Scholarship Hungry: Miami Guards/Wings
Markhi Strickland, IMG Academy
Now at 6-foot-7, Strickland has come a long way in a short period of time. Key for his evolution has been polishing up his handle and developing a guard’s skill set.
Strickland possesses the well rounded game as a multi-positional threat. He’s displayed immense athleticism and the ability to really get out in transition and finish above the rim. His hang time and ability to glide through to the rim is notable.
Defensively, he could guard the 1-3 and perhaps even the four at this level. Entertaining a national schedule at IMG Academy this season will enable him to flee from obscurity and register his presence.
While he still needs to make his jumper a reliable tool, he’s got the length and bounce and defensive aptitude to really shed the label of raw this season. His length and engagement on the defensive end continue to make him a pest, as he really creates disruption for ball handlers throughout.
Nathan Montaque, Somerset Pines
The 6-foot-6 Class of 2020 guard/forward will assume the leadership mantle as a reliable scorer who can take game-changing matters into his own hands. He’s a smart offensive player and doesn’t force the issue, creating the space and hunting for his shot. Montaque has also flashed a 3-point game this summer. He erupted with a 31-point game during a thorough 80-56 pounding of St. Brendan, finishing with a game-best 31 points. Somerset Pines hopes this was a portent of things to come this season as Montague enters as the focal point.
John Square, Florida Christian
Square will shoulder the role of “Mr. Everything” for Florida Christian this year. While he’s constantly aggressive on the glass, he’s expanded his game as a go-to scoring option who loves to finish at the rim. He’s got the type of strength and athleticism that makes him a rarified athlete at this level, enabling him to thrive with his one on one game and continuously win the battle between a defender and the basket.
His springy bounce and sheer grit at the rim are factors which propel him to constant attack mode. Expect the Class of 2020 prospect to inherit some ownership of this team in 2018-19. With the aforementioned Strickland fleeing for IMG, he will surely be featured night in and night out.
Yohamid Rodriguez, Coral Gables
The crafty Class of 2019 5-foot-11 guard has developed a knack for getting around players and finishing at the rim in ambidextrous fashion. He displayed certifiable range and timely 3-point shooting while in Las Vegas earlier last month, sparking the perimeter onslaught alongside DME Academy’s Malcolm Farrington. Rodriguez is underrated as far as his nifty handles and his shiftiness, aspects which make him hard to guard.
Anthony Hundley, Booker T
The 6-foot-4 sophomore has been the ideal glue guy, with smothering defense and an aggressiveness on the glass. As he adapts to a more daunting role offensively, expect him to improve in each of the skill compartments. He’s shown good life on his mid-range jumper and has become more confident at threading through defenders on the drive. He’s shown spurts of high level athleticism, with his vertical increasing a few notches this summer. Anticipate a bigger role as a multi-dimensional piece this ensuing season.
Eduardo Valerio, American
The 5-foot-11 Class of 2019 guard has evolved into a knockdown shooter who can really operate in the one on one game. By utilizing fakes, off the dribble moves, and backing down defenders, he’s become more adept as a scorer who can break down a defense. His shot, of course, is his most unique asset. He’s worked at shedding the habit of a slow release, improving as a catch-and-stick threat. While his form may not be the most conventional, he has surely ratcheted up the efficiency.
Leo Martinez, Ferguson
Martinez has to be one of the most underrated scorers in the area. This past season, he rapidly morphed into a flamethrower who can get hot and decimate defenses in clusters. His deep, long range shooting and natural feel for scoring the ball at all three levels led to a number of 20+ point efforts. He’s got a tendency to really toy with defenders off the dribble, hitting stepback 3-pointers and making such a move a trademark move of his.
Martinez rose to relevance this past winter, scoring 30 points on Braddock and following it up with 20 points against South Miami. High pressure defense has done little to stifle his scoring sprees this season. His spurt-ability is an aspect that makes him such an intriguing threat with the ball in his hands. When he gets hot and is scoring through contact, it could be a long and exasperating night for a defender.