OTR Hoops: 2027 Prospects on the Rise in Florida (Part 2)

We have reached the midway point of the 2025-2026 high school basketball season across the state of Florida. Here are some of the top prospects trending upwards in this year’s junior class.

Kellan Cantrell - Southeastern Preparatory Academy - 2027: Cantrell plays with a ton of explosiveness, where he has one of the smoothest shooting strokes in the state for his position. On offense, he has a lightning-quick release when it comes to being effective out on the perimeter as well as using his burst of speed at the point of attack, where he can finish around the rim. On defense, he uses his length and athleticism, where he can guard positions 1 through 3 at a high level and can be very efficient in the passing lanes, where his energy feeds off his teammates. His defensive awareness and ability to create on the offensive end can dictate the game in a variety of ways. Look for a big burst in Cantrell’s recruitment before his junior season comes to an end.

Dwight “DJ” Gaines - Westminster Academy - 2027: Gaines is known for his elite speed, toughness, physicality, and the ability to play at a high level on both ends of the floor. On offense, he can create ways for himself to score as well as set his teammates up for success. From his sophomore season to this season, he has learned to orchestrate the offense from the lead guard position, as well as being an elite rebounder for his size. On defense, he has grown into his own, where he can guard on and off the ball at an elite level using his length and athleticism to pursue the passing lanes. With his two-way playmaking skills and being disciplined on both ends of the floor, Gaines has emerged as one of the top guards in the state for his class.

Gabe Grimsley - Berkeley Prep - 2027: Grimsley is a determined guard who can score in a variety of ways whenever the basketball is in his hands. He is lethal when it comes to shooting from the mid-range and has grown his game into being a perimeter scoring threat as well. On the defensive end, he is a pest who can be active when guarding the ball as well as applying heavy pressure in the passing lanes. Grimsley is well on his way to having a major impact on his team, where he could draw a ton of attention from college coaches before his junior season comes to an end.

Cooper LaSalle - Gateway Charter - 2027: LaSalle doesn’t need to be the team’s primary ball-handler to make an impact on the offensive end. He excels in pick-and-pop situations where he can make defenders pay with his limitless range out on the perimeter. He is also productive when it comes to attacking the basket, where he draws contact and gets to the free-throw line on numerous occasions. His energy and effort on the defensive end have also taken a huge improvement from his sophomore season to this season, where he is active in the passing gaps as well as improving as a rebounder. His two-way playmaking skills could draw a lot of attention from college coaches as he is poised to have a huge second half to the season.

Samfree Sarante - Miami Palmetto - 2027: Sarante is a smooth three-level scorer who can be effective when he has the basketball in his hands as a primary guard or the ability to play the off-guard position. He shows great poise and timing when it comes to setting off a great shot on the offensive end. On the defensive end, he uses his frame to his advantage, whether it’s coming off ball screens or his activity in the passing lanes. He has positioned himself as a reliable two-way player who could draw a ton of looks from college coaches before his junior season finishes out.

Donovan Swain - Coral Glades - 2027: Swain does a great job when it comes to controlling the offense as well as playing with pace, and his footwork when finishing at the point of attack continues to throw defenders off balance. On the defensive end, he stays active and disruptive when guarding on the ball, where he creates steals for scoring chances. His two-way playmaking abilities have drawn attention from numerous coaches, where he continues to be a consistent threat every time he steps onto the floor. He is one of the more intriguing guards to watch in the class, where his upside continues to rise.

Jonathan Watts - Riviera Prep - 2027: Watts is an excellent rim runner when it comes to playing in the transition offense, where he utilizes his height and length to his advantage when finishing in the paint. He is also very skilled when it comes to attacking the basket, where he battles for rebounds on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he plays with a ton of speed and is versatile, where he can guard multiple positions as well as cause havoc for opposing guards. Look for Watts to have a major recruitment as we get near the end of the season, and could draw a ton of national attention as the spring and summer near.

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.