With fall leagues well underway, we are inching closer to the 2026-2027 high school basketball season. Southeast Hoops Report mentions ten (10) players in this year’s senior class who could make a major leap this season.
By: Southeast Hoops Report
6-3 CG Jackson LaMarre, Tampa Prep (FL)- 2027
LaMarre is coming off a big-time summer season playing for Skills Center Elite on the Under Armour Rise circuit, where he has become a competent guard displaying a ton of action when he plays off the ball. He has built strong confidence in his perimeter shooting ability, where he can be efficient both off the catch and off the dribble. During his junior season, LaMarre averaged 11.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, where his high IQ is on full display as a primary ball-handler and in getting to his spots off the ball. On the defensive end, he does a great job when it comes to reading the passing gaps and is an underrated rebounder for his size where he can push tempo when transition allows.
5-11 PG Cory McPherson, The First Academy (Orlando) (FL)- 2027
McPherson is a quick and shifty guard when he has the basketball in his hands. He is a vital three-level scorer as well as a facilitator on the offensive end. On defense, he uses his speed and relentless on-the-ball pressure, generating turnovers that lead to scores on the opposite end. Overall, he can make defenders pay with his perimeter shooting off the catch and bounce on the offensive end, as well as generate deflections leading to steals on the defensive end. His speed and athleticism should pay huge dividends heading into his senior season as well as once he gets to campus as he is committed to playing collegiate basketball at the University of Tampa alongside his AAU teammate Bryce Hoffert.
6-2 PG KJ Sandi, St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)- 2027
Sandi is a lead guard who can impact the game in a variety of ways, whether it’s his scoring ability or distributing to his teammates on the offensive end. On the defensive end, he is active when pursuing the passing lanes as well as rebounding well for his size. Overall, he can show his true toughness and athleticism, as he generates steals which often lead to transition scoring opportunities on the offensive end.
6-8 PF Kingston Smith, Cardinal Newman HS (FL)- 2027
The 6-foot-8 senior power forward doubled his scoring average from his sophomore season to last season. Smith is a long-armed forward who has a soft touch when finishing around the rim, as well as building a consistent mid-range game on the offensive end. On the defensive end, he plays with a ton of versatility, where he can switch and show elite footwork when guarding smaller players. His length and activity around the rim have improved, and he is averaging over a block per game and seven rebounds per game.
6-6 SF Elijah Ahlers, Osceola HS (FL)- 2027
The 6-foot-6 small forward has grown three inches over the last year as he continues to bring versatility on both ends of the floor. On the offensive end, he has a long reach, where he can get a solid shot off over bigger defenders as well as being able to expand his game into a three-level scoring threat. On the defensive end, he can guard multiple positions, showcase his elite footwork, and frame out on the perimeter as well as alter shots around the rim. Overall, he has become more aggressive when it comes to attacking the rim on the offensive end as well as looking comfortable adapting a mid-range game off the catch. He looks to lead a young-Osceola squad this season after a successful three-year run at Northside Christian, including a Final Four run he was a part of with the Mustangs last season.
6-8 SF Tristan Pasch, Parrish Community HS (FL)- 2027
The 6-foot-8 senior small forward has a true inside-out scoring package on the offensive end. He has a great understanding of floor spacing, and he consistently sets screens and finishes effectively around the basket while absorbing contact. On the defensive end, he’s very active and disruptive, using his length to alter shots and his quickness to stay in front of opposing forwards and guards. Pasch consistently looks to push the pace in transition, either by making outlet passes or by running the floor himself, making him a threat even after securing the rebound. Overall, Pasch’s work on the glass is a major asset, displaying consistent effort to pursue rebounds on both ends of the floor, creating extra possessions or preventing them.
6-0 PG Ajayden Jenkins, Wiregrass Ranch HS (FL)- 2027
The 6-foot senior point guard is quick and savvy with the ball in his hands. Jenkins’ game is built around his shooting ability and athletic tools that give him versatility on both ends of the floor. He scores on all three levels and stays efficient, making smart decisions on the offensive end. He displays good shot selection and the confidence to take and make important shots when his team needs scoring. On the defensive end, he plays with speed and has improved as an on-ball defender, where he stays disciplined and can make havoc by covering the passing gaps as well. Overall, he is a high-IQ guard who could make a major leap for a youthful Wiregrass Ranch backcourt with his veteran leadership.
6-4 SG Julian Fox, Edgewater HS (FL)- 2027
Fox is coming off a stellar summer season playing with 1Family Hoops on the PUMA circuit, where he led his team in scoring during last month’s Live Period in Bryan, Texas. The rising senior guard is a proven guard with a high IQ who makes smart decisions when he has the basketball in his hands. He consistently finds ways to score on all three levels, as well as setting up for his teammates from the secondary guard position. On the defensive end, he combines his size and athleticism, and he is unafraid to challenge himself when guarding bigger players around the rim. He is also a high-level rebounder for his size and can push tempo in transition-scoring opportunities.
5-10 PG Khanye Moss, Sagemont HS (FL)- 2027
The 5-foot-10 senior point guard is highly skilled at the lead guard position, where he is unafraid when it comes to scoring at the point of attack. Moss plays with purpose, pace, and patience as he takes advantage of mismatches where he can score on all three levels, both off the catch and off the bounce. The left-handed point guard can score in bunches, and once he gets going offensively, he is hard to contain for opposing guards. On the defensive end, he’s a pest, applying constant pressure on opposing ball-handlers with quick hands and active feet. He consistently generates deflections and steals, transitioning into easy scoring opportunities for his team in transition. Moss also has a good understanding of offensive spacing and defensive rotations.
6-3 SG Joost West, Divine Savior Academy (FL)- 2027
The 6-foot-3 senior shooting guard is quick and strong with the ball in his hands. He is unafraid when it comes to attacking the basket against bigger defenders, finishing around the rim while absorbing contact. He is a capable playmaker when operating on the perimeter, finding teammates on the move, and can get to his spots while playing off the ball, showing his strong knack for scoring on all three levels. On the defensive end, On the defensive end, he stays engaged and disciplined, rarely gambling but applies consistent pressure on the perimeter. Also, he has a great understanding of passing angles and uses his quick hands to disrupt the passing lanes. During his junior season, West averaged 14.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while being named to the All-Miami Dade Second Team.
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Ross Van De Griek has been a Southeast Region Scout for On The Radar Hoops since 2024 and has been the Owner/Founder of Southeast Hoops Report since June 2026. You can follow along with his work on X (@SEHoopsReport), Instagram (sehoopsreport), and Facebook (@sehoopsreport).