Prospect Spotlight: Michael Vicente (2019)
After a junior season spent on one of the state’s very best teams, Waukee 6-foot-4 wing Michael Vicente will have his senior season to breakout, and try and lead the Warriors back to state.
With good size and better length, Vicente says his plan for the offseason is to work on other aspects of his game. Areas that his rangy frame will help emphasize.
“My strengths are my shooting, 3-point shooting has always been one of my strongest points. This year, I’m looking to expand and use my length more, because I have a much longer wingspan than a guy my size should have; so I’m looking to utilize that both on offense and defense.
With a 6’7 wingspan, Vicente is a guy that could make things very difficult for teams on the defensive end.
“Getting to the rim more and finishing, and recording more blocks are also things I’ll be working to improve this offseason.”
Although his junior season didn’t go as well as he wanted to individually, Vicente stayed the course and was able to help his team in other ways, while learning from the seniors ahead of him.
“It was a little underwhelming for me. I started coming off the bench early and I wasn’t making many shots, and that hurt me because that’s always what I’ve done,” said Vicente.
“I just had to stick with it and keep pushing the guys that are above me to get as far as we did.”
Next season, he should see his role increase dramatically.
“It’ll be fun to try and step into the shoes of some of the seniors that graduated, and see what kind of spot I can fill for this next year,” said Vicente.
But first, he’ll have a 17U offseason playing with Pure Prep 17U, alongside one of the nation’s best 2020 prospects, Oskaloosa’s Xavier Foster.
“I’m excited to go travel around with those guys. Honestly, I’m just looking for looks right now. I’m just trying to get my name out there a little bit,” said Vicente, who says his recruitment’s been slow so far.
“It’ll be good to play with Xavier (Foster), that’ll help me get some looks; playing with guys like that always helps,” said Vicente. “And he’s always a fun one to play with.”
Michael Vicente is ranked by Prep Hoops as a top 120 prospect in his class.