City Of Palms Classic Preview: IMG Academy Ascenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 50th Annual City of Palms Classic will be taking place from December 18 through December 23 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers. Leading up to the nation's prestigious event, Prep Hoops Florida scout Ross Van De Griek will be providing an in-depth preview from several teams in this year's field. Next up, we will feature the IMG Academy Ascenders who will be bringing their national squad who are making their first appearance in the event since 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Sean McAloon, 7th Season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Opening Game</strong>: vs Richmond Heights (OH)- Wednesday, 12/20 at 11:15 a.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IMG Academy Ascenders are talented once again and are making their first appearance in the City of Palms Classic since 2021, where they finished in third place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1437537"],"_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":"The 6-2 junior point guard is a special kind of talent where he dominates the pace of play. Acuff makes defenders shake and is impossible to keep out of the lane as he uses his speed and strength to his advantage. He is also a capable 3-point shooter where he can also finish above the rim while absorbing contact. On the defensive end, Acuff plays with a ton of versatility and can guard out on the perimeter as well as at the rim.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1127315"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The 6-8 senior forward and Michigan commit has a combination skillset of length and speed on both ends of the floor. Rooths is a dominant wing where he can cover his spots as well as score on all three levels. On the defensive end of the floor, he is a matchup nightmare where he guards positions 1 through 5 using his length to challenge opposing shots around the rim. He's not your perennial threat to knock down shots from the perimeter but he has a strong tendency to knock down shots off the bounce as well as off the catch.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1091939"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The 6-6 senior forward and Houston commit has nice length with strong defending skills whether it's guarding on or off the ball. McCarty has a natural IQ where he is able to process the basketball by playing with active hands and footwork where he can turn defense into offense in a hurry. On the offensive end, he is a strong passer as well as a true three-level scorer who can be trusted to knock down big time shots. He is a big-time playmaker who also has one of the smoothest shot releases for his class.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1157235"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A 6-5 senior shooting guard and Notre Dame commit has a strong knack to be a dangerous threat when it comes to shooting from the perimeter. On the defensive end, Certa adds a ton of versatility where he can guard multiple positions with his size and length. He adds a ton of threats on the offensive glass where he can also finish put-backs as well as run the floor exceptionally well in transition. Look for Certa to always find ways where he can improve his game as he is a viable future NBA Draft pick.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1127309"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The 6-9 senior forward and Syracuse commit adds a combination skillset of size and length. Freeman plays with great interior defense where he's either blocking shots or getting rebounds to push the pace on the offensive end of the floor. On the offensive end, Freeman has a strong ability to score in a variety of ways where he can be on the blocks or out on the mid-range where he has continued to improve his shooting touch. Look for Freeman to play a big time role in this year's City of Palms Classic where he has the potential to be mentioned in the All-Tournament team.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657894a6bc6c0"} /-->