OTR Hoops: FABC Live Period Day 1 Standouts
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The scholastic Live Period is officially underway, where 60+ college coaches and over 130 teams across the Southeast region are on full display. Here are eight (8) players who stood out on the opening day of the event:
Ross Van De Griek
Jun 13, 2026
PLAYERS FEATURED
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The scholastic Live Period is officially underway, where 60+ college coaches and over 130 teams across the Southeast region are on full display. Here are eight (8) players who stood out on the opening day of the event:
The 6-foot-5 rising senior guard plays with a ton of athleticism and energy when it comes to playing on both ends of the floor. He played above the rim when it came to absorbing contact as well as expanding his game into a mid-range role on the offensive end. He was also able to utilize his true athleticism and length on the defensive end, where he battled for possessions, snatching timely rebounds, and being active in the passing lanes.
The 6-foot-2 rising senior guard looked strong and healthy after he had battled numerous injuries for over a year now. In the win over Orlando Christian Prep, his sharpshooting returned to form, where he finished with a game-high 24 points and knocked down eight 3-pointers. His high-level athleticism on the defensive end was impeccable, where he forced turnovers, turning his defense into offense with his ability to kick ahead passes in transition, where his teammates made strong finishes around the rim. His overall playmaking on both ends of the floor should allow him to have a big summer heading into his senior season.
The 6-foot-5 rising senior guard is one of the top sharpshooting guards in the state of Florida. In the win over North Broward Prep, he knocked down the go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute after struggling to find ways to score in the first half. His ability to create his own shot off the bounce has made huge strides as he heads into his senior season. He is coming fresh off a May Live Period where he picked up recent offers from Illinois-Chicago and the University of North Florida. Expect Lackaff to have a huge second half of the summer season and come out stronger as we approach the July live period in just a few weeks.
The 6-foot-1 rising senior point guard remained poised and played under control in the overtime win over Pembroke Pines Charter. On the offensive end, he was unafraid when it came to finishing above the rim as well as drawing contact and getting to the free-throw line, where he finished with a game-high 21 points. With his team trailing late in the fourth quarter, he went on a stretch where he scored six straight points to help send his team to overtime. Overall, Walker delivered an all-around performance, showing he can impact the game in multiple ways beyond his scoring.
Ethan Mott - Grandview Prep - 2028
The 6-foot-6 rising junior wing showcased the ability to score inside as well as outside, where he exploded for a game-high 35 points in a wire-to-wire win over Discovery. He played above the rim, where he utilized his length and athleticism to his advantage. On defense, he impacted the game with his toughness and ability to compete on every possession. He made winning plays by keeping possessions alive and limiting the opposition from getting second-chance scoring opportunities.
James Rateree - Bartow - 2028
The 6-foot-1 rising junior point guard continues to thrive this summer as a playmaker and a scorer on the offensive end. Despite the tough loss to Oak Ridge, Rateree emerged as the leading scorer, where he finished with 16 points along with three rebounds and four assists. He has added more confidence to his jump shot, where he can be effective off the catch and dribble. On defense, he added toughness and was able to compete on the glass against bigger players, using his length and strength to his advantage. Coaches keep an eye on the rising junior as he’s already receiving interest from several mid-major programs.
Matt Williams - Bartow - 2027
The 6-foot-2 rising senior small forward plays bigger than his size indicates. On offense, he was showing a relentless attack where he finished above the rim as well as making strong passes to his teammates in transition scoring opportunities. In the tough loss to Oak Ridge in the opening game, he made his presence felt around the rim, where he finished with a team-high five rebounds to go along with 12 points. Williams doesn’t need to be the primary scorer to make an impact when he’s on the floor.
Will Stewart - Providence - 2028
The 6-foot-3 rising junior shooting guard is ultra-athletic when it comes to finishing above the rim and plays with a ton of toughness, where he can score through contact against multiple defenders. Stewart has also grown into being more adaptable when it comes to scoring on all three levels. In the win over St. Thomas Aquinas, Stewart finished with a game-high 29 points, including a couple of highlight dunks in the victory as well. On defense, he continues to apply heavy pressure on opposing ball-handlers with his quick-footed movement and utilizes his athleticism to compete on the glass, limiting the opposition from getting second-chance scoring opportunities.
Ross Van De Griek has been a Southeast Region Scout & Writer for On the Radar Hoops since 2024. He has been involved in basketball scouting with previous stops at Prep Hoops and Prep Girls Hoops from 2022 to 2024. You can follow him on X @RossVDG14 or reach him via email at rossvdg14@gmail.com
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