Without solid guard play, success on the basketball court is hard to come by. It becomes much more difficult to advance the ball, score, or contain the other team on the perimeter without it. With that in mind, we take a look at what we think will be some of the better backcourts this coming high school season.
Miami Christopher Columbus
6’4 JR Cayden Boozer, 6’4 SR Jason Richarson, 6’2 JR Benny Fragella, 6’3 SR Randy Smith, 6’5 SO Jaxon Richardson
A pair of holdovers and a trio of newcomers make this a special group for the Explorers. Boozer excels at both ends of the floor. Offensively he runs the show, gets people involved and can be counted on to get a bucket when the pressure is on. Fragella is the designated floor stretcher and zone buster. He gets to his spots, has a quick release, and gives great effort on defense. Newcomers Jason and Jaxon Richardson have NBA bloodlines. Jason is a Michigan State signee and has a deep bag of scoring tools. Jaxon is an active athlete that plays hard with a skill level that continues to grow each time out. Smith transfers in and is a solid scorer and defender. The “world” will focus on Cameron Boozer (and rightly so) but any of these perimeter players can go off and carry the Explorers if given the opportunity.
Miami Norland
6’6 SR Marcus Allen, 6’5 SR Tristan Wilson, 6’3 SR Jamal Ware
Allen, a Missouri signee, elevates this group to prominence. He has vastly improved his ability to score from the perimeter and will make his teammates better with his unselfish play at both ends of the floor. Wilson stepped up in a big way last season, averaging in the mid-teens. His outside shot is reliable and he can get by defenders and finish creatively at the rim in traffic. Ware does a bit of everything as he handles the ball, rebounds, defends, and makes the most of his scoring opportunities whether they come in transition, off the offensive glass, or quick cuts/drives into the lane.
Orlando Christian Prep
6’5 SR Isaiah Brown, 6’0 SR Ameer Ramadan, 6’3 JR Darius Washington III, 6’3 SR Jemeh Jones, 6’1 SR Hunter Johnson
This group can be just as dynamic on the defensive end as it is on offense. Brown, a University of Florida signee, is a three-level scorer, dynamic finisher, and a disruptive defender. The lefty shoots the ball well from beyond the arc and can create and make his own shot. Ramadan is a solid point guard that has been part of a lot of wins in his four years at OCP. A Florida Southern signee, he shoots the ball with range and accuracy and is a staunch on-ball defender. Washington III has basketball in his blood and holds up the family legacy well. He is more scorer than shooter (like his pops was) but is also a good ball-handler, passer, and rebounder. Jones transfers in and will provide additional scoring punch. Johnson is more noted for his defensive prowess but his ability to play either guard spot is a big help.
Orlando Oak Ridge
6’0 JR Jaden Reese, 6’6 JR Jamier Jones, 6’6 SR Tyler Johnson, 6’6 SR Cam Simpson, 6’4 SR Jordan Tillery, 6’2 SR C.J. Liptrot
It won’t surprise when the Pioneers trot out a Five Perimeter Player lineup this season. Reese had great success running the point last season and over the summer on the EYBL 16U circuit with the Florida Rebels. He sets the table well for his teammates, will make shots from deep, and has a very high hoops IQ. Jones is an incredible athlete and highly regarded in the 2025 Class. He is dynamic in transition and very adept at taking defenders off the bounce. Johnson, a Virgina Tech signee, sometimes gets stuck playing inside on the defensive end, but he is a solid perimeter presence on offense than can take smaller players inside. His three-point shooting continues to improve. Three-point shooting is not an issue for Simpson. His range is really deep and he is also a big help in the rebounding department. Tillery, a Georgia Southern signee and jack-of-all-trades type, does all the little things that get wins. On top of that, he shoots the ball well from the perimeter and is a tough on-ball defender. Liptrot gives the Pioneers another scorer as well as perimeter shooter.
