OTR Hoops: City of Palms Classic Players to Watch- Part 1

FORT MYERS, Fla.- The 52nd Annual City of Palms Classic tips off December 18 and runs through December 23 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena, on the campus of Florida Southwestern State College.

The tournament will consist of reigning City of Palms champions Columbus High School, Montverde Academy, Wheeler (Georgia), Owasso (Oklahoma), Calvary Christian Academy (Florida), The Villages Charter (Florida), St. John Bosco (California), Prolific Prep (Florida), Paul VI (Virginia), Long Island Lutheran (New York), Bishop McNamara (Maryland), among others.

The tournament will also feature 80 ranked players, including 40 of them who have signed or committed to play Division-1 basketball.

Here are some of the top players to watch for the event.

2026 6-11 Center Marcis Ponder, Gillion Academy (Virginia)

The Florida State commit brings a dominant presence when it comes to playing on the interior, where he uses his size, strength, and athleticism to his advantage when it comes to playing on the glass. On the offensive end, he plays with great court awareness and uses his physicality to finish above the rim, whether it’s off two feet or off putbacks. His combination skillset of scoring, rebounding, and blocking shots should be a factor when he gets to the next level.

2026 6-8 SF Caleb Gaskins, Columbus (Florida)

The 6-foot-8 senior small forward and Miami commit is a dynamic athlete with strong hands who can finish anywhere within the half-court, whether it’s off the catch or bounce. His length and athleticism continue to improve on both sides of the court, where he can jump passing lanes as well as alter shots at the front of the rim. He is also a high-level rebounder from the guard position, as well as play with a ton of versatility, where he can guard all five positions.

2027 6-2 PG Nasir Anderson, Prolific Prep (Florida)

The 6-foot-2 point guard plays with consistent confidence when it comes to getting downhill on the offensive end. His ability to change direction and pace on the move has improved, whether it is getting by defenders or creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Defensively, he plays with a ton of energy and effort, where his quickness allows him to guard on and off the ball at a high level. Anderson can be effective in a variety of ways with his leadership.

2027 6-0 PG Cayden Daughtry, Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale)

The 6-foot junior point guard plays with great poise and feel for the game, where he can shoot from well behind the three-point line. He can also finish at the front of the rim while absorbing contact, as well as getting to the free-throw line. On the defensive end, Daughtry plays with quick feet and is able to beat the opposition to the spot as well as force turnovers with his quick hands. He gives his teammates a chance to win every time he is on the floor.

2027 6-8 PF Brandon Woodard, Bishop McNamara (Maryland)

The 6-foot-8 junior power forward is able to score with and without the basketball in his hands, where he can create openings as well as fill in lanes in transition on the offensive end. He is also able to get out into the perimeter, where he can connect from behind the three-point line when given space and time. On the defensive end, he is very active, whether it’s his play above the rim or in the passing lanes; he can force turnovers, leading to scores on the offensive end.

2026 6-7 SF Bruce Branch III, Prolific Prep (Florida)

The 6-foot-7 small forward remains one of the highly-ranked players in the upcoming class. Since his re-classification from 2027 to 2026, Branch plays with a ton of length, where he can be effective inside as well as outside. He plays with a ton of poise and can be a consistent threat on all three scoring levels on the offensive end. Branch plays with a ton of size, length, and fluidity on the defensive end, where he has a wingspan reaching over 7-feet.

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