Nike’s Junior Elite Youth Basketball League held its Southeast Region Session II at The Big House in Tavares this past weekend.  The league and event caters to the highest level of Middle School basketball talent in this part of the country.  Last year’s event featured the majority of ESPN’s first Top 25 for the Class of 2028.  Based on the talent we saw this past weekend, that trend will continue.

This first report will focus on the best players we saw that are natives of the Sunshine State.

Josiah Brooks, Nightrydas Elite: A 6’3 guard now at Miami Sports Leadership And Management Academy (SLAM), Brooks has played up on the EYBL 15U circuit all spring long and been highly successful.  It was no surprise that he stood out this past weekend as one of the top players in the event as he was simply bigger, stronger, and faster than the majority of his opponents.  What was impressive was his ability to take his game to another level.  With the NIghtrydas facing a twenty-point deficit late in the first half against an inferior opponent, Brooks led the second half charge to get the win, locking down on defense, creating and scoring off turnovers, and taking charge at the offensive end.  A strong driver and creative finisher at the basket, he also connects on open perimeter shots. He is already considered one of the better players nationally in the 2029 Class.

Zion Siler, Florida Rebels: A 6’3 wing out of The First Academy in Orlando, Siler routinely plays up on the 15U level and produces there.  We saw him do that just a week ago, so it wasn’t a surprise when he played well one level down.  Siler is solid at both ends of the floor.  He is a strong slasher, driver, and finisher at the rim.  He connects on open perimeter shots and is a good ball-handler and passer at this stage of his development.  Siler helps in the rebounding department at both ends, eagerly pursuing balls out of his area.  He defends with a passion, harassing opposing ball-handlers, disrupting passing lanes, and winning most every 50/50 ball contest.

Gavin Youmans, 904 Tre Mann Elite: The 6’4 wing out Jacksonville’s North Florida Educational Institute (NFEI) was a key factor in leading TME to a win in the event’s “Open” tournament and a spot in the JR EYBL Peach Jam in July.  While Youman’s shot consistency from the perimeter is a work-in-process at this time, he does everything else at a high level.  He is an excellent playmaker and the offense can be run through him.  Youmans is a strong driver and finisher, making good pass vs. shot decisions on the move.  He rebounds and plays with great energy at both ends of the court.

Chudier Diew, Florida Rebels: The 6’10 “big” out of North Broward Prep is tall and thin but is also athletic, aggressive, and plays with great energy.  Diew is very quick to help, recover, and protect the rim.  There was more than one occasion where he seemingly appeared out of nowhere to swat away an attempt near the goal.  Diew rebounds and changes ends quickly in transition.  He can score off one or two dribbles but is best when he can put back missed shots, catch and finish lobs around the basket, and/or catch the ball at or above his shoulders after a cut in the lane and quickly get the ball in the basket before the defense can get physical.

Cayden Gaskins, Nightrydas Elite: A 6’8 “wing in the making”, Gaskins, like Brooks, has been successful on the EYBL 15U circuit.  We say “wing in the making” as it is clear that Gaskins could simply overpower opponents inside with his strong frame and athleticism but he spent the vast majority of the two games we saw this weekend handling the basketball and playing on the perimeter.  Gaskins at times dominated from fifteen feet and in, scoring off one and two dribble drives or connecting on mid-range jumpers when the defense backed off.  Becoming a full-time wing will take time, patience, and a great deal of effort on the part of Gaskins as well as his coaches.  If done right, the results could be spectacular.

Jalil Hill, 904 Tre Mann Elite: A 6’8 forward from Jacksonville Providence, we noted Hill’s play over Memorial Day weekend playing up on the 16U level.  He is a good athlete for his size, hits shots facing the basket, is a lob threat in transition as well as in the half-court, and doesn’t often stray from his role.  Hill rebounds out of his area, is a solid rim protector, and has a decent degree of “switch-ability” when defending ball screens.

Niko Bossire, Florida Rebels: A 6’2 guard from Bradenton IMG Academy, he impressed at this event last year as a mere seventh grader and shows even more promise one year later.  Bossire is a strong and physical guard that is difficult to keep from getting to the basket.  He uses his strength well to keep defenders at a disadvantage and make shots through contact.  He didn’t attempt many perimeter shots but then again Bossire didn’t need to to be effective.  He rebounds the ball well and quickly pushes it up the floor once in his possession.  Bossire is a willing passer both in transition and when attacking the basket against set defenses.  He uses his strength well to keep opponents out of the lane and when rebounding against bigger opponents.

Zayden Garcia, 904 Tre Mann Elite: A 6’4 guard that played at Williston this past season, Garcia is an excellent perimeter shooter with the ability to play on or off the basketball.  He sees the floor well, delivers passes on time and on target, handles the ball well vs. pressure, and plays with a good feel for the game.  Garcia makes an impact as a grab-and-go rebounder on defense, is active and alert in the passing lanes, and is quick to advance the ball up the floor in transition.

Jaxson Smith, Nightrydas Elite: The 6’3 Miami native is a lengthy and lanky wing that does a little bit of everything.  Smith is a respectable perimeter shooter, can put the ball on the floor to get to and score in traffic at the basket, and help as a secondary ball-handler against extended defensive pressure.  He is an active rebounder and with his length and foot speed a player that can defend a variety of positions.

Brendan Fragela, Florida Rebels: A 5’11 guard at Miami Westminster Christian, Fragela proved to be effective at either guard spot.  He is a reliable shooter out to just past the arc, gets to and scores at the basket, and has good court vision and passing skills.  Fragela has a good feel for the game, knows when to push the pace and when to back off, and makes good shot vs. pass decisions on the move.  He works hard on the defensive end, makes it difficult for the opposing ball-handler to initiate offense, and plays the passing lanes well.

Enzo Lee, 904 Tre Mann Elite: A 5’10 guard from Jacksonville, Lee is speedy and scores well inside the arc.  His perimeter shot is solid and no doubt his ability to shoot and make the three-ball consistently will come in short order.  Lee hits mid-range jumpers, floaters, and tough finishes in traffic around the basket.  A ball-hawk on defense, he is quick to convert steals and loose balls into points at the other end.

Trey Griffin, Florida Vipers: A 5’11 guard from Palm Beach County, Griffin is thin but is a physically and mentally tough scoring threat on both sides of the arc.  He has a quick release and always seems to be shot ready when the ball comes his way.  Griffin isn’t shy about attacking the basket if the defense overplays him for the shot.  He is solid with the basketball in his hands, pushes the pace whenever possible, and puts in a good effort on the defensive end.