Hoop Vibe Preseason Tip-off: Standout Players

The Hoop Vibe Preseason Tip-off has officially come to a close, however there where many standout players over the past two days. With the High School Basketball season officially starting this Monday, let's examine 5 players who hope to take their positive momentum into the new season.    Coming off a 20-point performance on Day 1, [player_tooltip player_id='2954275' first='Michael' last='Sams III'] picked up right where he left off with another strong performance for his McKeel team. Sams was influential for his squad, providing them with a shooting presence, which helped open up the floor for the rest of his teammates. With his team down double digits heading into the 4th quarter, Sams hit back-to-back NBA range threes to help propel his Wildcats squad back into the lead. He then followed up his offense with solid defense, providing ball pressure and helping his team close out CSN down the stretch. Only a freshman, [player_tooltip player_id='2194978' first='Michael' last='Sams'] shows confidence beyond his years and will most certainly be a player to keep an eye out for over the coming years!     Standing at 6'4 and weighing 185 pounds, Deion Drone has a great size and athleticism, allowing him to take advantage of smaller matchups. Against Community School of Naples, Drone posted 22 points, most of which came via his strong takes to the basket. With his frame, Drone possesses the ability to power through his opponents at the rim, but also possesses the touch and skill to deliver finesse finishes against taller bigs. Deion Drone also showcased his ability to hit from beyond the arc, and if his shot can continue to develop/progress, the sky truly is the limit for this class of 2028 prospect!     In the recent SFABC preseason poll, [player_tooltip player_id='2826528' first='Daniel' last='Rees'] was recognized with all-area honors, and his performance this past Saturday has only elevated his stature in SWFL basketball. Rees posted 39 points, 11 rebounds and 3 steals against a defensively stout Palmetto Ridge team. Daniel was lethal from beyond the arc, hitting numerous difficult pull-up jumpers, while mixing in a healthy dose of crafty drives to the rim. Although Rees' Celtics ultimately came up short, Rees' ability to overcome a quick deficit and keep his team composed full all 32 minutes was impressive, showcasing leadership that every coach desires in the point guard.     In a day packed with a plethora of exciting games, [player_tooltip player_id='2522828' first='Cole' last='Vetor'] stole the show with his elite shot-making. Matched up against a talented McKeel team with scrappy guard play, Vetor was able to use his quickness and agility to generate open looks from beyond the arc. It truly felt like Vetor could not miss, hitting shots going left, going right and even off one leg. Vetor's range was truly a sight to behold, and if he can maintain this consistency, he absolutely has the potential to be an all-area selection come the end of the season.     While he may have only scored 11 points, Julian Rodriguez's impact for his team went far beyond the traditional box score. Coming off the bench, Rodriguez provided a spark for his Gulf Coast team, providing rebounding, playmaking and great intensity. Against aggressive pick and roll coverage, Julian provided well-timed short rolls, where he was able to make the right reads, leading to numerous open looks for his team. With this being his first game since the end of the football season, expect Rodriquez's production and minutes to increase over the course of the season, and watch out for his Sharks team.

The Hoop Vibe Preseason Tip-off has officially come to a close, however there where many standout players over the past two days. With the High School Basketball season officially starting this Monday, let's examine 5 players who hope to take their positive momentum into the new season.