The grassroots basketball season has officially passed the midway point, and we are highlighting the rising sophomores to watch in the Sunshine State for the upcoming Live Period. We will nominate 8 (eight) players to watch at the upcoming Florida Association of Basketball Coaches (FABC) showcase this weekend taking place in Gainesville.
6-6 SF Liam Lackaff, Sarasota (FL), Austin Rivers SE Elite 3SSB 15U
The 6-foot-6 rising sophomore wing has embraced himself so far this spring that he has grown two inches since the beginning of the high school season. On the offensive end, he has embraced a downhill attack and is unafraid to absorb contact at the rim. He has also worked on becoming a more confident shooter from mid-range and out on the perimeter. On defense, he has become more versatile, where he can guard positions 1 through 4 using his length and athleticism to his advantage. The two-way player could be a vital impact for the Sailors to carry them to deep postseason runs for years to come.
6-1 CG Zaire Colbert, Victory Rock Prep (FL), JET Academy EYBL 15U
The 6-foot-1 rising sophomore guard, who has made some huge strides in his scoring ability as well as distributing to his teammates in the half-court and transition offense. On defense, he plays with a high motor and plays with great size in the open court, whether it’s applying pressure in the passing lanes or guarding on the ball. As his overall game continues to develop, Colbert could be an emerging name to watch on the national level in the upcoming sophomore class.
6-3 CG Josiah Brooks, Sports Leadership & Management (Miami) (FL), Nightrydas Elite EYBL 16U
The 6-foot-3 rising sophomore wing is one of the most improved scorers not just in the state, but in the country for his class. The lefty sharpshooter can attack downhill, finishing above the rim on both ends, knock down comfortable shots from the mid-range, and be efficient as a playmaker on the offensive end. On defense, he is versatile, where his size and frame allow him to guard multiple positions, and is disciplined, where he can defend at the front of the rim without fouling. He already holds offers from FIU, UCF, and West Florida.
6-9 PF Chudier Diew Yak, North Broward Prep (FL), Florida Rebels EYBL 15U
The 6-foot-9 rising sophomore power forward has a combination of length, fluid athleticism, and versatility. During his freshman season, Yak became more comfortable when it came to moving on the perimeter as well as scoring both off the catch and dribble. On offense, he has great hands and footwork when operating inside the paint, as well as showcasing himself as a three-level scorer. On the defensive end, his length and frame allow him to alter shots around the rim as well as to rebound aggressively, limiting the opposition from getting second-chance scoring opportunities. Yak impacts the game in multiple ways and college coaches are going to want to get to know this prospect over the course of the next three years.
6-6 SF Jake McFarlin, Belen Jesuit (FL), Team Miami PRO16 15U
The 6-foot-6 rising sophomore small forward shows a versatile inside-out game on the offensive end, where he displays great paint control and is unafraid when finishing through contact. He can also step out and knock down shots from the perimeter at a high rate wth confidence. He is a good decision maker when it comes to operating on the offensive end making the right reads from the secondary guard position. On defense, he plays with constant energy whether it’s his ability to apply on ball pressure or being active in the passing lanes. Overall, McFarlin can impact the game on both ends of the floor where his toughness and versatility will open up eyes for college coaches to get a early head start in his recruitment.
6-3 CG Bryce Benton, Edgewater (FL), 1Family PRO16 15U
The 6-foot-3 rising sophomore combo guard makes winning plays and is unselfish when it comes to playing the lead guard position. He keeps the offense flowing, makes strong reads, and runs the floor exceptionally well in transition offense. In the half-court offense, Benton shows great poise and patience, getting his teammates involved as well as forcing the defense into making quick adjustments. Benton is a solid all-around player who could make a ton of noise this summer as he heads into his sophomore season.
6-4 CG Jaxson Smith, Highlands Christian (FL), Nightrydas Elite EYBL 15U
The 6-foot-4 rising sophomore combo guard continues to show promising upside in the upcoming sophomore class. He is an excellent shot maker when it comes to scoring off the catch and dribble where he doesn’t need a lot of time to get off a solid look. He can also make defenders pay with his ability to shoot from the perimeter when given the right amount of space to operate. On the defensive end, he is an ultra-athletic guard who plays with a ton of length and can guard multiple positions. Smith also adds great energy where he stays active in the passing lanes and plays solid perimeter defense. Overall, his consistent motor and ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor could spark a huge uplift into his sophomore season.
6-3 SG Armani Morris, Lakeland (FL), Tre Mann Elite PRO16 15U
The 6-foot-3 rising sophomore shooting guard can turn defense into offense, where he plays with a burst of speed in the open court, using his athleticism and length to his advantage. He is quick to jump the passing lanes as well as guard all 94-feet with his speed and elite footwork when it comes to applying pressure when guarding opposing ball-handlers. On the offensive end, he is a lockdown scorer who can be effective on all three scoring levels, where he has a smooth release, can attack downhill, and has complete body control when it comes to finishing at the front of the rim. With his ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor, Morris could be a player to watch over the course of the next three years.