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 sophomore class.

Nmare Collins - Lake Highland Prep - 2028: The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has a combination skillset of size, speed, and athleticism. Collins plays with effort and energy around the rim on both ends of the floor, where he uses his physicality to battle on the glass against bigger players on both ends of the floor. On offense, Collins has a smooth release on his jump shot, where he can also expand his game into being a consistent threat from the perimeter. On the defense end, he uses his length when it comes to deflecting passes as well as making hustle plays. Collins’ versatile skillset should give him an early start in his recruitment.

Ezra Gelin - Sagemont - 2028: Gelin is a long and rangy two-way player who has made a ton of noise since he was an eighth grader. Gelin is a big guard who uses his size and strength to his advantage on the offensive end, as he can make an impact at the front of the rim as well as out on the perimeter. On defense, he is versatile, as he can guard positions 1 through 4, and he is unafraid when it comes to using his physicality. His court vision on both ends of the floor continues to improve as he is becoming more comfortable at the lead guard position.

Josiah Gillard - Dr. Phillips - 2028: Gillard is a shifty guard who can get to the rim in a variety of ways, whether it’s his movement off the ball or attacking downhill. He can also hurt you with his ability to shoot from behind the arc off the bounce, as well as the catch. On the defensive end, he has quick feet where he can stay in front of opposing guards and is very switchable to have the athleticism to challenge shots at the front of the rim. He is a high-level rebounder for his size, where he can push the basketball in transition as well as get to his spots within the half-court. Gillard is already hearing from San Diego and San Jose State, as his recruitment could take a big leap as we get towards the spring.

(6-4 SG) James Jenkins - DME Academy - 2028: The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is lethal on the offensive end, where he can score in a variety of ways. He can score under control at the front of the rim as well as stepping out into the mid-range, creating his own shot off the bounce. He is active on the boards on both ends of the floor, where on offense, he finishes with put-backs, and on defense, he does a good job when playing with his length, limiting the opposition from getting second-chance scoring opportunities. His two-way playmaking abilities, along with his versatility, continue to make an impact overall for himself as well as his teammates. Jenkins currently holds offers from Bethune- Cookman and McNeese State.

Derwyn Link - Bartow - 2028:  The 6-foot-6 wing plays with a ton of poise and energy on both ends of the floor. On offense, Link can knock down mid-range jump shots, three-pointers, and get to the front of the rim, where he plays with a ton of confidence. He is effective when it comes to the defensive side of the basketball as well, where his activity in the passing lanes remains a huge part of his game. He applies constant pressure when it comes to guarding the ball as well as being a high-level rebounder for his size. Link currently holds offers from Florida State, Long Island University, and Mississippi State. He has basketball in his bloodlines as he is the younger brother of former Seminoles and Orlando Magic guard Dwayne Bacon.

King McFadden - Tocoi Creek - 2028: The 6-foot-3 shooting guard consistently impacts the game with his athleticism, as well as being a threat to score at all three levels on the offensive end. On defense, he plays with toughness and physicality, where he is unafraid when it comes to guarding bigger players than him. He has taken huge strides in his overall game from his freshman season to this season, where he could possibly lead some high-major offers before the season comes to an end. His combination skillset of size, speed, athleticism, and a high motor could set some major aspirations for his team that is trying to reach the Final Four for a second consecutive year.

Chris Roberts - Parrish Community - 2028: The 6-foot-3 point guard is a slasher and facilitator on the offensive end, where he is at his best when it comes to attacking downhill and can finish effectively around the rim with either hand. He is a polished shooter when it comes to being effective in the perimeter game, where he can make defenders pay with his ability to play with space as well as off the catch. His recruitment is off to a strong start as well, where he has picked up offers from Cal State Northridge, Florida State, Jacksonville University, among others. Expect Roberts’ name to be talked about over the course of the next two years.

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.