Preseason Players to Watch: South Florida

Ja-leah Williams 5’9 2021 (Ely) - Williams is flat-out a game-changer, the kind of leader who uplifts those around her. When she’s pushing the tempo and putting pressure on the defense, she is one of the state’s best guards. She is great at drawing two on her drives and when she does, have your hands ready. She will pick up 94feet and make life hard for her matchup. She is a capable three-point shooter, and what I like most is her craftiness around the rim, she will get by anyone she wants, defenders certainly have their work cut out with the Ely product in font of them. [player_tooltip player_id="91498" first="Zaida" last="Gonzalez"] 5’8 2021 (Palm Beach Lakes) - Offensively, Gonzalez is one of the more skilled players I’ve covered, it was no surprise the rising senior led Palm Beach Lakes to a state final 4. Her confidence stood out to me on film, when she makes a play, she’s going to spectators and the opposition know. She can finish through contact in the lane and will attack with either hand. She can pull up in transition and hit a three, or make the right play for a teammate. Gonzalez is a very active defender, her game is complete, and I think she will be a steal if she lands at a mid-major. [player_tooltip player_id="146971" first="Daniella" last="Aronsky"] 5’8 2021 (American Heritage) - Aronsky is a three-time state champion for a reason. She is the kind of player who just gets it, her IQ is what separates her, that along with her ability to make quick decisions impressed me. She can handle pressure, is great at making reads in pick and roll, and will knock down spot-up shots with ease. She plays scrappy defensively and has a great understanding of rotations. Her activity when defending and the ability to dictate ball handlers is what I like most, Aronsky can change a game on both ends of the floor. The rising senior will look to continue her dominance in leading the Patriots to a four-peat this season. [player_tooltip player_id="91529" first="Alana" last="Sharpe"] 6’0 2021 (Western) - Sharpe knows how to use her body to create space and do her work in the paint. At 6’0 with the way she rebounds and finishes, she is a potential double-double threat every night. She does a great job of securing the ball in traffic after a block or rebound. Sharpe is the type of player who knows what she does best and doesn’t play out of character. A dependable post presence, she has a lot to do with the Wildcats’ success during her career. Chyna Mattair 5’7 2021 (Dillard) - Mattair can score the ball from all three levels. She has a good touch when getting in the lane, her jumper is something opposing teams have to respect, and it comes with range. The Saint Leo commit can attack off the bounce with either hand, she holds her form well on her follow-through and my sources weren’t wrong in describing her as shifty. Personally, I like her demeanor on the court, Mattair’s game exuberates confidence. She led Dillard to a Big 8, and a State Championship, earning Second-Team All Broward honors. I always love to see when shooters tee one up, and the entire bench puts three fingers in the air before the ball is released, this is the case with Mattair, and rightfully so. Her size is appealing at the PG spot, Mattair will thrive at the D2 level. [player_tooltip player_id="91566" first="Joey" last="Delancy"] 5’8 2022 (Nova) - Her handle is smooth and she can finish through contact with either hand. If you don’t stop her at half court Delancy will have a field day at the cup. She has the floater, and can euro step and be crafty about her finishes. Delancy can play the 1 or the 2, she will get in the lane draw defenders, and also find an open teammate. Her spot-up jumper is money. She plays with a set of twins who go by the last name Wyche, with those two and [player_tooltip player_id="91557" first="Sydney" last="Shaw"] that is an outstanding core of talent. From what I saw it’s the type of situation where they can all average 20-plus a night, but they sacrifice to be able to coexist, something that will give her an advantage at the college level being able to play with other great talents. What I liked most is that Delancy doesn’t force the issue, she lets the game come while always looking to make a play. Delancy is an elite scorer, in every sense of the word. She made me a fan the first day I saw her.