"The Smooth Shot Maker That Keeps Picking Defenses Apart"

David Qi

@davidq5_

6'4, Class of 2027

East River HS, FL

There’s something dangerous about a player who never looks rushed, no matter how much pressure gets thrown his way. David has built his game around staying calm, making smart reads, making shots, and controlling the flow without forcing the spotlight onto himself. But make no mistake about it, once he gets rolling offensively, defenses quickly realize they’ve got a serious problem on their hands.

David describes himself as a true leader who stays vocal on both sides of the floor and constantly tries to bring out the best in his teammates. That mentality has become a huge part of what makes his game so valuable. He doesn’t only think about scoring. He thinks about winning possessions, making the right play, communicating defensively, and putting teammates in good spots to succeed.

What stands out immediately is the balance in his game. David is a consistent perimeter shot-maker with strong ball-handling, a high IQ, and the ability to defend multiple positions. Whether it’s guarding point guards on the perimeter or switching onto bigger wings, he embraces competing defensively just as much as scoring the basketball.

This past season at East River High School gave another strong glimpse into how much his game continues to grow. Averaging nearly 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in 6A Florida basketball is already strong production by itself, but the bigger story was how efficiently and consistently he impacted games within the system. David credits a lot of that success to trusting his teammates and fully buying into the offensive sets East River runs. That trust allowed him to score naturally within the offense while also continuing to create opportunities for everyone around him.

One of the clearest signs his game was reaching another level came during two huge performances against Top 150 teams in Florida, where he scored 19 points in both matchups. Those moments meant a lot because they showed the work he had been putting in was translating directly against elite competition. When the lights got brighter and the competition got tougher, David responded with some of his strongest performances of the year.

That confidence has continued carrying over into AAU basketball on the Kyrie Irving Uncle Drew Circuit, where David is averaging double figures against high-level competition. His unselfishness and consistent shooting have translated smoothly because those are skills that hold up no matter the level of play. Defenses still have to respect his ability to shoot, create, and make smart reads every possession.

The journey this season also came with real adversity. Transferring to a new school and adjusting to a completely new system tested him mentally throughout the year. On top of that, making an hour-long drive every single day for school and practice added another challenge physically and mentally. Instead of complaining or making excuses, David stayed focused, trusted his coach, and believed the work would eventually pay off. That maturity and discipline say a lot about the type of person and player he is becoming.

One of the biggest improvements in David’s game recently has been his handles. He feels his ball-handling has improved drastically since the start of the year, allowing him to create more confidently and control the game even better with the ball in his hands. This offseason, he’s fully locked in on tightening his handle even more while continuing to make his jumper even more automatic.

The biggest goal driving him through AAU season right now is earning his first college offer. He knows the opportunities are there if he keeps stacking work and proving himself every weekend against strong competition.

When college coaches come watch David Qi, they’re going to get a vocal, defensive-minded wing with a strong feel for the game, high IQ, consistent shooting, and unselfish playmaking. They’re going to get somebody who competes hard, communicates constantly, and impacts winning in more ways than just scoring points.

I assess that David is a smart, skilled guard with strong shooting ability, improving ball-handling, and excellent feel for the game. His unselfish approach, vocal leadership, and ability to defend multiple positions give him tremendous value on both ends of the floor. The continued improvement in his handle is opening even more layers offensively.

David’s combination of IQ, shooting, toughness, and leadership make him a player coaches are going to continue noticing. Players that can consistently shoot, facilitate, defend, and stay composed under pressure always find ways to impact winning. As his confidence and offensive creation continue expanding, David has the tools to keep climbing while positioning himself as a very strong next-level prospect. His best basketball is still ahead of him. Stay tuned.