The Freshman Gamechangers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parents and 2026 prospects filled Mainland high school gym for the freshman showcase. Several impact freshman touched the floor on Sunday. Let's Fl discuss six that could get significant minutes in their first varsity season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635b336ddfe9a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1633067"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ponder will play for a very talented Miami Norland team that could make a deep playoff run. Minutes may he sparse to start the season but keeping a 6'11 big man on the bench could be hard. He rebounds out of his area, looks to finish everything with authority, and moves well for someone his size. Ponder showed solid footwork around the rim will likely improve as he plays more. Like many young big he needs work his conditioning and that will only help with his rim running and knack for sealing defenses under the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635b3386dfe9b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1633093"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1642354,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lambert fills a hole Port Charlotte's 2022 graduating class leaves. He's an athletic 6'4 shooting guard that plays mean. He wants to compete every possession and battled kids several inches taller than him in the post. He has a strong build that he brings over from football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635b34c9dfe9c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1633068"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Believe the hype for Palmer. The 6'4 guard has wide athletic frame that carries his fundamental game. He's a good defender, has great court vision for an off guard, and has touch on his shots. Palmer draws fouls on his drive with smaller defenders bouncing off of him. His work out of the triple threat and off the pivot show an advanced skill set. He's up next out of the Daytona area</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635b3564dfe9d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1633077"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooks Harris had one of the best on ball off ball games in the gym. He's a high IQ shooter that can stop on a dime to get in his shot. The Viera freshman has deep range on his jumper and a quick repeatable release. What impressed was his volume and confidence in shooting where ever he caught the ball. If his sized you up on the perimeter you had to fear the jumper and the drive. He finished several trips to the rim through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635b357ddfe9e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1582446"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guards may be the crown jewel of Florida's 2026 class. Cummings adds the shooting and lead guard play to the group. He started off hitting his first three jumpers from deep going 3 of 5 in the half. The proceeded to feed his team in transition. He already understand how to play with physicality. Plays with his head constantly looking for open man or best play. He's a solid driver that understand how to draw fouls and play through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635b359cdfe9f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1542328"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not many freshman offer you instant impact and a load of unpacked potential in their first varsity eligible season. Weathers passes the eye at a long armed 6'6. He's still raw but it's obvious he already has an inside out game. He willingly defends bigs and excels as a weak side defender. Offensively, the flashes of post footwork and outside shooting should make The Villages coaches very excited. He's already a lob threat and solid finisher around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->