#FLDreamMLK Day 1 Immediate Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The 5th Annual I Have A Dream MLK Challenge hosted by Marcus Mcgee Basketball has brought together 35 teams from the South Florida area, and it is a field loaded with talent that will be highly competitive and will offer great exposure for the teams and players. Day one had 3 exciting games to start off the weekend, and here are my immediate takeaways…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1747016,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Alex-Lloyd-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Alex-Lloyd-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1747016" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301705' first='Alexander' last='Lloyd']</strong> (6'5/PG/'25/Westminster Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Alexanderlloyd33</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @alexlloyd33</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">This is my second time putting ink on Alex, and since the last time I saw him last summer, he has definitely been in the lab. He has a smooth game that he put on display. He is a score-first PG who, even though he can score the rock, still does an excellent job initiating the offense. He made his presence felt as he showed that he can run the show and go for big points. He is an athletic downhill attacking guard that finishes well in the paint as well as at and above the rim. He is a gifted scorer that had the tools on full display. He is a confident lead guard that was not rattled against pressure and showed an excellent IQ and feel for the game. He dropped 32pts in the 88-78 win over St. Brendan.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/FutureDraftStyl/status/1609264786100916225","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/FutureDraftStyl/status/1609264786100916225 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1747027,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Colin-Drummond-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Colin-Drummond-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1747027" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Colin Drummond </strong>(6'4/PF/'23/Western HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Cjdtv_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @ColinDrummond1023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Colin finds himself on this list, and it is not for his ability to score the rock. He is a presence for Western in the paint, on the boards, and on the defensive end of the floor. He made winning plays that were not scoring plays but was what Western needed. He has the willingness to defend on and off the ball, and his length creates problems. If you look in the scorebook, Colin is a player that you would think did not play, but his presence was felt beyond the scoring column. I have sat in many rooms during the summer where camps held parent meetings, and one of the questions was, how do they get their son/daughter exposure when they are not the player on the team that is relied on for scoring. Well, Colin showed how to do it as he embraced his role and impacted the game defensively and on the glass.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colin finds himself on this list, and it is not for his ability to score the rock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1747034,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Gabe-Hernandez-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Gabe-Hernandez-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1747034" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='962508' first='Gabriel' last='Hernandez'] </strong>(5'11/CG/'23/Doral Academy HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: gabeehernandezz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">One of the most potent and prolific scorers on day one was Gabriel. He was obviously the focus of Western's defensive game plan because they threw everything at him but the kitchen sink. They fouled him hard, sent multiple defenders, grabbed him, and held him, yet he still finished with 24pts. He is a kid that can flat-out score the rock. He has excellent elevation on his jumper, gets to his spots on the floor where he can elevate over defenders, and is a tough shot-maker from anywhere on the court. He demands all 10-eyes of the defense to be on him at all times, which makes life very easy for his teammates. Gabe is a heady player with instincts and feel for the game. He moves well off the ball, comes off screens well, and understands how to find space for his shot. It has been a long time since I have seen a high school player have to deal with the level of physicality that he faced and still produce in the manner in which he did. As I perused through his submitted player profile, I was extremely shocked that he is sitting on only one offer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most potent and prolific scorers on day one was Gabriel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1747037,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-DJ-Sandi-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-DJ-Sandi-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1747037" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DJ Sandi </strong>(6'1/CG/'26/St. Thomas Aquinas) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: _djsandi</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @DJSandi_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I have seen DJ several times throughout AAU basketball, and since the last time I saw him, he has elevated his game. He is a player that has a good balance between scoring and facilitating. He is a reliable floor general who can orchestrate and get his teammates involved, slide over to the off-guard spot, and score the rock with propensity. He is at his best when attacking off the bounce and has the freedom to create for himself and his teammates. His vision and passing lead to easy buckets, and he does a great job keeping everyone happy. What I want to see DJ develop more of is his leadership ability on the floor. We have all heard that the PG is the coach on the floor, and it is obvious that DJ is that, as well as the alpha male on his team. He has the tools but must understand how to be a floor general. Now don't get me wrong, as I said, his toolkit is loaded with tools, but as I look at his potential trajectory, he has to be able to lead. With his ability alone, he should never have allowed his team to score just 11 2nd half points and let Rivieria Prep walk his squad down. I know DJ is just a freshman, clocking heavy minutes and playing a huge role, but from watching him over the years, he has the capacity to be the leader, not just the best player, on his squad.