Fernando Caballero, Action Sports Institute
During his first year in the prep ranks, the big 6-foot-2 guard has the body and the skill-set to make the most seamless transition to a national schedule.
After proving himself as a guy who can create his own shot and knock down 3-pointers with consistency, Caballero spent this past season packing muscle onto a 185-pound frame. The end result was a more dieseled-up 210 pounds, as he's suddenly possessing a cornerback's build. He is adapting to the demands of playing stout on-ball defense. Beyond being a natural leader with the rock in his hands, the onus will be on Caballero to carve through defenders and hit those tough to guard shots.
After shooting over 50 percent from downtown as a junior and a senior in the Puerto Rico high school ranks, anticipate him to again bring an automatic style to the wild, wild west shootout that is the American prep and post graduate seen.
With his ability to increase his vertical and throw down in-traffic dunks with consistency, Caballero has the all around skill set that aligns with the style prioritized at the Division-I level. He's shown he can play either guard spots and basically devote himself to whatever it is head coach Brett Newman (who has had a hand in the development of 400 Division-I players) demands of him.
With his high academic status, don't be surprised to see some Ivy League schools and high academic Division-III's jockeying for the position of front runner in the well-built Puerto Rican guard's recruitment.
Drew Torres, Undecided
With his ability to score the ball in ambidextrous fashion, his adaptation to the high level game with the changing of the speeds, and his overall basketball IQ, it's fair to say Drew Torres has the necessary intangibles to lead by example and beyond his years maturity entering his 2020 season.
Partly at how well traveled he's been and party at a slapdash, change in schools and neighborhoods over the past few years, the heady and high-scoring guard has been able to fall under the radar. Yet with his uptick in work ethic and willingness to finely tune all areas of his game this summer, the Texas native will look to make the most out of his final year on the hardwood.
The mixed bag of step backs, one on one moves, and hard-to-guard shots are what makes him such an intriguing scorer. Many suggest he might take the prep route, essentially making up for some lost time while finding an exposure-heavy environment to utilize the skill-set he has to offer. Realistically, Torres brings a game-changing approach everywhere he has played.
While he may not have had his grit gauged against sublime competition over the years, he's certainly not callow or inexperienced when it comes to stepping on big courts and going against older, more established guards.
Seven Ferguson, Miami Prep
With the first-year program opening up under the legendary Art "Pilin" Alvarez, all signs point to MIami Prep building up their roster in a hurry. They made their first recruiting coup in reeling in Seven Ferguson, an uber athletic 6-foot-4 guard/forward who plays every game as if a national championship is at stake. Every shot is contested and every loose ball is chased thoroughly with Ferguson, who plays as if he just downed back to back cans of Bang Energy drink.
Beyond his hustle and winning attitude, Ferguson is an athletic around the rim scorer who loves to get free for stickbacks. He's shown an improved, consistent jump shot and an ability to get into the nooks and crannies of defenses and score. He knows the expectation level will be high. That comes with the territory of learning under the iconic Marcos "Shakey" Rodriguez, under whom he played at Mater Academy as a sophomore. On a spanking new prep team which will likely play its fair share of post graduates and Junior Colleges, Ferguson will likely inherit the leadership reins from the very start.
Khyree Taylor, Scotland Campus
Khyree Taylor has turned heads this off-season, a gritty and tough 6-foot guard who can handle the ball and distribute as good as any player still on the recruitment market. He picked up an offer from McNeese State and has burgeoning interest from St. Bonaventure and Kent State.
Taylor recently scored a game-best 15 points to lead the NY Rens in a tournament, barreling his way to the rim and finishing through contact. The well built 6-foot guard has a knack for getting others involved first, like a true dish-first facilitator. He's equally adept at as a three level scorer who knows how to call his own number during crunch time and leave his stamp on the game. That's what the 2020 prospect proved this summer.