DAYTONA BEACH, Fla,–The annual NCAA Fall Evaluation weekend has come and gone and so has the so-called “boycott” by the Power Five coaches that represented about as much enthusiasm among its members as the American electorate has for the Donald-Hillary show.  If there’s solidarity in numbers then, yes, you would have to categorize this weekend’s “sit out “as some type of success.  If you define its effectiveness in terms of clarity in message and unified support among complete staffs (not just the opinion of the head coach)…then we might be looking at something considerably less than a memorable benchmark in the annals of protest history.  None the less players were still in the gym playing and plenty of coaches were still wandering the sidelines, including some of the Power Five sisterhood and brethren.

For the 16^th year Roundball Academy offered up their Show and Prove Showcase (Originally the Super Showcase) and plenty of talent was on the rosters for those coaches who saw fit to hit the road and take a look.  Over 250 athletes representing six different states were on hand at Mainland High School and the Vince Carter Athletic Center in Daytona for the two day event.  Some established players were at work honing their skills while quite a few up and comers were adding some additional depth to their resume’.  Throw in a bevy of promising middle schoolers and those recruiters and evaluators putting the time in more than got their monies worth.  (Depending, of course, on how you define that particular equation)

Here are a few snapshots of some of the better performances in Daytona last weekend.

Maria Alvarez – 2019 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Bal Harbour, Florida – Ballskills continue to serve her well…Perimeter shot keeps defenders honest and closing out…Has the ability to make a play in traffic at the last moment…Loves the shovel pass…Still lean in build but much more effective with contact than in the past…Adapts well to playing with a deep backcourt…Just scratching the surface

Ta’Kyla Austin – 2017 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida – Lots of speed and quickness at the point…Penetrates effectively but can go to the pull up on a dime as needed…Physically strong for her size…Great acceleration on the catch

Day’Neshia Banks – 2017 – 6-0 – Forward – Jacksonville, Florida – “Power guard”…Thicker build but strong and aggressive in her attack…Quick, not fast…Aggressive on both ends…Has the tools to match up with small forwards or bigger guards…Makes herself a factor at times on both ends of the floor

Diamond Battles – 2018 – 5-9 – Combo – Winter Haven, Florida – Attacking and penetrating more than ever…Change of speed keeps defenders guessing…Penetrates and reads….Handles contact…Elevates on both pull up and floater…Strong and aggressive on ball defender…Plays focused

Daisha Bradford – 2018 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Mobile, Alabama – Smooth and fluid with the ball…Strong ballhandling and sharp passing skills…Impressive acceleration off her hesitation move…Gives defenders little time to recover…Works well in traffic both on the break and off the drive

Diamond Celestine – 2017 – 5-8 – Guard – Miami, Florida – Plenty of speed…Always on the attack…Pushing at opportunity…Creates off the dribble…Strong change of direction…Solid build

Rennia Davis – 2017 – 6-2 – Wing / Forward – Jacksonville, Florida – Coming off a strong summer…Had moments over the weekend…Looking to create more off the dribble…Shot had its ups and down but has been more consistent recently…Elevates in traffic and can finish among the bigs…Coming off her moves with much more authority than in the past…Settles at times for jumpers she can get later in the possession…Could be a consistent impact defender in any scheme

Ayana Emmanuel – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Pompano Beach, Florida – Can play both the point and off guard…Creates with the ball in her hands…Strong crossover move to a pull up…Floater with a soft touch…Uses both a change of speed and direction in half and full court attack…Dropped the spot up looks several times…Only going to get better

Nadiria Evans – 2017 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Gainesville, Florida – Athletic with lots of speed…Slight, wiry build…Strong crossover move…Active with and without the ball…Looks young but plays older…Great acceleration on the catch and off the change of speed…Shot needs some attention for consistency

Laney Fox – 2019 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Parkland, Florida – Good size at the point…Sees the floor in the halfcourt and on the break…Solid ballhandling and passing skills…Knows what she’s looking for…Developing quickness will be instrumental for her on both ends

Zakiyah Franklin – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – Lakeland, Florida – Lefty…Athletic guard…Lots of quickness…Strong hesitation move…Pull up is in place…Assertive on ball defender…Evolving game

Knisha Godfrey – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Riverview, Florida – Ohio transplant…Strong, athletic guard…Impressive size and build for age…Strong ballhandling and passing skills…Penetrates and creates for herself and teammates…Lots of confidence for age…Get in line

Dashaun Jackson – 2017 – 5-11 – Wing  – Miramar, Florida – Plays with lots of effort…Sound ballhandling skills…Strong instinctual passer…Reads the floor…Can create some…Versatile enough to post up at times…Makes plays

Emerielle James – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – Orlando, Florida – Athletic with a solid build for age…Good length in the backcourt…Ballhandling is strong…Crossover serves her well…Creates shots and passes…Anticipates defensively

Dominique Jeffery – 2017 – 5-11 – Forward – Tallahassee, Florida – Somewhat undersized but ultra-productive…Deceivingly quick and aggressive with the ball…Can work around the rim or from the high post…Uses her body on both ends…Initiates contact to her advantage…Better to play with than against

Emma Krause – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – Plantation, Florida – Nice size and build…Has been coached…Solid skills and an understanding of how to use them…Deceiving first step…Some ballhandling for size and a willingness to use it…Still a little mechanical but had some smooth penetration at times

Nydia Lampkin – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – Palm Bay, Florida – Long and lean…Agile with good mobility on both ends…Gets out and runs the floor…Works hard to get the ball in the paint…Reads well on the catch…Connected on some mid-range jumpers…Strength??

