This category is annually the most challenging. This year was no different as these players, above all others, made the most of their opportunities, resulting in a significant increase in their recruiting profile.
2024: V.J. Edgecombe, SE Elite: The 6’5 Edgecombe is a Bahamas native that plays his high school ball at Long Island Lutheran in the NIBC. He led the NIBC in scoring this past season and continued his high level of play on the Adidas circuit with Southeast Elite. We were the first to sing his praises after his freshman year in March of 2021 at our Stock Risers event and now the national media is catching on to what we’ve know for over two years. While “The Swoosh” circuit gets way more than its fair share of coverage, those that watched games on the Three Stripes Select circuit were blown away by his athleticism and development as a three-level scorer. He was named First Team All-Session I and Second Team All-Session II that took place during the spring live period. Edgecombe later took part in the Adidas Eurocamp and claimed the MVP award for that event. His stellar play continued at the NBA Top 100 Camp, earning All-Camp honors. There, Edgecombe was lauded for his efficiency and consistency in making the right play and read. One national outlet named him the MVP of the Adidas 3SSB Summer Championships in the July live period. Edgecombe also earned rave review for his presence on the defensive end. He has worked his way into consideration for the McDonald’s All American Game in the spring of 2024.
(6’1 Stone Bureau of Florida Pro, 6’7 Jeremy Innocent of South Florida Elite, 6’0 Ameer Ramadan of SE Elite Gold, 6’3 Cam Miles of Southeast Elite and 6’3 Lorenzon Cason of 1 Family all had tremendous campaigns this spring and summer and each was considered heavily for this award)
2025: Shon Abaev, SOH Elite: The 6’7 scoring machine from Calvary Christian in Fort Lauderdale was very much in the running for the MOP award as we mentioned yesterday. Abaev was already somewhat of a known commodity nationally after his sophomore season but he put the high major college coaches on notice with his play in the Under Armor Association. He was considered one of the top wings regardless of class at both UAA events in the spring. Abaev’s ability to not just create and make his own shot but quickly rise, fire, and connect coming off screens and make the right pass vs. shot decisions when coming off ball-screens was noted by the national media. He was named All-Session First Team at both UAA spring live period events. Abaev was also considered a First Team April Live Period performer by one outlet, meaning he was one of the best performers regardless of circuit. His name and game continued to grow at the illustrious Pangos All-American Camp in June where he was identified as an elite shot creator. Auburn, Florida, Illinois, and LSU are just a few of the high major programs hoping Abaev will join them.
(7’0 Mustapha Thiam of SE Elite, 6’7 Josh Lewis of Florida Rebels, 6’6 Dwayne Wimbley, Jr. of Nightrydas Elite, 6’8 Pat Johnson of SWFL Hoops, and 6’0 Jalen Reese of Florida Rebels each had multiple outstanding performances this spring and summer and were very much in the running for this award)
2026: Alex Constanza, Nightrydas Elite: The 6’8 wing from Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale continually drew praise from national outlets that took the time to venture into the EYBL 15U division. In the April live period, Constanza led the Nightrydas in all statistical categories with 17.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.5 bpg and 1.0 spg. For his efforts, Constanza was named to the First Team All-Sesson One and Third Team All-Session Two. What is interesting is that during his freshman year at Westminster, he seemed content to float on the perimeter and bomb away from three-point range. In the spring and summer, scouts were most impressed with Constanza’s ability to slash, finish at the rim in a crowd, and make mid-range shots. It would make sense for the Nightrydas to move Constanza and Gaskins up to 17U to provide depth as well as get their best prospects in front of the college coaches in 2024.
(6’2 Jayden Joseph of Team Breakdown, 6’7 Chris Washington of Florida Rebels, and 6’11 Marcis Ponder of Team Breakdown were conversation starters for this award)