2024 Florida Jam: 15U Top Performers, Part I
After an action-packed weekend in Wesley Chapel, Florida, the inaugural Florida Jam is officially behind us. There were plenty of talented players that ended their travel season on a high note.
With that being said, here’s our top performers from the 15-and-under division…
RELATED: 16U Top Performers
Jayson Lewis, SCE Lewis: I’ve watched Lewis several times this travel season and each time I come away more impressed. The lanky guard commanded his team as a lead guard, deciding whether to push the ball in transition or slow things down for set plays. Lewis has a nice feel for the game and can really pass the basketball – just ask his teammates who were beneficiaries of his quick passes in traffic. He made good decisions in pick-and-roll opportunities, deciding whether to pressure the defense by attacking or dropping passes off to open teammates. Lewis is only 6-foot tall right now, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he hits a growth spurt soon. If that’s the case, he’ll be even more intriguing as a lead guard.
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, Team Speights: Make no mistake about it, Boumtje Boumtje was the most captivating prospect we had at Florida Jam. While it’s extremely early in his career, the sophomore looks like a sure-fire high-major prospect and top 100 player. Standing at 6-foot-10, the lefty showcased his ball skills and overall skill level throughout the weekend. He had no problem pulling down defensive rebounds and initiating transition, where he showed he could handle the basketball in the open floor and pass it effectively. Boumtje Boumtje also stretched the floor with his shooting ability, knocking down shots at an efficient rate. You’ll definitely be hearing more about him in the coming years.
Brady McNally, Auburn Raptors: McNally ended what was a productive travel season on a high note for the Auburn Raptors. The cerebral guard played both guard positions effectively, picking and choosing his spots in the backcourt. First and foremost, the Opelika (AL) product is a talented shooter and scorer. He kept defenses honest all weekend with his shooting from behind the arc, but it was his playmaking and decision-making that was most impressive. When defenders closed out hard, McNally had no issue putting the ball on the floor and attacking the paint. More often than not he made the correct decision, whether it was spraying the ball around to teammates for open shots or making a play at the rim for himself.
Zeke Settles, SWFL Hoops: Need a shooter? Look no further than Settles, who staked his claim as one of the better shooters in the building this weekend. The 6-foot-4 guard made shots in a variety of ways, whether it was off the dribble or off the catch. Despite being a shot-maker, he didn’t take many bad shots that were out of line. Instead, he played with poise and made quality decisions. He still has a few years before college programs start knocking down his door, but Settles is an intriguing high-academic prospect that’s worth noting for the future.
