Gritty Guards of 2019 and 2020
Julio Rodriguez, Champagnat
The Class of 2020 point guard has authored a wild summer tear. After a 26-point performance during the HoopMIA event, Rodriguez turned in 22 points, five boards, and five assists with a sea of Division 1 coach onlookers at the Super Showcase.
Rodriguez has a skilled and manipulative one on one game, an attribute which allows him to thrive as a prolific scorer off the dribble.
He’s equally adept at slashing and finding his way to the rim through traffic. He creates space for himself rather easily. The 6-foot-1 Miami product is a high scoring point guard with natural instinctive ability in leading a team.
Idressa Bivens, The Nation Prep
The 6-foot-1 point guard jacked up his stock with an eye widening and promising performance against now-NBA guard Anfernee Simons at IMG Academy.
Bivens has the type of handle and facilitating aptitude to really spearhead an offense. The Class of 2019 prospect turned in multiple performances of 10 assists or more as an underrated junior.
Sam Griffin, Westminster Academy
No longer the unsung backup to the program’s all time leading scorer and hyper-clutch in Zach Scott (now at Florida Gulf Coast University under first year head coach Michael Fly), Griffin has had a stellar summer.
He’s become more of a catch-and-stick threat. The Class of 2019 guard has developed a knack for scoring off the dribble and creating good looks for himself. He has all the integral components to be one of South Florida’s premier dual threat point guards.
He’s picked up recent Division-1 offers from programs such as Drexel, Hofstra, and NJIT.
UT-Arlington assistant coach Snoop Johnson, who has done a commendable job recruiting Griffin’s hot-shooting teammate Chase Johnston, has also plunked down a scholarship offer.
Ja’khari Lacount, Miami Coral Park
The crafty Class of 2020 guard is offensively gifted. He’s capable of hitting tough, heavily contested shots which most at this level aren’t capable of.
Lacount has displayed a proficiency with stepbacks, pull-ups, runners and floaters. He’s another skilled high-scoring point guard alongside similar threats such as the aforementioned Julio Rodriguez and Saint Vincent.
Aderes Staton McCray, Blanch Ely
The 6-foot-4 guard/forward is jarringly similar to Providence freshman David Duke with his powerful first step.
Also similar to Duke, the Class of 2020 prospect knows how to tear into the driving lanes and finish in crafty fashion.
He’s developed a reliable shot from outside as well. With FAU-bound Michael Forrest and recently reclassified Kenny Isnord claimed by 2018 graduation, the high motored McCray has the opportunity to be an impactful all three levels scorer.
Jorge Becceri, Mater Academy
The rugged Class of 2019 point guard embodies everything a point guard should be with his toughness and ability to find his teammates on the court.
A two-way presence under the iconic Marcos “Shakey” Rodriguez, Becceri will be instrumental in how a promising team fares in 2018-19.
David Perez, University School
The final page of the high octane guard’s illustrious prep career will be written alongside tremendous star power at U-School.
He’s got some bounce as a hard slashing guard. He’s a deft passer who knows how to pick apart a defense.
If Perez can incorporate a reliable shot to his game, he’s got a great chance to mirror and enable the prolonged success of the highly touted Vernon Carey, Scottie Barnes, and Jace Howard.