2025 Midseason Stock Risers (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have reached the midway point in the 2023-2024 High School Basketball Season. Over the next couple of days, Prep Hoops Florida scouts are taking a deep dive into who has provided the biggest stock. Next, we will be providing this year's junior class stock risers and concluding with the freshman early next week. Coaches, if you have a player who deserves to be recognized please send me an email (rossvdg14@gmail.com) or a direct message on X @RossVDG14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1379527"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e2023-2024 Stats: 16.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.4 APG u0026amp; 2.3 SPGu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnThe 6-2 junior guard has played with complete confidence and is a perennial threat to score on all three levels. Smith has done it all on the offensive end whether it's shooting from beyond the arc or getting to the front of the rim. On the defensive end, he has provided great rebounding intangibles from the guard position and can quickly push the pace for his teammates to set them up. Look for Smith to continue to have a solid junior season as he should start getting college coaches on his radar as soon as this spring.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2274529"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e2023-2024 Stats: 6.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.7 APG u0026amp; 1.4 SPGu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnThe 6-1 junior guard plays with a combination skillset of speed and purpose. Owens isn't afraid when it comes to scoring at the rim while absorbing contact. He is also unafraid when it comes to providing a sweet shooting stroke from beyond the arc. On the defensive end, Owens is a solid rebounder for his size and very active in the passing lanes where he can force turnovers.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1567305"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e2023-2024 Stats: N/Au003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnThe 6-1 guard has a ton of upside heading into his junior season, as he continues to display his confidence and shooting ability. He also has one of the best IQs I've seen for his class as he forces defenses to collapse with his drive and kick-outs to find open shooters. Look for his stock to continue to rise as he is one of the top shooters so far this season in the SWFL area. He has a strong frame on the defensive end and is an above-average rebounder who can quickly push the ball in transition.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2300466"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e2023-2024 Stats: 21.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.9 APG u0026amp; 2.8 SPGu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnThe 6-0 junior guard likes to play with speed and purpose when he has the basketball in his hands. Williams has a smooth release of a jump shot where he can connect whether it's from the mid-range or from beyond the arc. He has been a huge contributor for Bishop Verot this season after transferring from Evangelical Christian during the off-season. Williams is a true on-the-ball defender who makes havoc for opposing guards into getting a good shot, as well as great hands where he can get steals and deflections.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1301770"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e2023-2024 Stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.5 APG u0026amp; 1.5 SPGu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnThe 6-1 junior guard is a pure lefty and has one of the smoothest shooting strokes I've seen in the state this season. Ferguson is crafty when it comes to playmaking as well as scoring on a dime. He has a strong IQ where he doesn't turn the ball over often as well as playing with a knack of unselfishness. On the defensive end, Ferguson can guard on and off the ball at a high level where he has improved since the beginning of his sophomore season. Keep an eye on Ferguson as he could start to draw college interest as soon as this spring.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1988096"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e2023-2024 Stats: 18.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.0 APG u0026amp; 2.9 SPGu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnThe 6-0 junior guard is an absolute pest on the defensive end of the floor where he provides a ton of energy and chaos in the backcourt. He's also very quick when it comes to guarding on the ball as well as liking to get out and run in transition whether it's off a turnover or rebound. Offensively, Easley has done a little bit of everything for Cypress Lake so far this season where he can score on all three levels as well as create for his teammates averaging six assists per game.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1477728"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e2023-2024 Stats: 11.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG u0026amp; 5.8 APGu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnThe 6-2 junior combo guard has fit in right away with Windermere Prep after transferring from Lowndes (Georgia) last summer. Shoptaw has displayed a great feel whether it's his leadership on the floor or his ability to score on all three levels. His ball handling and touch has gradually improved since the beginning of the season as well as his rebounding. Shoptaw continues to have a huge upside and should start to blow up on the recruiting trail when the spring and summer Live Periods conclude.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a161168e66f"} /-->