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy
6’4 JR Alexander Lloyd, 6’6 JR Dwayne Wimbley, 6’6 SR Jeremiah Police, 6’8 SO Alex Constanza
It will be difficult to find four more talented perimeter players on one team in the state outside of Montverde and IMG. Lloyd can be found playing both on and off the ball. He sees the floor well, has a quick first step, is a dynamic finisher and has a respectable perimeter shot. Wimbley is active and aggressive at both ends of the floor. He rebounds well against bigger opponents, has a nose for the ball coming off the offensive glass, gets to and finishes at the basket in a crowd and gets ahead of the defense for easy scores in transition. Police does many of the same things that Wimbley does when it comes to making his way into the stat sheet. His length and athleticism give him great defensive versatility. Constanza may have the highest ceiling of the group. He handles the ball well, has deep range on his shot and the ability to take advantage of defenders who close out too aggressively.
MORE TO KNOW
Riverview Bell Creek Academy: 6’1 JR Lyric Sartin, 6’5 JR Caleb Sanders, 6’5 SO Jermal Jones, 6’1 SO Isaiah Gilyard
Coral Springs HS: 6’2 SR Walter Pierre-Lewis, 6’3 SR James Saulsby, 6’4 JR Alex Pierre-Lewis
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian: 6’7 JR Sean Abaev, 6’1 SR Stone Bureau, 6’6 SO Colin Paul, 5’10 FR Cayden Daughtry
Fort Pierce Central: 6’2 JR Christian Maxon, 6’2 JR Christopher Maxon, 6’3 JR Joseph Gayle, 6’2 JR Kenny Parks, 6’2 JR Trey Spriggs
Jacksonville Jackson: 6’3 SR Ronald Durham, 6’3 SR Jaylen Dopson, 6’3 SR Octavious Lawson
Tampa Leto: 6’2 SR Derek Delgardo, 6’2 SR Daniel Delgardo
Hialeah Mater Lakes: 6’1 JR Anthony Knowles, 6’1 SR Braylen Burbridge, 6’3 SR Clarence Burts, 5’11 FR Khanye Moss
Orlando Olympia: 6’6 SR Kameran Wright, 6’4 SR Vophcy Prophet, 6’3 SR Kaiden White
Ponte Vedra: 6’2 SR Sam Ritchie; 6’0 SO David Barrera, 6’4 SO Maddox Palmer
Jacksonville Providence: 6’6 SR Chris Arias, 6’0 SR Brady Patterson, 6’0 SR Caleb McAbee
Miami Riviera Prep: 6’4 JR Dante Allen, 6’0 SO Mason Fuentes, 5’11 FR Myles Fuentes
Weston Sagemont: 6’4 SR Jordyn Kee, 6’6 SO Kevin Thomas, 6’5 JR Ricky Liburd
South Plantation: 6’1 SR Kaiden Francis, 6’2 SR Harry Gelin, 6’2 SR Dwight Stephens
St. Petersburg Gibbs: 6’0 JR Jacob Daniels, 6’2 JR Mathis Roberts, 6’1 FR O’Neal Delancy
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas: 6’0 SO D.J. Sandi, 5’10 SO Ayden Ambrose, 6’1 SR Matt Andreopoulos
Tampa Berkeley Prep: 6’4 JR Matthew Able, 6’4 SR Donnie Morris, 5’11 FR Gabe Grimsley
Tampa SLAM Academy: 6’0 SR Daniel MacGregor, 6’5 SR Ramone Seals, 6’3 SO Will Piggiott
Lakeland Victory Christian: 6’2 SR Lorenzo Cason, 6’2 SR Jordan Lanier, 6’0 SR Mike Andino
Wellington: 6’6 SR Elyjah Freeman, 6’1 SR Reggie Reinhardt, 6’0 JR Jeremy Tovar, 6’3 JR Dakota Izard
Windermere Prep: 6’1 JR Sam Shoptaw, 6’3 JR Jordan Ford, 6’4 SO Ian Parham, 6’3 SO Brandon Bass, 6’0 FR Gustavo Roca