Breakout Players At Balling On The Beach: Class of 2025 PGs
Deerfield Beach, Fla. — The list of outstanding backcourt performers from the 2021 Balling On The Beach tournament continues to grow as we take aim at the event’s top breakout candidates at the point guard position. This group of prospects…
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Continue ReadingDeerfield Beach, Fla. — The list of outstanding backcourt performers from the 2021 Balling On The Beach tournament continues to grow as we take aim at the event’s top breakout candidates at the point guard position. This group of prospects has yet to see their names appear on Prep Hoops Next to date but showed that they have what it takes to make an immediate impact on the high school scene in the coming months…
Kamari Cooke | Charlotte, NC | Class of 2025
Grind Academy (NC) has carved out a reputation for themselves in youth hoops during the last several years by producing tough-nosed guards that can compete with almost anyone on the circuit. The club’s persona is best embodied by director and head coach/trainer, Ed Cooke, and his son Kamari Cooke is a chip off the old block. The 5-foot-10 guard is an energy-giver and set the tone defensively with his intensity and relentless pressure throughout the 2021 Balling On The Beach tournament. A pair of excellent wins versus Mac Irvin Fire (IL) and Team Jacko (PA) highlighted the squad’s weekend before falling to eventual champions, Nightrydas Elite (FL).
Jacob Daniels | St. Petersburg, FL | Class of 2025
One of my favorite aspects about the Balling On The Beach event is that it provides a stage for both national and local talents to be seen simultaneously. Enter 5-foot-9 dynamo Jacob Daniels of GrindHouse Fivestar (FL), an in-state prospect who played his way into the tournament’s top performers conversation. After winning Pool O with two double-digit victories the program secured their signature win of the weekend over Mac Irvin Fire (IL) in the opening round of the eighth-grade gold bracket. Daniels was electric against the Chicago-based power, registering 23 points, and using his quickness to create chaos for opponents at both ends.
Malcolm Ford, Jr. | Staten Island, NY | Class of 2025
A strong and compact lead guard, Ford was a standout for Black Ops (NY) during the 2021 Balling On The Beach tournament, despite the team’s overall performance not being up to their typical standards. Offensively, the 5-foot-8 fireball navigated past defenders off the bounce, created plays in the lane, and flashed a variety of finishing skills in the paint. Ford was able to push the tempo in transition with ample end-to-end speed and timely passing, while also demonstrating promise with his shooting touch, and exhibiting a fearless mentality on the defensive side of the court. His lack of size may be a knock but Ford’s intangibles are top-notch.
Sian Morris | Wesley Chapel, FL | Class of 2025
A pair of XPC Elite (FL) teammates conclude my breakout performers list at the point guard position from the 2021 Balling On The Beach event’s eighth-grade division. For his part in helping lead the Sunshine State squad to a gold bracket semifinal appearance and 5-1 weekend record, the 5-foot-10 floor general expertly blended scoring and playmaking opportunities throughout the tournament, none more obvious than his double-double performance in a quarterfinal victory against the Memphis Bulldogs (TN). Morris is one of the better Class of 2025 backcourt prospects that I’ve evaluated from the greater Tampa, Florida area this year.
Lyrique Sartin | Tampa, FL | Class of 2025
While his aforementioned teammate provided a ‘pop’ of playmaking for XPC Elite (FL) during the 2021 Balling On The Beach tournament, Sartin gave his squad the scoring punch that they needed to secure a stellar 5-1 record at the event. The 5-foot-9 guard posted a pair of 20+ point performances and scored in double figures in all six of his team’s games. Both fast and quick, Sartin was extremely effective at turning defense into offense, continually forcing turnovers that led to a number of easy baskets. The chemistry that he and Morris have is obvious and the duo is also expected to run together at Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate (FL) High School this fall.
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