2022 Rankings: Players To Watch Outside The Top 50
The final installment in our rankings is the Class of 2022. You can view the entire field of prospects by clicking here.
This class is spearheaded by Amen Thompson (No.8) and Ausar Thompson (No.10). The Pine Crest twins are the two best players in South Florida, in my opinion. Nine other South Florida prospects rank inside the top 50.
In this segment, I will highlight players outside of that margin.
Noah Kattan Noah Kattan 6'3" | CG Cypress Bay | 2022 State FL – Cypress Bay (PH. 227)
I think there is a ton of value here with Kattan at this spot. The 6-foot-3 combo guard has a good handle and can create his own shot. You will not have a problem with him playing off the ball and knocking down a basket from the perimeter. In addition, Kattan has plenty of quickness to get into the lane and finish at the rim. He scored 25 points and went 5-of-7 from deep in a game I witnessed against Stranahan. Kattan averaged 13.5 points per game for the Lightning last season. He will be counted on next year with the loss of 2021’s Jordan Hinds Jordan Hinds 6'3" | SF Cypress Bay | 2021 State FL and Jaylen Bernard Jaylen Bernard 6'5" | PF Cypress Bay | 2021 State FL . I think the challenge could make him a more well-rounded playmaker. He can complement his ball skill with strong vision and court awareness in the half court. Kattan also holds a 4.07 GPA in the classroom. Check him out by clicking here.
Jaylan Coats Jaylan Coats 6'4" | SF Miami Beach | 2022 State FL (Jaylen) – Miami Beach (PH. 245)
Coats is another prospect with good value at this ranking. The 6-foot-4 small forward averaged twelve points and 9.1 rebounds per game on 42 percent shooting from floor. Against McArthur, Coats scored a season-high 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. His work on the glass resulted in seven games with ten or more boards. Moreover, seven of those contests were double-doubles. On defense, he record 23 steals and 20 blocks. He should return along with 2023 Adam Squire Adam Squire 6'1" | PG Miami Beach Senior High | 2023 FL and 2022 Lucas Gibb Lucas Gibb 6'5" | CG Miami Beach | 2022 State FL to form a nice trio for Miami Beach.
Daniel Zaladon Daniel Zaladon 5'11" | PG Keys Gate | 2022 State FL – Keys Gate (PH. 222)
Zaladon put up fantastic numbers playing for the Knights last season. The 5-foot-11 point guard averaged 22.3 points, 2.5 assists and 3.9 steals per game on 63 percent shooting from the field. In addition, Zaladon went 24-of-43 (56 percent) from the perimeter. Against South Miami, he scored 22 points and went 4-of-6 from deep. Zaladon’s lowest output was a 17-point outing against Somerest Academy Silver Palms. He recorded 20 or more points in every other game. An active defender, Zaladon recorded 43 steals for Keys Gate. His consistency helped the Knights to a 12-8 record last season.
Braydin Samuels Braydin Samuels 6'2" | CG Martin County | 2022 State FL – Martin County (PH. 258)
The Tigers went 21-1 last season and Samuels was a huge factor. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard averaged 8.9 points and 2.7 rebounds on 43 percent shooting from the field. In Martin County’s lone loss, Samuels scored 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting against 6A finalist Mater Academy Charter. He is a nice rebounding guard, especially on the offensive glass. Samuels recorded 30 on that end, including three against the aforementioned Lions. He also shot a steady 32 percent (27-of-84) from deep. His overall production could increase with the loss of 2021 Nathan Mikkelson Nathan Mikkelson 6'7" | PF Martin County | 2021 FL (12.7 ppg). Martin County returns 2022 Ryan Davis Ryan Davis 6'4" | CG Martin County | 2022 State FL and three other players that averaged over six points per game.
Alex Houck Alex Houck 6'3" | CG Jupiter | 2022 State FL – Jupiter (PH. 192)
Houck was very impressive playing for the Warriors last season. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and 2.5 steals per game under head coach JD DePasquale. Houck is a crafty playmaker that can score from all three levels. He is diligent in his reads and limits his mistakes. Houck can create for others and defends his position well. I really like that rebounding number coming from a guard. He was named 2nd Team All-Area by the Sun Sentinel. Houck is also a great student with a 3.6 GPA. Look for him to have a big senior year with transfer Conner Weston Conner Weston 6'7" | SF Jupiter | 2022 State FL in the fold. Check out some of his highlights by clicking here.
Kareem Barnett Kareem Barnett 6'2" | CG Hallandale Highschool | 2022 State FL – Mater Lakes Academy (PH. 87)
Barnett is one of the best pure athletes in South Florida. The 6-foot-4 guard/wing averaged 11.1 points and 2.8 rebounds on 43 percent shooting from the field. Barnett is very difficult to stop in motion and plays well above the rim. If you don’t put a body on him, you will look foolish. Against Miami Norland, Barnett scored 26 points on 11-of-22 shooting. In addition, Barnett combined for 35 points on 14-of-22 from the floor in two outings against Mater Academy Charter. Those two programs were arguably the best across Miami-Dade County. He has a world of talent the more he plays in control and improves as a shooter.
Rickey Ballard Rickey Ballard 6'6" | CG Westminster | 2022 State FL – Westminster Academy (PH. 51)
Ballard should benefit from his move to Westminster Academy. The former Sagemont prospect averaged 18 points per game last season. He joins a Lions rotation with 2023 Jaylen Carey Jaylen Carey 6'8" | PF Westminster Academy | 2023 State #129 Nation FL and 2022 3-star prospect Aidan Abell Aidan Abell 6'6" | SG Westminster Academy | 2022 State FL . Ballard should bring instant versatility into the lineup due to his quickness and 6-foot-6 frame. Therefore, you can rely on him to defend multiple positions and be a presence around the glass. He also led Sagemont in rebounds thanks to his athleticism. I think you will see him excel in transition thanks to his motor and natural stride. Ballard was one of the better transfer pickups in South Florida. He has received interest from various D-1 programs. Check out his junior season highlights by clicking here.
For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information…please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.