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/FutureDraftStyl/status/1596257256399859712","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/FutureDraftStyl/status/1596257256399859712 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1747039,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Alex-Constanza-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Alex-Constanza-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1747039" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Alex Constanza </strong>(6'8/SG/'26/Westminster Academy) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: iamalexconstanza</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @_alexconstanza</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">On a loaded Westminster squad, the 2026 SG Alex does not get overshadowed. He has excellent positional size and skills to go along with it. He plays inside-out and is a tough match-up for the majority of high school defenders. Oh, did I mention that the kid is just a freshman that has the tools that make it hard to say no to him? He is still learning how to play and win, but with sheer talent alone, he has already emerged into a high-level prospect. He scores the ball with ease from all levels and can do it off the bounce and showed in the latter part of the game his ability to step out and knock down the trey ball. He has a quiet toughness but still has to continue to get in the weight room and get stronger for the journey ahead of him. If you are looking for a young player to put stock in, I encourage you to go ahead and lock in with Alex. He has great length and size for a shooting guard, athleticism, and good basketball instincts. From what I saw on his profile he completed I see several colleges wasting no time on offering, and I encourage others to join the party.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/WALionsBasketb1/status/1607783664490024960","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/WALionsBasketb1/status/1607783664490024960 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1747040,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Maximo-Ortega-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Maximo-Ortega-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1747040" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Maximo Ortega </strong>(6'1/PG/'25/Doral Academy HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: themaxortega</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @themaxortega</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Maximo makes up one of the best backcourts I saw on day one. His play alongside [player_tooltip player_id='962508' first='Gabriel' last='Hernandez'] was exciting to watch. Max is a PG with some intriguing tools in the toolbox. He can score the rock, but he is a pass-first PG that is a dynamic playmaking guard. He plays at a nice pace and rarely ever allowed the defensive pressure to speed him up. He is a shifty guard with handles that understands how to keep his defender off balance with his ability to change speeds. Facilitating is the strength of his game, well, at least it was for the game I saw on day one, as he is a high-end decision-maker in tight quarters and in the open floor. He distributes the ball well, and it all starts with his patience which the Doral system demands their lead guards have at the point of attack. If Max did not have the ability to deal with the initial pressure of his defender, it would disrupt the offensive flow and the sets that Doral likes to get into. Max brings a lot to the game, as many of the winning plays he made were not scoring plays and may never be seen in a scorebook, but his play was one of the reasons Doral had a chance to pull it out down the stretch.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maximo makes up one of the best backcourts I saw on day one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1747064,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Dante-Allen-Canva.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Dante-Allen-Canva.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1747064" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301788' first='Dante' last='Allen'] </strong>(6'4/G|F/'25/Riviera Preparatory School)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Dantea35</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Dante_Allen35</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Dante struggled early in the first half and had to take an early seat after picking up his 3rd foul, but he bounced back in the 2nd half. He is a stout player that can handle the responsibility of playing on and off the ball. One of the things that I liked about Dante was his ability to rebound and start the break, which was one of the reasons why RP was able to walk down St. Thomas in the second half. Dante exposed St. Thomas' lack of urgency when it came to their defensive transition. With Dante pushing pace, it forced St. Thomas to defend in chaos, giving the advantage to Dante's playmaking abilities. He showed his ability to score the rock, and had he not been in foul trouble, he probably would have gone for a twenty-piece or higher because he just knows how to score the rock. He has a great combination of power and strength and uses both to finish plays in the paint. When he was able to get in the flow of the game, I loved the efficiency and productivity of his play.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/VBE_Takeoff/status/1610438232780509187","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/VBE_Takeoff/status/1610438232780509187 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->