#BOTBFL Standouts Part 2 (HS Showcase)
I dropped my first article on players who stood out at the #BOTBFL showcase. Here is part 2 of some of the players that stood out to me… Ryan Carey (6’3/SF/’27/Lake Nona HS) Instagram: Ryancarey82 Ryan is a two-way player that…
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Continue ReadingI dropped my first article on players who stood out at the #BOTBFL showcase. Here is part 2 of some of the players that stood out to me…
Ryan Carey (6’3/SF/’27/Lake Nona HS)
Instagram: Ryancarey82
Ryan is a two-way player that competed on every possession. There wasn’t any type of dynamic play or freakish show of athleticism that caught my attention; it was his play as a freshman that got my eyes on him. He played the game the right way, made the right passes, played unselfishly, produced offensively, and was a willing defender. He scored from all levels and has a game beyond his grade. He is a solid player who makes winning plays that contribute to winning.
Ari Smith Ari Smith 6'3" | CG Martin County | 2026 State FL (6’1/PG/’26/Martin County)
Instagram: Arismithh13
X/Twitter: @Arismithh13
Ari brought a lot of energy and effort to the floor and was a force to deal with off-the-bounce. He is a slippery scorer with a quick first step and end-to-end speed who can get to the rack whenever desired. He did not put up a lot of shot attempts from the perimeter, and as I try to think back over it, I did not see him take any shots from the outside during the times I watched his team compete. That, alone, caused him to operate at a deficit because even though many at camp did not do it, the teams he will face when the season begins will take a chance and play off of him just to see if he can make the outside shot. Mixing it up and being able to score from outside will improve Ari’s stock because he was one of the best, slashing through defenses and getting to the cup. Let me put this disclaimer out: Ari may be able to score from the perimeter, but in my first evaluation of his game, he did not show if he could or couldn’t, but I will see him again.
James Nowells (6’0/G|F/’27/Dr. Philips HS)
Instagram: jn_nowells
James showed his athleticism and ability to finish throughout camp. He is embarking upon his freshman season and is a listed G|F, but standing as a listed 6’0 player, he will need to settle into his backcourt position of playing on and off the ball. He did a good job getting to the rim and finishing with craftiness. He is a player best suited for an uptempo style of play. It will be interesting to watch his development over the next couple of years and then see what his final two years will hold for him.
Jye Moreno (5’9/PG/’26/Boone HS)
Instagram: Bucketboy_jye
X/Twitter: @bucketboy_jye
Jye did his best work when he was facilitating the offense in the 5v5 games. He is patient with the rock, understands situations, and has an excellent feel for the game and where the ball needs to go. His vision, along with his passing skills, allows him to play with good court awareness while being able to make the right plays when opportunities open up. He showed his ability to knock down the trey ball, which makes it difficult for defenders to help off him. Jye did quite a few things well throughout camp on both ends of the floor. There was nothing flashy about his play as he went about the day in a very business-like manner. He has to continue to stay in the weight room to develop his body to help embrace the contact he absorbs when he is creating off the bounce.
Dallas Lambert Dallas Lambert 6'4" | SF Port Charlotte | 2026 State FL (6’3/G|F/’26/Port Charlotte HS)
Instagram: dallaslambertt
X/Twitter: @dallaslambertt
Dallas is a lefty that can really score the rock. He doesn’t waste any motion as he is precise with his moves and gets to his spots in a hurry. He was thriving in the open court and showed great burst as he beat defenders time and time again. He has good positional size and showed amazing ability when finishing at the rim. He is a smooth, effortless shooter who can get his shot off from anywhere on the court. He is an athletic, downhill-attacking player who puts pressure on the rim. He forced some unwarranted shots, but with his aggressive nature throughout camp, you could see how he could find himself in situations where he took those shots.
Dominick Walsh (5’10/CG/’27/Fivay HS)
Instagram: dominickwalsh1019
Dominick is a heady pass-first PG who did an excellent job at running the show for his squad in the 5v5 games. He knows how to set the table for his teammates and get them the rock on-time, on-target, and in places where they can be successful. He controls the pace of the game and was at his best when he was out and pushing the rock in transition, taking advantage of sloppy transition defense. He’s got great tools to work with and a chance to develop into a prospect that can garner attention from the collegiate level. He is quick with the rock in his hands, has good foot speed, which was seen on the defensive end of the floor, and plays with a good IQ. He has a nice all-around game that will continue to develop if he stays in the lab. Dominick has to fall in love with the weight room as he continues his basketball journey.