The Quarantine Report 3: South Florida Prospects

The quarantine report is back, analyzing some talent I enjoyed watching in South Florida over the past few months. Interested to watch their development moving forward. [player_tooltip player_id="154841" first="Jada" last="Green"] 6’0 2022 (St. Thomas Aquinas) Green is the kind of player who never watches paint dry. She is active, aggressive, and looking to make a play. A great nose for the ball and the ability to finish around the rim off the dribble makes her a threat every time down the floor. She understands the concept of high lows, which college coaches will like. With the way she can pass, and likes short jumpers off the catch, Green is a nightmare for opponents when she flashes high post. What I like most about her is her motor, she is always working even when she is off the ball. With her size and IQ, college basketball for her is only a matter of what program lands her, the junior has a lot of solid basketball to come. Paris Knowles 5’5 2021 (Hollywood Hills) Knowles is effective because she understands change of pace, and she has the handle and finishing ability to go along with it. She will get into the lane and has a very good change of direction. My favorite thing is how crafty she is about her finishes. The senior gets into the paint very well, she is at her best when putting pressure on the defense with strong drives to the rim, and she can facilitate. Knowles might have the best layup package I’ve seen in South Florida. [player_tooltip player_id="91501" first="Mya" last="Lewis"] 5’6 2021 (Hollywood Hills) Lewis isn’t a player who is depending on speed or athleticism, she just knows how to score. A confident stroke, she can really space the floor for a team with her shooting ability. I really liked how quick her release is, the smallest window of space and she will let one fly. The senior is more than just a three-point shooter, she can also do damage from 15 feet with floaters and mid-range jumpers. It came as no surprise Knowles was an All-County selection, she is a solid complementary player. Kiara Cruz 5’3 2021 (Miami High) Cruz is a quick lefty who does everything you would want from the Point Guard spot. A scrappy defender, I really enjoyed the way she will push the ball in transition and throw a nice dime after forcing a turnover. Cruz understands defensive rotations, she will put her chest in front of opposing players and take a charge, at her size she isn’t afraid of contact. Offensively, Cruz has a dangerous catch and shoot jumper. Once she lines it up and locks in, I like her spot up three-ball versus any guard in the state. Her shooting is what gives her the ability to be a combo guard and play off the ball. Her ability to hurt a team from deep is fun to watch. Cruz has an IQ that had to have been a big part of a state title run a season ago for Miami High. Cassidy Lowe 5’10 2021 (Boca Raton) Lowe has great size for a wing player, her long strides and ability to execute defensive rotations make her a college prospect. She can blow by defenders with a quick first step and finishes with either hand. When she is playing active defensively, jumping to the ball, and using her wingspan in passing lanes, she can cause real problems for her matchups. She plays disciplined when protecting the paint, and has good timing on her blocks. I liked the way she finishes around the rim with her left hand, she is coming off averaging just under 10 a night. Lowe has a nice rip through move to get to the basket and is capable of short jumpers on the catch. [player_tooltip player_id="91535" first="Kayla" last="DeHerrera"] 5’4 2021 (St. Andrews) I don’t give out comparisons too often, but the way she orchestrates the offense is also a threat to score at all times and will break you down off the bounce reminds me a lot of Sue Bird. DeHerrera has a very good change of pace, using hesitations to freeze and blow by defenders. Time and time again I watched her knife through defenses and show the ability to shoot the pull up or drop a dime. My favorite thing is when teams send a double and she just finds an open teammate with ease. The senior can also play off the ball and is a willing defender. With her IQ and how well handles the ball, I’m a [player_tooltip player_id="91535" first="Kayla" last="DeHerrera"] believer, regardless of a minor setback.