Seven More 2022 Players To Watch

<strong>Seven More 2022 Players To Watch</strong> By Michael Wholey 8/20/21 11:00 AM EST With the 2021 travel season concluded and the 2021-22 school year started, the class of 2022 has been busy.  Many have taken the opportunity to visit college campuses, participate in college elite camps, and played a number of games on the travel ball circuit.  Here are seven players in the class of 2022 that college coaches should be watching. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91560" first="Paris" last="Gaines"]</strong> (Jones High School / Hoop Dreams) 6’1 Forward Pickett jumped onto the stage early as a young 8^th grader and Freshman, projecting as one of the state’s top post players.  Gaines showcased her ability to score with her back to the basket and finish with either hand.  She has dropped off the map as of late, transferring from West Orange to Jones and not playing travel ball this past summer and most of last summer.  She averaged close to a double-double as a Junior for Jones (9.2 PPG and 9.6 RPG).  Establishing herself as one of the state’s top prospects as an extremely mobile and athletic post player, she is flying under the radar and could be one of the state’s hidden gems. &nbsp; <strong><img class=" wp-image-316407 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/ODcJeVKi_400x400-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="257" height="257" />[player_tooltip player_id="154840" first="Etaria" last="Gibbons"]</strong> (Northeast HS / Miami Suns) 6’1 Forward Gibbons is a 6’1 athletic forward. She is a workhorse who controls the pain as a shot blocker, rebounder, and interior presence. Finishes well at the rim with both the left and right hand. Her offensive game is a bit unpolished at this point but her potential is through the roof and with her length, athleticism, strong work ethic, and energy she is a very intriguing prospect.  She got injured on the back end of the 2020-21 high school season and missed all of the 2021 trael season.  Having been selected as a first time all county player, Gibbons is flying under the radar and could also be a hidden gem for the right college program. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="219952" first="Amber" last="Mateo"]</strong> (Somerset Silver Palms / Miami Suns) 5’5 Guard Mateo is a strong, compact, shooting guard who has deep, deep 3-point range! She has the ability to put to the floor advancing it in transition, making a move to go by her defender, shoot a pull up or get all the way the basket.  But her best attribute is catch and shoot 3 directly off the pass. She is one of the state’s top 3-point shooters because she gets her feet set quick, has a strong lower base using her legs for power, shoots on balance, with excellent shooting form and a quick release.  She had a solid summer with the Miami Suns putting her shooting ability on display in Chicago and Louisiana.  Check out some of her highlights in the video below. https://youtu.be/uIFkRvylilw &nbsp; <strong>Bre Gustave</strong> (St. Thomas Aquinas / FGB) 5’7 Guard Gustave is a strong, athletic combo guard with good frame and a high basketball IQ.  She was a big part of St. Thomas Aquinas state championship run and had a solid summer with FGB.  She does a good job of using her frame, taking contact while driving and at rim vs defenders.  Her strong build allows her to finish at the rim and absorb contact with defenders bouncing off of her instead of pushing her off balance.  She has decent ball handling skills and when she is not able to get to the rim, she has displayed her ability to pull up and knock it down from mid-range. &nbsp; <strong><img class=" wp-image-208656 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/50-Sierra-Godbolt.jpg" alt="" width="243" height="162" />[player_tooltip player_id="91596" first="Sierra" last="Godbolt"]</strong> (Lake Highland Prep / CFE) 5’8 Guard Godbolt is an elite scorer who has an explosive first step, can blow by her defender, and slashes to the rim, attacking the basket fearlessly.  She is very aggressive and has a scorer’s mentality.  She tore her ACL at the start of 2020-21 season and missed Lake Highland Prep’s state championship run and national ranking. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91563" first="Mya" last="Kone"]</strong> (Blanche Ely / Team Knight) 5’11 Wing Kone was a prospect that jumped onto the national radar early as a young 8^th and 9^th grader.  The long, lanky, lefty wing/forward showcased athleticism and length very unique to her skillset.  With her athleticism being the main attraction, she has battled the injury bug, missing court time and playing not at 100%.  This July, many coaches were able to see the Kone of old, playing at full strength with Team Knight on the Adidas circuit for the first time in 2 years.  If healthy, Kone is a big-time player with a high upside and athleticism that is off the charts! &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91597" first="Paige" last="McDonald"]</strong> (Cocoa HS / Miami Suns) 5’11 Wing McDonald is a versatile player who can play inside and out.  She is capable of attacking from the wing or high post and can hit the three confidently. She runs the floor very well and is very active defensively blocking shots and letting everyone know about it. She does a very good job of securing rebounds. Long, lanky athletic wing / forward.  She is a wing player who also ahs spent time playing the 4 and the 5 but is at her best on the perimeter, using her athleticism and length. Check out some of her most recent highlights below. https://youtu.be/c_MIt4mAeKU &nbsp; We will look to continue to cover all across the state of Florida.  Our audience supplies us with some of our best information.  Keep us updated on Florida news be emailing me at <a href="mailto:WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com">WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com</a> or DM’ing me through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;