as the South Florida Sonics went 3-0 to open up Proving Grounds on Saturday.

Austin Howe – 5’6 Shooting Guard – South Florida Sonics

Howe was another top sharpshooter in the 16U division for the South Florida Sonics. He knocked down a total of 12 3-pointers, four in each of their first two victories, to show off his ability to knock down shots on all three levels. He’s a confident playmaking guard with ability.

Angelo Carver – 5’10 Guard –  South Florida Sonics

Carver was a two-way presence for the South Florida Sonics’ backcourt as they went unbeaten on Saturday in the Proving Grounds. He’s a prospect with a strong frame and good instincts already on both ends of the floor with a nose for the ball. He was a “lead by example” type that set quite the tone for his squad on Saturday. 

Malik Sosa – 6’4 Forward – Heart N Hustle 2024

Sosa is an emerging name to know in the Heart N Hustle 2024 rotation with a solid skillset. He showed what he can do with his length and ability to get to the rim with 17 points in an early victory for them. As he figures things out, look for his name to grow in the region.

Ryan Blount Ryan Blount 6'6" | CG Rockledge | 2024 State FL – 6’4 Guard/Wing – Athletes of Influence 2024

Blount picked up where he left off from the last Passion Region stop for Athletes of Influence 2024 squad as he showed off his ability to move without the ball and knock down shots from multiple spots on the perimeter. He’s a versatile presence that can knock down shots on the perimeter for AOI.

Derrick King – 6’6 Forward – Athletes of Influence 2024

King was another prospect that picked up where he left off in Daytona Beach, showing off his ability to be a presence on the glass and make things happen as a back-to-the-basket threat. He showed off his continued growth and confidence in the paint as AOI found success on Saturday at Proving Grounds.

Noah Cutler Noah Cutler 5'9" | PG Charlotte | 2024 FL – 5’9 Point Guard – Athletes of Influence 2024

Cutler is getting back in his groove at the floor general position and was dialed in making plays for others and knocking down shots from the perimeter as Athletes of Influence 2024 went unbeaten on Saturday. He’s a strong ballhandler with a knack for making plays on all three levels. 

Blake Maddox Blake Maddox 6'3" | SF South Fort Myers | 2024 FL – 6’4 Forward – Athletes of Influence 2024

Maddox is a new face in the Athletes of Influence 2024 frontcourt to get to know. He’s an athletic prospect that flies around on both ends looking to make plays around the rim as he did on multiple occasions at the Proving Ground. He’s a versatile name to get to know with upside. 

Thnorm Sam – 5’6 Guard – DNFL 24

Sam used his quickness to his advantage in the DNFL 24 rotation though they went 1-2 in early pool play. As a new face, he showed off his ability to get to the rim and make things happen on numerous occasions as a presence in their backcourt. He’s a young guard prospect to get to know. 

Matias Di Cristo – 6’4 Forward/Center – DNFL 24

Di Cristo was a sizeable presence in the DNFL 24 rotation that made quite the impact in the paint and stretching the floor with his shot. He wasn’t shy about stepping out to the perimeter and creating matchup problems for other frontcourt prospects while utilizing his mobility and versatility.

Kaleb Oriol – 5’10 Guard – DNFL 24

Oriol was another guard prospect in the DNFL 24 backcourt that showed what he can do on Saturday in the 16U division. In his best performance of the day, he went for 17 points on three made 3-pointers to show off what he can do as a threat off the bounce. He’s another name to keep eyes on with DNFL 24. He’s a three-level prospect with an ability to make things happen on the floor.

Jalen Yutzy – 6’2 Guard – Liberty Edge

Yutzy was dialed on from the perimeter as one of the top shooters at the Proving Grounds in the 16U division for Liberty Edge. He exploded for 21 points on five made 3-pointers in their final victory of the day as they took hold against G1 Sports in the afternoon session. He showed that he can get hot in a hurry as one of Liberty Edge’s primary scorers in the rotation.

Caleb Austin Jones-Dicks – 5’10 Guard – Sunshine Elite 2024

Jones-Dicks was a relentless presence in Sunshine Elite 2024’s rotation on the opening day of the Proving Grounds. He’s an emerging guard that was aggressive in his approach to the game, especially in the second half of their final game of the day as he finished with 

Jah Chin – 5’7 Guard – SWFL Hoops Inc. (2025)

Chin is a 2025 prospect playing up in the 16U division and didn’t show many signs of slowing down for SWFL Hoops Inc. on Saturday at the Proving Grounds. He’s an intriguing guard prospect with a solid feel for when to score and distribute the basketball making him quite the combo guard already. As he shows off his shooting stroke and prowess, look for his stock to grow in Florida’s 2025 class.