Channise Lewis – 2017 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Miami Gardens, Florida – Utilizing more speed in her attack even in the halfcourt…Crossover gets her the step back and also leaves defenders lunging…Change of speed in transition creates numbers scenarios…Interior passing is quick and on the money… Drifts at times on her jumper…Quick hands on defense

Kelsey Marshall – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Davie, Florida – Continues to impress with a physical game in the backcourt…Pushes it in transition keeping defenders on their heels…Makes plays at full speed…Hesitation gets defenders out of their stance…Delivers the ball inside with sharp, instinctual passing…Perimeter shot is still off the shoulder to a degree but drops at times…Strong and assertive on ball defender…Stands up at times on the weakside of the floor

Nabaweeyah McGill – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – Tampa, Florida – Solid and strong…Great size at her age…Will continue to grow…Works hard…Has some post moves already…Gets on the boards…Watch closely

Jada Perry -2017 – 6-1 – Forward – Leesburg, Florida – Fluid and long…Lean build but still a forward in most books…Moves through traffic without the ball effectively…Reads defenders on the catch…Good wingspan helps both in passing and around the rim…Gets on the glass at both ends…Has the agility to be a real factor defensively

Nissa Sam-Grant – 2018 – 6-4 – Post – Marietta, Georgia – Lots of size with a solid frame…Works for position…Still mechanical at times but has possibilities…Jump hook is there…Had her moments on the boards…Can’t do enough repetitions on her post moves

Tyia Singleton – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward / Post – Winter Haven, Florida – Size…Frame…Athleticism…All the physical tools are there…Can be quick and active working in the paint…Strong effort on the offensive glass…Ability is there to be a factor in transition…Length gives her versatility defensively…Had moments…Needs consistency of intensity to become the impact player she can be

Toi Smith – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard / Wing – St. Petersburg, Florida – Physically strong and aggressive in the backcourt…Has the versatility to create multiple ways…Attacks off the dribble and the cut…Has some speed with the ball…Can handle it in transition…Effective among the bigs…Physical defender…Some rough edges but lots of tools

Taylor Smith-Williams – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Daytona Beach, Florida – Lean, athletic guard with plenty of length…Lots of speed with the ball in her hands…Fluid with and without…Form is there from the perimeter…Can get to the rim but has a floater as well…Gets out in the lanes…Going to fill out

Lapresha Stanley – 2017 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Cocoa, Florida – Lots of speed and quickness with the ball…Pushes it on makes, misses and turnovers…Works on her defenders on the catch…First step is ultra-quick and helps her create off the dribble…Change of speed is used efficiently on the break and in the halfcourt…Good release requires a strong closeout from defenders…Assertive on ball with quick hands defensively

Melijah Sullivan – 2018 – 5-10 – Wing – Bartow, Florida – Athletic guard…Impressive vertical…Physically strong…Quick and effective first step…Twists on her shot at times…Works on defense but footspeed has to evolve

Tatiana Thompson – 2017 – 6-0 – Forward – Winter Haven, Florida – Solid forward…Workhorse…Can play physical inside or step out…Footspeed is deceiving…Has a power game…Ballhandling is enough to allow her one and two dribble drives…Form is there but touch needs consistency to keep defenders honest

Destiny Thomas – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward / Post – Atlanta, Georgia – Has some physical tools…Playing aggressive and not backing down from contact…Had some moments on both ends of the floor…Confidence is evolving

Jamiya Turner – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Orlando, Florida – Long and athletic in the backcourt…Wiry build…Individual skills are sharp and effective…Hesitation to a step back is a challenge to defend…Perimeter shot is sound but touch needs consistency and repetitions…Active and very aggressive on the defensive end…Loads of potential

Malaina White – 2018 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Pensacola, Florida – Strong and attacking point guard…Impressive individual skills allow her to create both shots and passes…Efficient both in transition or in a halfcourt set……Lots of speed with the ball in her hands…Sees the floor on the break…Pull up is there as well as a strong floater …Touch is better on quicker looks than spotted up…Needs to be more active without the ball

FLORIDA FUTURES

Far be it for us to start the circus that comes with early evaluation and recruiting attention.  In that light just rest assured that there were plenty of promising young prospects in the gym that you’ll be hearing from in the years to come.  We don’t mind dropping a name or posting an image or two but there’s plenty of time for everyone to get bent out of shape and lose their concept of reality before these young players hit their stride.  NO player is ever a “lock” regardless of what potential they show at an early age.  Above are images and names of just three to keep an eye on..nothing more.  Common sense says to let time and Mother Nature do her thing and see where things go.  It will be worth the wait.