Pasco County Preview: Which prospects are set to shine?

Pasco County, Florida, has seen an explosion of talent on the hardwood in the last few years. We are taking an early look at some of the most dynamic players in the county who you should look out for to make significant impacts on their teams this season.    Mekdeci challenged himself in the offseason to become a better leader, improve his shooting mechanics, and enhance his basketball IQ. Early in the season, those efforts are paying off. Mekdeci has increased his scoring output to 10.3 points per game, facilitates the offense as a secondary ball handler, and acts as an extension of the coach on the floor communicating on both ends and ensuring his teammates are in the right spots.   With a solid, strong frame, Mekdeci understands how to use his body to get to his spots. He plays at his own pace, keeps his head up, and reads the floor well. He is a good decision-maker, learning the art of playing off of one action. Mekdeci is shooting the three-ball at 39% this season, making him a valuable floor spacer when he doesn't have the ball.     Walsh has had a hot start to the season as both a scorer and a facilitator. He excels at doing something most kids no longer prioritize: passing the ball. As a point guard, he gives the ball up early in the possession with advance passes to his wings, while continuing to run the floor and look for playmaking opportunities. He is a crafty finisher around the rim and can hit open jump shots. Walsh is an excellent decision-maker who sets the table for his teammates. He rebounds well for his position and is actively engaged on the defensive end. He is certainly shaping up to be one of the most well-rounded point guards in the area, regardless of class.     Wilson has significantly stepped up for Mitchell this season, transitioning from a solid role player in his sophomore campaign to a player poised to become the team's go-to leader. He has seen a remarkable jump in his scoring output to 20.3 points per game early in the season, up from just 5.6 points per game in his sophomore year.   Wilson's ability to shoot the rock is impressive, but his footwork is truly exceptional. Within the offense, he runs off numerous pindown screens and elevator actions. He always has his hands ready and feet set to take a good shot. Additionally, he reads his defenders well and capitalizes on bad closeouts with simple one-dribble pull-ups or floaters.     Early in the season, Yeager has established himself as the primary scorer for River Ridge. Not only is he averaging an impressive 29.3 points per game in the first three games, but he is also racking up stats across the board. Yeager has become the quintessential three-level scorer, playing with a lot of confidence.   He is giving his team a significant boost on the defensive end as well, averaging 3 steals and nearly 2 blocks per game. As the schedule becomes more challenging in the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see how he fares. However, it's clear that River Ridge's success will closely follow Yeager's performance.     Grove is a player who excels at doing the dirty work and can score without the team running a single play for him. Although he isn't big, he brings physicality and has a sneaky bounce that can catch defenders off guard. Grove picked basketball back up last year for the first time since entering high school. Despite basketball being his second sport, he leads the team in scoring with 13.3 points per game early in the season. As the best athlete on the team, he puts significant pressure to the rim from multiple facets. He can attack downhill as a ball handler, drive to the rim on slips or rolls out of pick-and-roll sets, and score through rebounds and putbacks. His jumpshot isn't a big feature of his game but it solid enough that you have to respect it.     Smith has kicked off the season with a series of solid performances. On a talented Wiregrass team, Smith has emerged as one of the key players, averaging 20.4 points per game early in the year. He joined the 1K scorer club before his fifth game of the season, checking that milestone off his to-do list.   If you enjoy watching players finish around the rim, Smith is sure to impress. His tool bag includes two-step finishes, Euro steps, low pickups, high pickups, delayed steps, and my favorite hang-and-hit contact finishes, making him a challenging player for defenders to contain.   Smith hasn't eased up on the boards either, continuing to rebound well for his position. He has nearly cut his turnover rate from last year in half averaging under 2 a game, dishing out 4 assists and 2 steals per game, while having a high utilization rate. Keep an eye on this young man as he looks set to close his prep career with a bang.     Wilson has significantly stepped up for Mitchell this season, transitioning from a solid role player in his sophomore campaign to a player poised to become the team's go-to leader. He has seen a remarkable jump in his scoring output to 20.3 points per game early in the season, up from just 5.6 points per game in his sophomore year.   Wilson's ability to shoot the rock is impressive, but his footwork is truly exceptional. Within the offense, he runs off numerous pindown screens and elevator actions. He always has his hands ready and feet set to take a good shot. Additionally, he reads his defenders well and capitalizes on bad closeouts with simple one-dribble pull-ups or floaters.

Pasco County, Florida, has seen an explosion of talent on the hardwood in the last few years. We are taking an early look at some of the most dynamic players in the county who you should look out for to make significant impacts on their teams this season.