OTR Hoops News: 2028 Breakout Players to Watch in Florida During 2025-2026 Season- Part 1 – November 6, 2025

OTR Hoops News: 2028 Breakout Players to Watch in Florida During 2025-2026 Season- Part 1

By: Ross Van De Griek

2028 6-5 SG Nijaun Harris, St. Petersburg

Harris is a physical guard who is often double-teamed when he has the ball in his hands. Harris plays with a huge frame, allowing him to finish over smaller defenders at the rim with either hand, as well as get to his spots in the mid-range. On the defensive end, he uses his strength and length when it comes to guarding out on the perimeter as well as the interior. Harris already holds offers from California, Florida International, Florida State, and others as he heads into his sophomore season.

2028 6-6 SG Camden Cooper, Nease

Cooper is a multi-versatile prospect who can play all five positions on both the offense and defensive side of the ball. He is hard-nosed and plays with a ton of physicality on the defensive end, where he will bump you off the dribble and led the team in charges taken last season as a freshman. On the offensive end, he can score on all three levels, where he has already eclipsed the 1,500-point milestone, and he can set many Northeast Florida records by the time his senior season comes to an end.

2028 6-1 CG James Ratteree, Bartow

Ratterree is a two-way player who can make an impact in a variety of ways, whether it’s his shot blocking ability on the defensive end or his three-level scoring ability on the offensive end. He doesn’t necessarily need the basketball in his hands on offense to make an impact, as he can punish defenders off the catch as well as being a high-level rebounder for his size. His high energy and vocality on the defensive end will be a factor this season. His jump shot has gained a ton of consistency, where he can create his own shot off the bounce as well as the catch.

2028 6-2 SG Corey Capps, The First Academy (Orlando)

Capps can make an impact on the offensive end, where he is an inside-out shooter, and he averaged 15.6 points per game last season as a freshman. He has grown himself into becoming one of the more consistent perimeter shooting threats in the state, where he shot 40% from behind the arc last season. On the defensive end, he plays with a high motor and can guard multiple positions, making timely reads in the passing lanes as well as being an above-average rebounder for his size.

2028 5-9 PG Jackson Bird, Osceola (Pictured at Top)

Bird is a bona fide three-level scorer who can play off the ball as well as being his team’s primary ball-handler. He can push the basketball in transition as well as having a high IQ to make plays in the half-court. On the defensive end, Bird is a disruptor and plays with a ton of physicality, where his instincts constantly cause havoc, as well as having the athleticism to cover the passing lanes. He is already separating himself from the rest of the guards in his class with his leadership on the floor, as well as forcing the opposition into taking tough shots.

2028 6-7 SG Ethan Mott, Grandview Prep

Mott is a long and wiry player who can play multiple positions on both ends of the floor. Mott can get into the passing lanes, forcing steals and deflections as well as play in the interior, where he can alter shots using his length and athleticism. His offensive game still needs a little more consistency, where he can get to the front of the rim, but building a more confident jump shot and mid-range game will be the next phase in Mott’s offensive game.

2028 6-3 SG Christopher Roberts, Parrish Community

Roberts is an athletic and quick guard who can get to his spots on the offensive end, where he can finish downhill and dunk through traffic. His three-point shooting has drastically improved from the summer leagues until now, where he can be a consistent threat playing off the catch as well as the bounce. On the defensive end, he is becoming one of the top on-the-ball defenders in the state. His vocality and ability to jump the passing lanes are what separate him from most guards in his class. Roberts can check a lot of boxes this season as he is already hearing from multiple Power 4 schools such as Arizona State, Florida State, Virginia Tech, and several others.

Ross Van De Griek has been a Southeast Region Scout & Writer for On the Radar Hoops since 2024. He has been involved in basketball scouting with stops at Prep Hoops since 2022. You can follow him on X @RossVDG14 or reach him via email at rossvdg14@gmail.com