Young Talent on Display at UT Team Camp

The University of Tampa Team Camp provided an excellent opportunity to get an early look at some of Florida's up-and-coming talent in a high school team setting. Hosted on one of the most beautiful Division II campuses in the country, right in the heart of downtown Tampa, the event brought together teams from across the state with strong representation from the Tampa Bay and Jacksonville areas along with several other programs from around the state. Throughout the day, a number of young prospects caught my attention, including some players I was seeing for the first time and others I had previously seen in limited settings. While many are still early in their development, the talent, upside, and flashes of potential on display made this a worthwhile event to identify some names that could become much more familiar in the years ahead. Here are a few of those young hoopers who have showed promise early in their careers:    Audra continues to show why she possesses one of the highest ceilings in Florida's 2029 class. Her combination of size, length, and skill creates serious matchup problems. She does a great job getting downhill and is comfortable finishing with either hand around the rim, while also drawing contact and earning trips to the charity stripe. Her scoring versatility stood out throughout the day as she knocked down mid-range jumpers, stretched the floor with her range, and showcased impressive footwork on a spin move into a jumper. Beyond her scoring ability, Audra consistently impacted the game on the glass by using her length to create extra possessions on the offensive end. As she continues to get stronger, mature physically, and refine her game, the long-term upside remains extremely intriguing.     Hayden's impact starts with her length, motor, and willingness to compete. She consistently defended with energy, made things difficult on opponents, and found ways to affect the game. What stood out most was her work on the offensive glass, where she repeatedly kept possessions alive and created extra opportunities for her team through hustle and effort. Those winning plays often go unnoticed, but they can be invaluable for successful programs like Bolles. As she steps into a larger role for one of the most competitive teams in the state, her ability to bring toughness, defensive intensity, and complementary production should become even more important. It'll be exciting to see how her responsibilities expand and how she responds to the increased opportunity moving forward.     Kendall impressed with her poise and playmaking ability at the point. She consistently made strong reads by delivering bounce passes through traffic that led directly to scoring opportunities for her teammates. Defensively, she was active in passing lanes and came away with steals that helped spark transition offense. What stood out most was her ability to get to two feet in the paint and play under control, whether it was finishing at the rim, converting through contact for multiple and-one opportunities, or knocking down a runner before the defense could react. Her combination of toughness, pace, and decision-making allowed her to impact the game on both ends of the floor and made her one of the more intriguing young guards I watched throughout the day.     Shea's speed and pace stood out immediately as she consistently played fast without sacrificing control or decision-making. Whether pushing the ball in transition or attacking in the half court, she maintained the same burst with the ball in her hands and put pressure on defenses by getting downhill. She knocked down a three-pointer, scored with a runner in the lane, and showed an ability to touch the paint and create opportunities for others. What impressed me most was her feel as a playmaker, making the right pass at the right time without telegraphing her intentions to the defense. That combination of quickness, pace, and decision-making makes her a difficult player to contain and an exciting young guard to continue monitoring.     Naomi consistently found ways to impact the game on both ends of the floor and seemed to make a big play whenever TC needed one. Her instincts stood out defensively, highlighted by a steal where she jumped a passing lane by reading the ball handler's eyes and the action developing away from her assignment. Offensively, her quickness, speed, and explosive first step allowed her to get downhill and create advantages against nearly every defender she faced. Once in the paint, she showcased a variety of finishes, whether it was a runner, playing off two feet, or finishing with either hand around the basket. She also competed at a high level defensively, applying pressure on the ball and even coming up with a few blocks. Her ability to influence the game in so many different ways made her one of the most impactful young prospects I evaluated throughout the day.     Skylar put together a strong showing thanks to her combination of skill, control, and physical tools. She knocked down the three-ball when given space and did a good job advancing the ball with the pass in transition to keep the pace moving. Possessing a strong frame, she was able to play through contact and remain composed when attacking off the dribble. Her change of direction stood out, allowing her to create separation and get downhill or wherever she wanted on the floor. Once she reached the paint, she consistently played under control, getting to two feet and making sound decisions rather than rushing possessions. The blend of size, feel, and offensive versatility makes her an intriguing young prospect to continue tracking in the 2030 class in FL.     Jaiceona may have been one of the youngest players in the gym, but she certainly didn't look out of place with her game. The 2032 prospect showcased an impressive blend of quickness, speed, and ball-handling ability by using changes of pace to keep defenders off balance and create opportunities for herself and her team. Defensively, she made her presence felt by picking up opponents 94 feet and applying relentless pressure by showing the competitiveness and instincts of a lockdown defender. She also shot the ball well from beyond the arc in the game I watched which adds another dimension to her offensive game. It's still very early in her development, but the tools and upside are certainly intriguing. Is she part of the future of Florida basketball? Based on what I saw, she's a young name worth keeping on the radar.

The University of Tampa Team Camp provided an excellent opportunity to get an early look at some of Florida's up-and-coming talent in a high school team setting. Hosted on one of the most beautiful Division II campuses in the country, right in the heart of downtown Tampa, the event brought together teams from across the state with strong representation from the Tampa Bay and Jacksonville areas along with several other programs from around the state. Throughout the day, a number of young prospects caught my attention, including some players I was seeing for the first time and others I had previously seen in limited settings. While many are still early in their development, the talent, upside, and flashes of potential on display made this a worthwhile event to identify some names that could become much more familiar in the years ahead. Here are a few of those young hoopers who have showed promise early in their careers: