OTR Hoops: 2029 Prospects to Watch This Spring (Part 2)

The Grassroots season is approaching, and we will be breaking down some of the top players to watch in their respective classes. Here are some of the top freshmen to watch for this upcoming spring and summer.

Josiah Brutus - Edgewater (Florida) - 2029: Brutus is a lead guard who can get to his spots, whether it’s his ability to be the primary ball-handler or play off the ball. On offense, he uses his physicality to get to the front of the rim, as well as being able to connect on mid-range jumpers at a high clip. On the defensive end, he has elite footwork and plays with continuous effort. Brutus understands how to impact the game in a variety of ways, where his continued growth will be exciting to watch over the course of the next three years.

Preston Elliott - Laurel Hill School (Florida) - 2029: Elliott is a true stat-sheet stuffer on both ends of the floor, where on the offensive end, he is consistently finishing at the front of the rim in attack mode. He also has a smooth shooting stroke when it comes to his perimeter game, as he can knock down deep threes from anywhere within the half-court. On the defensive end, he is long and plays with a high motor, where he blocks shots and gets into the passing lanes at a high level. His potential is high, as he is already picking up mid-major offers.

Malachi Fernandez - Williston (Florida) - 2029: Fernandez can impact the game in a variety of ways, whether it’s his athleticism or length. He is a pest when it comes to battling on the glass on both ends of the floor, whether it’s finishing at the rim on the offensive end or getting out in transition. He plays with constant energy, as well as being able to be a disruptor in the passing lanes. Fernandez views himself as a two-way prospect with elite potential, as he could draw a ton of attention to himself with three years of high school basketball still to play.

Camryn Lee - The Villages Charter (Florida) - 2029: Lee has grown to become more comfortable in the lead guard position, where his maturity surpasses his years as he makes strong, crisp, and accurate passes on the move, as well as making smart decisions regarding his shot selection. On defense, he can guard multiple positions with his quickness and athleticism to get into the passing lanes. His high motor enables him to defend at the front of the rim, where he is unafraid to take on challenging shots. With his two-way playmaking, Lee could open eyes for college coaches this spring.

Delan Montgomery - Miami Country Day (Florida ) - 2029: Montgomery plays with poise and precision on the offensive end, where he knows when to take control from the lead guard position. His high IQ allows him to be a facilitator, where he makes strong passes to open teammates off of dribble drives. On the defensive end, his length and athleticism allow him to guard multiple positions, where he can play above the rim as well as close out shooters on the perimeter. Montgomery has proved to himself that he can be a key contributor on both ends of the floor. He currently holds offers from Florida State and Troy University but can expect that list to grow over the course of the next few years.

Zion Siler - The First Academy (Orlando, Florida) - 2029: Siler is fearless and plays with a high motor on both ends of the floor. On offense, he can finish at the point of attack against stronger and bigger defenders at the front of the rim, where he is unafraid to finish through contact. He can also change the momentum of a game, where he can shoot from the perimeter at a high rate. On defense, he is versatile, as he can guard positions 1 through 4 using his strength and athleticism to his advantage. His combination skillset, including his high motor, strength, and athleticism, could open the doors for college coaches to get an early head start in his recruitment. He currently holds a Division-I offer from Southern Miss to play football.

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.