Sarasota/Manatee Underclassmen to Watch

With the spring NCAA “Live” evaluation period beginning tomorrow and college coaches across the country increasingly shifting their focus toward the underclassmen classes, several prospects from Sarasota and Manatee County appear ready to see their recruitment take another step forward.    The area's top prospect continues leads the way for Austin Rivers SE Elite on the adidas 3SSB circuit. Lackaff is a highly skilled guard and one of the better perimeter shot makers in the country. A capable secondary ball handler, he has continued to improve his ability to create offense off the dribble and make plays out of ball screen action. He uses screens effectively off the ball, plays with toughness and confidence, and competes on both ends of the floor. An above average athlete with a strong work ethic, Lackaff's combination of skill, shot making, and feel for the game continues to attract college attention.     After averaging 12.5 points per game for Parrish this season, Roberts has carried that momentum into the spring with JET Academy on Nike's EYBL circuit. The sophomore guard has shown noticeable improvement in the last 9 months, emerging as a strong, physical scoring presence in the backcourt. A capable shot maker from the perimeter, he can create offense as a secondary ball handler and plays with confidence when attacking off the bounce. Roberts continues to expand his offensive skill set and looks poised for a significant jump in his recruitment over the next year.     Price is a versatile frontcourt prospect whose stock continues to trend upward this spring while playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2076344' first='1Family' last=''] on the PUMA Pro16 circuit. A mobile, long, and athletic forward, he impacts the game in a variety of ways with his activity level and physical tools. Skilled enough to handle the ball in transition and knock down an open three, Price is at his best around the rim, where he finishes through contact, attacks the glass, and thrives in the open floor. His combination of length, athleticism, motor, and developing skill set gives him significant long term upside.     The junior averaged nearly 18 points and 5 rebounds per game this season while continuing to establish himself as one of the area's top perimeter prospects. Long has positional size for a guard, along with good quickness and the versatility to play either backcourt spot. A reliable shot maker with range, he can score both off the catch and off the bounce while also making sound decisions with the basketball in his hands. His high basketball IQ and ability to impact the game in multiple ways continue to make him an intriguing college prospect.     Poylnice will compete this weekend with [program_tooltip program_id='2076293' first='Skills' last='Center Elite'] on the UA Rise circuit in Ohio. The junior combo guard is a scoring minded backcourt prospect who plays with good pace, quickness, and confidence. He is capable of knocking down open perimeter shots while also creating offense off the dribble and getting into the paint. Poylnice competes defensively, especially as an on-ball defender, and brings toughness on both ends of the floor.

With the spring NCAA “Live” evaluation period beginning tomorrow and college coaches across the country increasingly shifting their focus toward the underclassmen classes, several prospects from Sarasota and Manatee County appear ready to see their recruitment take another step forward.