Jose Amat III’s game has always been a bit beyond his years on the basketball court. As a bone-thin eighth grader performing for Westwood’s varsity, Amat delivered several fireball assists and was able to contribute significant numbers despite being so undersized.
He always head the heady, high IQ style that enabled him to make up for a lack of height. Once he added on a consistent 3-point shot and an ability to score it in transition and crafty style, he soon entered the “who’s who” conversation of South Florida’s premiere guards.
Now at Florida Christian, the Class of 2022 Amat III’s game is tailor made for the breakneck, uptempo style head coach Jason Doan is known to preach with an iron fist. With his shifty style and ability to attack the run, Amat III mirrored the style employed from the very beginning.
By developing a quicker release shot from beyond the arc and becoming super efficient in that component of his game, Amat III has become a reliable scoring source on a team which thrives by relative balance throughout the scorebook.
This well rounded offense is buoyed by fluid ball movement. That starts with Amat III, who leads the team in assists and rarely turns it over. The know-how and savvy witnessed at Westwood has transferred over to Florida Christian, where he’s made the mid-range pull-up a staple in his arsenal. Having grown a bit and developed quickness in his shot release, Amat III has additionally added range onto his deep 3-pointer.
Having devoted a significant amount of time to his body and getting stronger, Amat III has also been more effective at impacting the game without the ball.
He’s laid down and taken charges. He’s triggered the transition attack fresh off a defensive board. He’s also developed a more imposing defensive aptitude with his quick hands and full throttle on-ball defense.
Amat III gave not only an efficient account of himself but proved how well he impacts all compartments of the game during a recent win over South Ridge. Amat III scored 16 points, doled out six assists, and came up with three steals. Again, he performs and plays a bit bigger and more experienced than he really is. Look for Amat III, he of the gym rat mentality, to continue to generate noise as he heads into this off-season, He’s appealing because of his traditional point guard skill set and also the work rate which he relishes.
Chase Sanders, S4G Academy: The 6-foot-3 left handed guard pieced together a veritable clinic during last week’s stop at the Scotland Invitational in PA. Sanders drained an event-best 21 3-pointers in three games, his smooth lefty form torching defenders to the tune of a 27-point outburst during S4G’s 98-89 win over Scotland Campus Prep Black. Sanders registered his presence as a sheer dagger man in this memorable showing, hitting shots from way, way, way beyond the confines of the arc and sparking momentum runs with his 3-pointers in succession.
A Kentucky native, the smooth Sanders has become more adept at scoring it off the dribble and also creating for the talent flanking him. It makes sense, as both Sanders and 6-foot-7, 240-pound Chase Thompson (28.5 PPG) account for a significant percentage of the team’s offensive output.
Andreas Muten, Scotland Campus HS: The 6-foot-7 lefty elicits a challenging matchup because of his ability to put the ball on the floor and create and also shoot it off the dribble. He’s got a consistent 3-point set shot but is equally adept at getting into the nooks and crannies of the defense and hitting shots from 5-8 feet away from the rim.
This is effective in taking big rim protectors outside the post and forcing them to guard him. Defensively, Muten has a wingspan and an ability to front bigger players in the post. He’s got the type of crafty scoring ability that enables him to get to the rim and finish through traffic, albeit he leans on the outside shot. Muten recently turned in a double double with 22 points and 10 boards during a 61-57 loss to Rocktop Academy on the road.
Dillon Hod, Scotland Campus Prep White: The 6-foot-3 Hod is beginning to find his niche as a multi-positional player with a motor who knows how to make the right read and score at opportune times. Hod’s ability to pull off nifty spin moves in traffic and traditional 3-point plays has been pivotal for the Knights. Hod put together a 15 point game against Central Pointe Christian Academy down in Florida, displaying an adequate feel for the game and a knack for attacking the gaps and the run. He possesses an adeptness at seeing the floor and making the type of pass others at his position simply aren’t capable of. Hod’s shot has improved incrementally since he arrived at Scotland Campus and he’s beginning to hit with consistency from beyond the arc.
Abdiel Echevarria, Central Pointe Christian Academy: The Class of 2020 guard from Puerto Rico has shown a tremendous amount of sneaky bounce, resulting in several wild and pulsating dunks this seas.
The 6-foot-5 Echevarria was known primarily as a shooter in Puerto Rico, albeit adapting to the American game has transitioned him into a well rounded scorer who can get out in transition and finish about the rim. He’s generated interest from programs such as Arkansas Little Rock and Western Kentucky.
If he can continue to make consistency a livelihood and break open games with his scoring, Echevarria will wind up being one of the more ready-made players in the class of 2020. He needs to develop more of a killer instinct and realize not only his potential but the mark he could leave on a game. This would convert him from role player to game-changing stud in quick-hit fashion.
Norchad Omeir, Miami Prep: The 6-foot-7 center from Nicaragua has found instant success playing under legendary South Florida head coach Art “Pilin” Alvarez, who has helped mold him into a steady double double machine.
Omeir has boasted several 20-point, 15+ rebound performances and is beginning to register his presence as one of the country’s elite rebounders. He’s got a high motor and knows how to play in a breakneck attack, which is the type Alvarez is known to employ. Austin Peay, Manhattan, St. John’s and several others appear to be high on the upside-heavy Class of 2020 prospect.
Fernando Caballero, KEBA Prep: Colleges will soon be tapping into their inner circle, looking for a shooter. Many need to open their eyes to 6-foot-3 Fernando Caballero, a lights out 3-point sniper with tremendous range and the quintessential college-ready body.
Caballero, at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, is able to really apply pressure on smaller guards and instigate turnovers that evoke transition buckets. Beyond this, Caballero also possesses the type of sneaky bounce and vertically explosive game that is prioritized at the NCAA level. The Puerto Rico native will also transition seamlessly to the demands of the college process, as he boasts a high academic pedigree and the scores capable of garnering acceptance into some of the nation’s high profile Universities.
