Top Shooters: Miami
In this article:
Jordan Hamburger, SLAM Academy
The 5-foot-10 Class of 2019 guard had several games of 4+ treys this past season, including a 3-point barrage in which he fired in six 3-point field goals. One of the most seasoned guards with a wealth of veteran experience, the onus is on Hamburger to create his own shot more this season. He’s accustomed to playing off the ball and spotting up.
This season, as he inherits a more prominent scoring role, he will look to hit the transition 3-pointer and use his tightened up handle to set up his shot. The word of Hamburger’s deadly shooting is beginning to move around the Miami beachfire. Thus, Hamburger can expect Ziplock-tight defense and face guarding and hard-nosed defenders chomping at the bid to apply a blanketing clamp down operation on him.
Julian Garcia, Mater Lakes Academy
The 5-foot-9 Class of 2020 guard may not pass the eye test, but he’s got a tremendous green light with head coach Juan Urbina and one can clearly see why. Garcia has a quick release and can pull it up from deep, an aspect he’s improved upon with added focus. He’s been playing off the ball and has managed to get open exceptionally well.
He’s beginning to add some wrinkles to his offensive game, throwing head fakes and establishing a shot fake before depositing a mid-range jumper. As he continues to shoot it on the fly and get a pull-up game going, expect his scoring to increase this season.
Richard Charles, North Miami
The memorable 3-point clinic the 6-foot-2 Class of 2019 off guard put together against Gulliver Prep last season in which Charles hit 11 treys, solidified his status as one of the deadliest trigger men in the city and the state. Charles is the best source to spark a momentum-rolling run when he fires in from deep. Charles is one of the few players in the state who can bag shots from 2-3 feet beyond the 3-point line and extending it to NBA range.
Charles’ crossover dribble and tight handle, one which he keeps very low to the floor, have enabled him to really create for himself. He’s become reliant on a nifty left-handed floater when he needs to mix it up a bit. Charles hits oceanic-deep shots and pressure-spiked shots that few at this level can even simulate.
Tony Sanders, Gulliver Prep
The 6-foot-5 guard has a powerful 3-point stroke, one which he gets off smoothly. He’s got a high release point and a defender can’t take the gamble of leaving him space. One year after fleeing from obscurity, Sanders has the clout of a high major flamethrower who could potentially catch multiple junk defenses this season. With Jamal Mashburn Jr. leaving to play for Jason Smith and a prestigious Brewster Academy program in New Hampshire, Sanders is the high-scoring Class of 2020 source on whom Gulliver will lean heavily. He scores it all three levels, albeit his shot really opens up the entire offense and spreads Gulliver out.
Marcus Montalvo, Westminster
The cerebral guard has a deft touch and is realizing how to become an automatic shooter. He had several games of three treys or more last season, a portent of what is to come this year. Montalvo has developed a well rounded offensive game and continues to evolve as an all three levels scorer who can manufacture points based on what the team needs. Expect him to increase his scoring average and lead by example this season.
Jordan Bernstein, Miami Beach
Following a productive summer in which he showed an advanced perimeter stroke, Bernstein is ready to pilot the perimeter game for Miami Beach senior high. He’s got the mechanics down and doesn’t hesitate, dialing in from way downtown. He’s got a bit of unorthodox form but if he continues to shoot it at the percentage he did this summer, there is no need to tweak it.
He loves to free himself up on the baseline and catch, face, and fire. He’s bringing what’s essentially regarded as a lost art in today’s game with a long range jumper. He can space out the defense by getting a foot or two in front of the 3-point line and sticking shots, a rarity in today’s game that emphasizes the 3-point shot from nearly every position on the floor.