We continue to highlight some of the better performances from the Class of 2025 at this past weekend’s Source Hoops Spring Tip-Off at The Big House in Tavares.
Landon Joseph, Team Speights: The 6’3 junior from Oakland Park Northeast just outside Fort Lauderdale had a very good outing in the team’s lone game at the event. Joseph showed an ability to create and make perimeter shots on both sides of the arc, good ball skills in terms of dribbling and passing, and an ability to sneak inside to put back offensive rebounds. Joseph appears wired to score but had some moments where he showed he could orchestrate an offense. He’s an alert defender that knows how to use his length and quickness to maximum effect.
Romie Cosby, Born to Win: A 6’0 junior at Tallahassee Rickards, Cosby is an athletic scorer that caused headaches for defenses. He is very quick with the ball, an excellent run/jump athlete, and finds creative ways to get by defenders. His perimeter shot is enough of a weapon that defenders have to respect it. Cosby gets into the paint and generally makes good shot vs. pass decisions when the defense collapses on him. He is quick to push the ball in transition, weaving through players in the open court, then challenging any remaining defenders to stop his attack. Cosby puts in the same type of effort on defense, challenging ball-handlers and making passes difficult.
Mason Fontaine, Iren Rainey Premier: A 6’2 junior at Kissimmee Osceola, Fontaine was raining threes down on opponents in the game we watched on Saturday. He was 4 of 5 in the first half and while they were all off the catch, Fontaine knows where to be as the ball moves and is always shot ready. He gets the ball up quickly and his range extends well past the high school line. Fontaine drew a lot more attention in the second half and cooled off just a bit but he was able to do other things. He keeps the ball moving on offense, doesn’t overuse his dribble, and moves without the ball. Fontaine puts in a solid effort on the defensive end and makes his opponent work for any points he might get.
Nayvin Perez, OJBA Elite: A 6’4 junior at The Academy of Central Florida, Perez has a deep bag of tricks when it comes to scoring. He’s a slasher and once he gets into the basket area (six feet or less from the rim), Perez knows how to patiently use pivots and fakes to get defenders out of position and open up a path for a shot. On more than one occasion he somehow was able to get defenders that were once in front of him and get them either beside or behind him and score an uncontested basket. Perez likes to play at a fast pace, rebounds well for his size, and plays hard at both ends of the floor. He did not take a perimeter shot in the game we watch, so that is something check on the next we get to see Perez in action.
Iyran Francis, Born to Win: A 6’7 junior at Florida High in Tallahassee, Francis is an old-school, blue collar, energetic player that plain outworks his opponent. A lithe and lengthy leaper, he is quick off the floor to grab rebounds at both ends and challenge shots on defense. Francis has the physical tools to step out and defend smaller players on the perimeter should the need to switch arise. He is fast up and down the floor, getting easy scores in transition, putbacks, and finishing lobs at the rim. His perimeter skills are a work-in-progress, but his activity and production in the paint cannot be ignored.
Nick Murrmann, FOTL Gold: A 6’5 junior at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Murrmann has a smooth game, highlighted by his ability to knock down three-point shots. He gets his feet set quickly, and is always prepared to receive the ball and shoot in one smooth motion. While Murrmann didn’t attack the basket much with the drive, he did make some good plays on the move, finding open teammates and forcing defenders to help and rotate. A bit on the thin side but a good athlete, Murrrman held his own when it came to rebounding the basketball in his area.
Mario Forbes, Born to Win: A 6’7 junior from St. John Paul II in Tallahassee, Forbes is a bit undersized to play inside at the next level but he has great footwork and touch when he gets the ball in the lane. He has quick moves, can score over either shoulder, and is quick to grab his own miss and get the ball into the bucket. More of a quick riser than high riser, Forbes has good timing when it comes to rebounding and blocking shots. He has the needed length and footspeed to defend players on the perimeter when called upon. As his perimeter skills become more refined, Forbes will become an even bigger problem for opponents.
Lucas Boyd, Game Speed Elite: A 6’2 sophomore playing up, the Windermere High School product was solid in his play. He connected on open perimeter shots and attacked the basket when given the opportunity. Boyd didn’t always finish his forays to the rim but as he physically matures and gains strength he will most likely earn “and one” opportunities. While not yet showing true point guard instincts, Boyd makes good decisions with the ball and keeps it moving on offense. He’s solid on the defensive end, doing all he can to keep in front of the dribbler and also being prepared to help when the ball comes into his area.
Isaiah Medina, Team Speights: A 7’0 junior at St. Petersburg Gibbs, Medina looks like he has added strength and weight since we saw him just a couple of months ago. This allowed him to be a more effective scoring option inside. Medina is catching the ball cleaner, feeling the defense, and then making a quick move to score over smaller players. At his size, he will always be a lob threat and get many putback chances over the course of a game. Medina moves up and down the court well for a guy his size. He is difficult to score over in the lane.