Talent on the Circuit to watch: Spring Studs

From Division 1 prospects to role players coming into their own, these athletes have turned some heads this spring. [player_tooltip player_id="91575" first="Maddie" last="Millar"] 5’9 2022 Bishop Kenny A crafty sniper, who has been lighting up the AAU scene this spring. I watched her knock one down off of a flare screen that made me a fan. Not only does she shoot it with the best the state has to offer, Millar understands how to score efficiently. It’s one thing to have shot-making ability, but another to have calculated footwork, run defenders off screens, be able to shoot at a high clip within sets that are run for you. Millar is the best I have covered when it comes to shooting after moving without the ball. If I’m coaching against her I just all out deny, because the slightest bit of daylight is all the rising senior needs. With her teammates and fellow All-First Coast selections [player_tooltip player_id="91482" first="Jasmyne" last="Roberts"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91547" first="Jamia" last="Nesmith"] headed to the next level, the Crusaders will lean heavily on Millar, who I project is on the horizon of a statement year. [player_tooltip player_id="243947" first="Tyra" last="Kennedy"] 5’6 2023 Hillsborough A legitimate 3-level scorer, Kennedy has one of the best pull-up jumpers I’ve seen at the high school level. She will rock defenders off balance with hesitations using her speed and tight handle to get into the paint. She does a great job of using the jump stop to get her feet set and raise up for two. I always like seeing when players shoot the mid-range, Kennedy’s ability to stop on a dime impressed me as well. The rising junior is such a threat because she will hurt you from deep with high arching 3’s, and she will put the ball on the floor and create for herself and others. Defensively she is more than willing, I watched her block shots and make life hard for ball handlers. Kennedy finished amongst the state leaders in steals as a Sophomore. In a gym full of some of the best talent South Florida has to offer she stood out to me, great pickup for the Suns. [player_tooltip player_id="91589" first="Ajalon" last="Gillard"] 5’9 2022 West Oaks [caption id="attachment_279748" align="alignleft" width="154"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-279748" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1371-154x300.jpg" alt="" width="154" height="300" /> Photo: Twitter via @ajalongillard[/caption] I saw Gillard in a camp last fall, and she has continued to show and prove her skill set which made me a fan. Gillard will be a great wing addition for the program that lands her, which next season will be West Oaks, alongside mid-range assassin [player_tooltip player_id="91583" first="Milahnie" last="Perry"], who will make the move from Carrollwood Day. Perry and Gillard are coaches kids, who come from basketball backgrounds, bringing experience and talent that can change a program. Not only does Gillard pose such a threat offensively, but her frame and length mixed with how active she plays when guarding the ball are also things college coaches will love. The best range I’ve seen in all my coverage, I wouldn’t be surprised if high majors come knocking. [player_tooltip player_id="248677" first="Anilys" last="Rolon"] 5’8 2025 West Oaks Talk about some of the most intriguing upcoming talents on the Florida high school scene, the cat will soon be out of the bag on Rolon. Handle, catch and shoot, finishing ability, and at 5’8 she defends. I always like when players have the ability to make a play on the defensive end, and then initiate the break. Her ability to hit the 3 off the bounce impressed me the most, to have that ability in the 8th grade is special. From what I saw she is an all-around-playmaker and her work ethic is there, very high ceiling. Adaya Montalvo 5’7 2025 Slam A young stock riser working on developing a name for herself, Montalvo is opening some eyes within a program that is responsible for a lot of next-level talent. She has a good floater in the lane, and a handle to be able to navigate when making decisions and can finish with her left hand around the rim. I watched make a spin move into a runner for a bucket, setting it up beautifully with a deceptive change of pace. A capable shooter, the incoming Freshman seems to be working on developing her 3 ball off the bounce as well. As an eighth-grader she had an impact and is a part of a young, talented core for Slam, with her and Branton, the future looks bright. Julianne Duarte 5’5 2022 Mater Lakes An active on-ball defender with good enough anticipation to make life hard for an opposing guard. While she is a capable spot-up shooter with a quick confident stroke, the rising senior is most dangerous from the mid-range area. She has a nice two-foot pull-up jumper that stood out to me and will use the glass around the rim, which speaks to her understanding of scoring angles. Duarte has a motor that coaches will appreciate because it’s never an effort issue with her. If she can channel her energy to play without fouling, and continue to develop the ability to create for herself, the Lady Bears guard can help a program at the next level. Deyranis Colon 5’5 2022 Mater Lakes Colon has an energy about her game that is contagious. A downhill player who explodes well, she has the handle and speed to put a bit of pressure on defenses on her drives. She has a strong build, and can finish through contact when attacking the basket, I watched a couple of nice finishes in traffic that I was impressed by. She understands the concept of drawing the defense and kicking it out to open shooters, or teammates filling the lanes. A big spring/summer is ahead for her because she is in a travel program forcing her to expand her game. Colon is first-team All-Hustle.