It is always a challenge to pick THE player for this category. Every spring and summer, we come across players that either we had not seen play before or their performance was under-whelming when viewed in action with their respective high school team, but then “ball out” in a different setting. These guys definitely fit the bill.
2024: Elyjah Freeman, Wellington Wolves: A 6’6 senior out of Wellington, Freeman was the definition of unknown coming out of his junior campaign. After a spring and summer of ballin’ out at various independent events, Freeman is entertaining a variety of college offers. He has plenty of length and athleticism, using both to great effect at both ends of the floor. Offensively he is most dangerous inside the arc but Freeman can get going from deep and affect the outcome of games. He handles the ball well and makes good decisions with it on the move. Freeman has the ability to be a grab-and-go rebounder, starting the transition game on his own. He is also a fine above the rim finisher on the break. He has good instincts on the defensive end and the ability to guard multiple positions. In all, it was an impressive leap from a four point a game scorer (according to MaxPreps) this past high school season to a player that will certainly have a lot of choices to play at the D-I level.
(6’6 Jeremiah Police of Ball 4 Lyfe, 6’8 Enrico Borio of Florida Pro, 6’6 Ryan Blount of Q6, 6’3 Trey Murray of Born to Impact, 6’6 Hedrens Bartelus of South Florida Elite and 6’0 Brady Patterson of Above Academy all had spring and summer performances that put them on the radar of multiple college programs)
2025: Javian Jones, West Palm Beach King’s Academy: We don’t know what travel team the 6’2 Jones played with this past spring and summer, but he was very impressive for The King’s Academy out of West Palm Beach during the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches Live Period Showcase I in June. Jones does a good job of disrupting defenses by getting into the paint to create quality shot opportunities for himself or teammates. He is quick and decisive with the ball, not content to waste time dribbling in place on the perimeter. Jones shows good instincts and court vision on the offensive end. Right now, he generates offense via floaters and mid-range jumpers. The form and mechanics of his perimeter shot are solid and it is only a short matter of time before his three-point shot becomes a more consistent weapon.
(6’1 Alex Springs of TNBA Teal, 6’1 Christian Maxon of Florida Pro, 6’1 Christopher Maxon of Florida Pro, 6’0 Jacob Daniels of Team Speights, 6’8 Sam Osayi of Southeast Elite, 6’5 Cameron Bryant of Sunshine Elite and 6’6 Ricky Liburd of Weston Sagemont were each given heavy consideration for this award)
2026: Cezanne Mosley, Florida Rebels: The 6’6 Mosley put up solid numbers against somewhat suspect competition for Jordan Prep out of Lakeland during the high school season. He wasn’t considered to be an impact player for the rebels before the start of the EYBL session, but that changed VERY rapidly. He led the team in scoring and rebounding at 14.8 ppg and 7.0 rpg in Session One, raising more than a few eyebrows. In Session Two, Mosley bumped those respective numbers up to 16.0 and 11.2. Also in Session II, he averaged 3.6 assists and 3.2 blocks per contest. He averaged the same points and rebounds per game in Session III. We caught his act at the FABC Live Period Showcase II with Winter Haven. With the Blue Devils, much of his damage came in the paint. He showed good timing and leaping ability to score on lobs and putbacks, scored on some basic post moves and proved to be a reliable passer out of the high and low post areas. Mosley challenges and changes shots at the defensive end.
(6’1 Willie Burnett of Team Breakdown, 6’2 Aaron McGee of Team Breakdown, 6’3 Brody Church of Skill Center Elite and 6’0 Braylon Moore of Skills Center Elite were each considered for this honor)