A more in-depth look at some of the players that caught our attention on the first day of the Sun Bash Orlando event.
Caleb Sanders, North Tampa Christian: The 6’7 senior may not have been named the Player of the Game for his own team Monday night but from our vantage point he may have been the most productive performer of the night. His sixteen points were not only efficient but came in a variety of ways: mid-range jumpers, putbacks, three off the catch, steal and score, tough finishes in the paint were all part of his menu. Sanders was quick to share the ball on offense, resulting in open shots for teammates. He was also active on the glass and disruptive in the passing lanes.
Josh Lewis, Tampa Blake: The 6’7 senior made clear that his inclusion in the national top hundred in the national 2025 Class is warranted. From knocking down pull-up jump shots on either side of the arc to finishing drives in traffic (one thunderously) to making an impact on the offensive glass, Lewis kept his team in the game. He also made his presence felt on defense, tallying a trio of blocks. A one-time South Florida commit, Lewis has reopened his recruitment after the tragic and unexpected passing of the USF coach a month or so ago. No doubt he is a coveted late signee.
Toni Bryant, North Tampa Christian: The 6’10 junior is nationally coveted as a shot blocker, rim protector, and lob threat. Monday night he showed off a bit more of what he can do on the offensive end. He found a rhythm from behind the three point line, going four of five. Bryant did have a couple of attempts near the rim, all of them earning a trip to the foul line, where he finished 3-5. He got to defensive rebounds quickly and was seldom challenged at the rim on defense. Even so, Bryant still finished with three blocks on the night.
Josh Pitts, Oviedo The Master’s Academy: The 6’0 senior was in complete control the entire game against Eustis. Solid and strong, Pitts takes care of the basketball, is a tough driver and finisher, and very reliable from the foul line. He does a good job of finding and getting the ball to open perimeter shooters, rebounds well for his size and position and makes the intangible plays that leads to wins.
Micah Tabor, Oviedo The Master’s Academy: The 6’7 senior is a tough matchup. He has range on his shot to the arc, successfully attacks the basket with the dribble, and is quick to move the ball to open teammates. He has gotten noticeably stronger and more physical over the past year. Tabor can score down low if not played physically and is a good passer out of the high and low post areas.
Cornelius Hines, Eustis: For a stretch, the 6’6 senior had his way in the paint against The Master’s Academy. A high-level run/jump athlete, Hines consistently connected on shots from fifteen feet and in. Defensively, he can defend on the paint and out on the perimeter. Our unofficial count had him for six blocks in the contest. Some were straight up on the shooter while others had him coming from the help side to prevent points.
Pradd Maurice, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan: The Dragons are loaded with talent in the 2026 class but the player that the most consistent impact was this 6’5 junior. More than a bit on the thin side, Maurice was super productive in the limited minutes that he had due to the blowout nature of the game. He got to and finished offensive rebounds, ran the floor for scores, and used his length and quick leap to change and challenge shots.
Alexander Dipaola, Orlando Central Florida Christian Academy: The 6’5 junior simply got a lot of things done. He stretched the defense with his perimeter shot, ran the floor for scores, took advantage of mismatches inside and gave good effort when it came to defense and rebounding. Dipaola just seems to be one of those guys that makes good things happen thru effort and energy.
Julian DeClou, Orlando Central Florida Christian Academy: The 6’5 junior has some girth to him but also some nimble feet and good hands. DeClou has a nice touch down low but can step out and shot with consistency from fifteen feet. He is a good passer, both when outletting after a rebound or finding cutters in the lane. DeClou isn’t much of a run/jump athlete but he doesn’t have trouble getting up and down the floor or covering ground quickly on defense.
Cayden Gaskins, Melbourne Holy Trinity Episcopal: Listed as a 6’6 eighth grader, Gaskins is already a physical specimen and one can only imagine what he will be like in another four years. He only played in the second half of the contest against CFCA but it was enough to whet the appetite for any basketball aficionado. Gaskins showed a nice touch around the basket and eagerly pursed rebounds. There were time he looked a bit lost on the offensive end, but those moments will eventually disappear in the near future.
Jason Johnson, Tampa Blake: The 6’6 senior was a non-factor in the first half of the game against Orlando Edgewater but his play in the second half helped propel the team to victory. A solidly built athlete, Johnson found ways to get to the foul line (5-5), hit some perimeter shots, and secure rebounds in traffic on defense. He isn’t a guy that will go out and create his own offense but he moves well without the ball and makes the most of the offensive opportunities that come his way. Defensively, he moves his feet well, plays physically without fouling, and can defend multiple positions.
Brodey Cuffle, North Tampa Christian: The 6’6 junior opened up the game scorching from deep, going four of five from three-point range in the first half. He cooled down in the second half but by then the damage was done. A solid athlete, Cuffle competes well when chasing rebounds in a crowd at both ends of the floor. He takes care of the basketball and generally makes good decisions on offense.