Summer Watch: SWFL 2027 Prospects, First Five

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school basketball season has come to a close, and players throughout the state are switching gears from their school teams, right into travel ball. From circuit teams to independent programs, tournaments are being held each and every weekend, and there are a number of SWFL prospects who will be lacing them up, in hopes of improving their game and seeing their stock rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2125500"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69c2e2851fe2e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The hardworking guard from Charlotte, Nestor, put together one heck of a season in his first year with the Tarpons. The do-it-all guard can score on all 3-levels, and has a tremendous mid-range game to go along with his unlimited range. Nestor is a smart prospect who plays the game right and never takes a play off. He is a strong, tough defender who never backs down from an assignment and really prides himself on that side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2894779"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69c2e2851febd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bass-Bonner exploded onto the scene after arriving at FBA around the middle of this past season. The 6'8" forward is an extremely talented prospect and is already garnering division I interest. He has the size and strength to beat you down low, but also has exceptional handles where he can beat you off the dribble and create his own shot. He is an excellent three-point shooter, and creates mismatches for opposing teams on both ends of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Deo Downs","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lehigh","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69c2e2851ff97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The floor general from Lehigh, Downs, is an extremely smart and savvy player. He plays the game with confidence and under control, and nothing fazes him when he's on the court. He has tremendous court vision and is always looking to get his teammates involved, but can also score in bunches. Downs has elite handles and the ability to finish around the rim with either hand, and also shoots the 3-ball at a very high rate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2532282"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69c2e2851fffa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martinez is a gym rat who is always working on his craft. The strong-bodied guard gives it 100% every time he steps on the floor, and is willing to sacrifice his body for the team. He'll do whatever it takes to get the win and never backs down from an assignment. Martinez has the ability to beat you off the dribble, or stop on a dime and knock down the jumper in your face, and when he gets hot can be deadly from behind the arc. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3557193"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69c2e28520056"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lehigh's man in the middle, Thurman, has tremendous upside and is one of the top prospects in the area. He is a long, athletic player with excellent jumping ability and loves to play above the rim. He is a force on the boards on both ends of the court, and is a menace on defense with his shot altering and blocking ability. Thurman is effective in the post, but also has a nice smooth stroke from the outside which allows him to stretch the defense and open up the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->