By: Ross Van De Griek
The grassroots basketball season has officially passed the midway point, and we are highlighting the rising sophomores to watch in the Sunshine State for the upcoming Live Period. We will nominate 8 (eight) additional players to watch at the upcoming Florida Association of Basketball Coaches (FABC) showcase this weekend, taking place in Gainesville.
6-10 PF Jalil Hill, Fleming Island (FL), 1Family Hoops PRO16 15U
The 6-foot-10 rising sophomore power forward can impact the game in a variety of ways, whether it’s running the floor in transition scoring opportunities, disrupting offensive flow on the defensive end with his length, or rebounding exceptionally well on both ends of the floor. On the offensive end, Hill has become more comfortable when it comes to stepping out onto the perimeter, taking open shots with confidence. On defense, he can secure timely rebounds when it comes to securing the possession and is an accurate passer when pushing the tempo. Overall, Hill has the intangibles to become a top two-way prospect for his class, where he is already receiving high praise from mid-major Division-1 schools.
6-6 SG Avery Jones, The Rock School (FL), Austin Rivers SE Elite 3SSB 15U
Jones is an ultra-athletic guard who has a skill set of size, speed, and length, with which he can dominate in the half-court. On offense, Jones can knock down shots from the perimeter at a high rate, as well as being efficient when it comes to finishing at the rim. On defense, his length and versatility allow him to guard multiple positions as well as apply consistent pressure in the passing lanes. He has a well-rounded overall game and was already picking up offers from mid-major schools, including Liberty University, when he was in eighth grade.
6-1 PG Anton Oskarsson, Lake Highland Prep (FL), Florida Blue Chips 15U
The 6-foot-1 rising sophomore point guard displays a great feel and understanding of the game. On offense, he doesn’t need to be a score-first guard to make an impact, where he gets his teammates involved early and often. He also shows great instincts on the defensive end by reading the passing gaps, forcing turnovers, rebounding from the guard position, and displaying strong kick-ahead passes to his teammates in transition scoring opportunities. With more maturity in his overall game, Oskarsson could be a name to keep an eye on in the next three years.
6-3 CG Corban Reed, Nease (FL), Above Academy 15U
The 6-foot-3 rising sophomore combo guard is an efficient scorer and playmaker when it comes to the offensive end. He doesn’t need the basketball in his hands to be the primary target for opposing defenses, as he can score efficiently off the dribble as well as the catch at a high rate. He is unafraid when it comes to stopping on a dime, knocking down shots from the perimeter, and can attack the basket, finishing on each side of the basket while absorbing contact. On the defensive end, he is smart when it comes to jumping the passing gaps, snatching down timely rebounds, and forcing turnovers, which lead to scores on the offensive end. Reed has emerged himself as one of the top players to watch in the Northeast Florida area as he is just entering his sophomore season.
6-5 CG Desean Clayton, Westminster Academy (FL), Nightrydas Elite EYBL 15U
The 6-foot-5 rising sophomore combo guard is just scratching the surface as far as potential goes. He was named to the All Miami-Dade Third Team as just a freshman this past season, where he can impact the game in multiple ways. He is unafraid when it comes to attacking the basket, finishing at the front of the rim through contact, knocking down mid-range jump shots off the catch, and utilizing his athleticism to his advantage to apply pressure on the defense. On the defensive end, he does a great job when staying in front of opposing guards, using his quickness to his advantage, whether it’s contesting shots or creating deflections, which often lead to steals on the other end. He plays with elite level toughness that has already opened up some doors for an early head start in his recruitment process.
6-7 SF RJ Evans, SLAM Tampa (FL), Austin Rivers SE Elite 3SSB 17U
The 6-foot-7 rising sophomore combo forward has sky-rocket potential as he has played against players who are two years older than him this spring. He uses his strength and length to his advantage when it comes to attacking downhill, finishing through contact, and attacking closeouts on the defensive end. He also does a great job at securing timely rebounds, pushing tempo, and showcasing a strong handle when it comes to transition offense. He is also an unselfish wing who creates for his teammates throughout the course of a game, whether it’s as the first option or running the half-court offense. On defense, he stays active using his size to his advantage where he can guard multiple positions, snatching timely rebounds, and staying active with his elite footwork.
6-5 CG Hudson Hooten, Booker T. Washington (Pensacola) (FL), Austin Rivers SE Elite 3SSB 15U
The 6-foot-5 rising sophomore combo guard is a pass-first guard with superb skills in the transition game. He showcases great length from the guard position with his strong handle and court vision for his size. He becomes a matchup nightmare for opposing guards, where he is always on the move, whether it’s getting to his spots to score or getting his teammates involved. On the defensive end, he plays with a ton of versatility, where he can guard multiple positions, snatch down timely rebounds, and limit the opposition from getting second-chance scoring opportunities. Overall, Hooten has a strong case to become one of the top ranked guards in the class across the Sunshine State as his game continues to blossom in the next three years.
6-6 SF Malachi Fernandez, Williston (FL), Above Academy 15U
The 6-foot-6 rising sophomore wing does a great job when it comes to showcasing his athleticism and versatility, where he can impact the game in multiple ways. On the offensive end, Fernandez does a great job utilizing his length and great body control when patrolling the glass by turning his defense into offense by quickly getting out in transition. He also plays with great energy, where he does a great job when controlling closeouts, staying active when guarding the paint, and challenging shots without fouling. Overall, the 6-foot-6 rising sophomore has a ton of upside, and his two-way playmaking will open up some eyes at a possible early start in his recruitment.
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).