7 Miami Suns Players In the Class of 2024 That Stood Out in April

<strong>Seven Miami Suns Players In the Class of 2024 That Stood Out in April</strong> By Michael Wholey 5/14/22 11:00 AM EST <em>We have got a chance to see the Miami Suns at the Sunshine State Showdown and the Boo Williams Invitational Round 1 of the EYBL circuit.  Here are seven Miami Suns players in the class of 2024 that have stood out in April.  </em> &nbsp; <strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-416291 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/278343936_2035468766634947_2243673836679278300_n-240x300.jpeg" alt="" width="240" height="300" /></strong> &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="217667" first="Kayla" last="Nelms"] </strong>(Miami Suns Team Fowles) - 6’1” Forward Nelms stood out at both the Sunshine State Showdown and Boo Williams Invitational as one of the top interior players regardless of class.  At Boo, she shot an impressive 56% from 3, including a game-high 23 points on 8/11 shooting in Team Fowles opening victory against Michigan Crossover.  She has a strong inside-out game with the ability to both use her size and soft touch on deep post seals while also stretching the floor and comfortably hitting several pick and pop threes with great footwork, balance and confidence. Her versatility and agility really stand out against top level competition in addition to her soft hands and 3-point shooting ability.  She is a modern day big who can pick and pop for 3 point shot but doesn’t just play on the perimeter, using her body well to seal off defenders and establish deep post position. &nbsp; <strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-331500 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/Eris-Lester-P-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></strong> &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="331745" first="Eris" last="Lester"]</strong> (Miami Suns Team Fowles) Lester is a young, athletic perimeter player that is long and raw.  Playing up in the 17U level, she is adjusting to the bigger, stronger competition and the aggressive play.  She is a strong rebounder from the perimeter position and uses her length well to see over the top of defenses and shoot and score over defenders.  She has a good crossover, changing directions and getting into the paint to knock down mid-range jumpers.  Opposing defenses can speed her up sometimes and she needs to work on playing under control, being stronger and more secure with the ball, and shooting high percentage shots around the rim. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Unique Horton</strong> (Miami Suns Team Larkins) Horton stood out for her strong physique, willingness to play physical and activity on both ends of the glass.  Her body is a college ready body that stands out in a crowds, as she is bigger and stronger than almost all the players in her age classification.  She stays active, plays hard and with a lot of energy and therefore is an impact rebounder because she is consistently around the ball and gets her hands on a lot of them. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="243882" first="Jocelyn" last="Gagnon"]</strong> (Miami Suns Team Larkins) Gagnon is a tall, long perimeter player with a long wingspan.  Her length really stands out amongst other perimeter players in the class of 2024.  She is a high percentage 3-point shooter with good footwork and the ability to shot fake and shoot the mid-range pull up off 1-2 dribbles.  She is a streaky shooter who can get hot from deep and completely change the momentum of a game around.  She has a high IQ and stands out for making adjustments within games based on the way opposing players and teams are guarding her.  She is a very unselfish player, who willingly feeds post players, makes the extra pass, and promotes ball movement. &nbsp; <strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-376494 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/95-DSC08136-144x300.jpg" alt="" width="144" height="300" /></strong> &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="217665" first="Sofia" last="Mendez"]</strong> (Miami Suns Team Larkins) Mendez is a skilled combo guard who has a high IQ, is a good passer, and has excellent fundamentals.  Mendez does a great job playing under control and not letting defenses speed her up.  She is a potent offensive player who always has her head up, makes great passes for easy layups, and is a knock down 3-point shooter.  Her outside shooting is a major separating factor from other prospects in the class of 2024 as she has a quick release, gets her feet set quick, and is always ready to let it launch! She has her hands and feet ready consistently and plays well without the ball in her hands and is super dangerous coming off screens for the catch and shoot 3! &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="221703" first="Kaliyah" last="Morales"]</strong> (Miami Suns Team Larkins) Morales is long, lengthy, and athletic! She can use her length and athleticism to get by defenders and into the teeth of opposing defenses.  Morales has the body and the athleticism to be a big-time player but struggled vs higher level competition.  She needs to tighten up her handle and shoot a higher percentage in the paint. &nbsp; <strong><img class="wp-image-204265 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/09/19-Jade-Thompson-2-e1652028851644-300x296.jpg" alt="" width="220" height="217" /></strong> &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="223783" first="Jade" last="Thompson"]</strong> (Miami Suns Team Fowles) Thompson has a super quick first step and can beat defenders off the dribble with ease.  She has elite athleticism and elite explosiveness but needs to channel some of that and learn how to utilize it while still playing under control.  She has big time upside and playing on the EYBL circuit could potentially expose some of her flaws but also fuel that potential that Thompson is capable of.  She is a high energy player who is an energizer bunny on the floor, never standing still and always hustling and moving.  She can knock down open 3s and is a pesky defender.  We will continue to watch her this spring/summer with Miami Suns as she is a potential major stock riser as she puts it all together. &nbsp; <strong>Michael Wholey</strong> is the lead scout for Florida Prep Girls Hoop Florida and a former division one Assistant Coach at American University, University of Memphis, and Georgia Tech.  Wholey and the rest of the Prep Girls Hoop staff, seek to cover the entire state of player, keeping subscribers up to date with player evaluations, recruiting info, and statewide news.  Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information.  If you have any information on players, teams, or statewide news in the state of Florida, emailing Michael Wholey at <a href="mailto:WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com">WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com</a> or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.