Fernando Caballero, KEBA Prep–The well-built 6-foot-3 guard has the college-ready build and play-making ability to transition seamlessly to the rigors of the collegiate experience. He’s a deft, reliable outside shooter, the type of trigger man who knows how to spark meaningful scoring runs when he gets hot. As a high school senior in Puerto Rico, he shot it at a scalding 55 percent from beyond the arc. Beyond this, Caballero (who averaged 19 PPG as a high school senior) possesses a level of sneaky bounce that enables him to get above the rim and finish in authoritative fashion. He’s devoted more focus to increasing his vertical and becoming springboard bouncy while being an adept 3-point trigger man would certainly appeal to those Division-I programs who need an instant impact guard. With his high academics, Caballero would be able to likely play at an Ivy or Patriot caliber school. Caballero erupted for 22 points in a game against Huntington Prep and also had games of 20+ points and 10 assists.
Kale Stephens, Central Point Christian Academy:
The lead guard turned in an efficient account of himself in CPCA’s 102-99 win over Combine Academy, posting a monster stat line of 19 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds. Stephens was able to trigger the transition game with a number of quarterback to wide receiver style passes and three quarter court passes which kept defenders on their heels. The Class of 2020 guard was relentless in his surges to the rim and was able to beat guys in the one on one game and knife his way to the basket gracefully. Having played at a high level these past few years, the Indiana native has the skill set and the experience to transition instantly to the college game. A former football player and a bigger guard, Stephens poses a threat with his IQ and ability to score the ball in a variety of ways.
Hasahn Abdul-Hakim, Central Point Christian Academy: Given the way today’s game is structured, the 6-foot-7 Abdul-Hakim has the type of advanced and versatile skill-set that aligns with the interchangeability and multi-positional status many prioritize at the next level. He can handle the ball like a guard and has the type of above the rim finishing ability to make big plays that have a powerful impact on the game and on scoring runs.
Abdul Hakim showed this over the weekend, leaking out in the open court and getting above the rim on numerous occasions. He’s got the perimeter game and soft touch from the outside that will bring defenders away from the rim and create an issue for defenses.
Jaden Gale, Shooting 4 Greatness Academy (NC): At 6-foot-6 and capable of playing multiple positions, Gale is intriguing because of his multi-positional status. During this weekend’s tournament in Atlanta, Gale embodied versatility as he played some point guard and also hit outside shots and carved his way to the rim and manufactured points. While he’s pretty well traveled, having been to Potter’s House, Inspire Prep, and Quality Education these last several months, Gale’s talent and the threat he poses for defenses was evident on Saturday.
