Florida Freshman Showcase Preview: Young Playmakers

As the Freshman Showcase gets ready to tip off, this freshman class brings some serious talent to the floor. This group features shooters, attackers, tough defenders, rebounders, and defensive stoppers—all players who can impact the game in different ways. Simply put, these young prospects make plays. They can set the tone, change the momentum, and make their presence felt throughout the event. Whether it comes from scoring the basketball, creating opportunities, defending, or making the hustle plays, they find ways to impact the game. In this article, we take a look at some of the young playmakers who will be looking to make a splash at the Freshman Showcase.      [player_tooltip player_id='1327031' first='Zoe' last='Bone'] was a recent standout in Jacksonville, where she put on a point guard show that left plenty of people talking. Bone has been impressive throughout the year with her ability to score the basketball while also getting her teammates involved. She can handle the ball, attack off the dribble, and get to the rim, but it is her command of the point guard position that continues to stand out. Bone was already a starting point guard as an eighth grader, and that experience shows in her poise and confidence on the floor. She plays under control, handles pressure well, and is not fazed by the responsibility that comes with running a team. Bone is a young floor general with the ability to make plays as both a scorer and facilitator. The point guard is a playmaker.     [player_tooltip player_id='1851765' first='Olivia' last='Beyer'] is another young playmaker who stood out over the summer with her basketball IQ, court awareness, and anticipation on the floor. Beyer plays with poise and has a knack for seeing plays develop and making the right basketball decision. Her offensive game is still developing, but she does not have to score the basketball to make an impact. She understands where to be, reads situations well, and consistently looks to make the correct play. That feel for the game is what stands out most about Beyer and makes her an intriguing young playmaker.     [player_tooltip player_id='1136118' first='Reah' last='Saunders'] is one of the top players in the 2029 class, and her playmaking ability is next level. Saunders is fast and shifty with the ball and has the ability to create offense from multiple areas of the floor. She can get to the rim, score in the midrange, and knock down shots from the perimeter. Saunders is equally capable of making an impact defensively, where she pressures the ball and uses her quickness to disrupt opposing guards. Her appeal as a prospect is undeniable because she consistently makes plays on both ends of the floor. Whether she is creating offense, scoring the basketball, or applying defensive pressure, Saunders finds ways to impact the game.     [player_tooltip player_id='1871607' first='Leah' last='Brooks'] is coming into her own as an offensive player, but her ability to impact the game in other areas is one of her biggest strengths. Brooks rebounds the ball well and does a good job of initiating the break with her outlet passes, allowing her team to quickly transition from defense to offense. Defensively, she brings versatility and has shown the ability to step outside and defend on the perimeter. Offensively, Brooks can score on the blocks and has shown a good touch around the basket. As her offensive game continues to develop, Brooks already has several ways to make plays and leave her mark on a game.     CiCi Hsieh turned heads with her ability to shoot the rock, standing out at the FABC Showcase with her perimeter shooting. Hsieh shot the three-ball well and showed that she could extend her game beyond the perimeter by putting the ball on the floor and driving to the rim. She plays with a high basketball IQ and understands how to take what the defense gives her. Hsieh's combination of shooting, decision-making, and ability to attack makes her another young playmaker to watch.     [player_tooltip player_id='1862197' first='Delaysia' last='Morris'] played well at the PGH tournament this year and stood out as a solid player on both sides of the floor. What separated Morris was her athleticism, length, and ability to defend on the ball and in the passing lanes. She was a solid defender who did a lot of the little things that impacted the game when we last saw her. Morris can battle in the middle, step outside and defend on the perimeter, and use her length to create problems for opposing players. Her defensive versatility gives her a chance to impact the game in multiple areas of the floor. Morris also played well in transition, spaced the floor effectively, and made quality passes to her teammates. Her ability to contribute in so many different ways makes her an intriguing young playmaker.

As the Freshman Showcase gets ready to tip off, this freshman class brings some serious talent to the floor. This group features shooters, attackers, tough defenders, rebounders, and defensive stoppers—all players who can impact the game in different ways. Simply put, these young prospects make plays. They can set the tone, change the momentum, and make their presence felt throughout the event. Whether it comes from scoring the basketball, creating opportunities, defending, or making the hustle plays, they find ways to impact the game. In this article, we take a look at some of the young playmakers who will be looking to make a splash at the Freshman Showcase.