OTR Hoops: City of Palms Classic Players to Watch- Part 3

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, as well as Montverde Academy (Florida), 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 6-5 CG Felipe Quinones, Christopher Columbus (Florida)

The 6-foot-5 senior combo guard has become more reliable when he has the basketball in his hands, getting comfortable in his spots on the offensive end. He has shown more consistency when finishing at the front of the rim and drawing contact. Quinones has also improved drastically on the defensive end with his ability to jump the passing lanes, getting timely rebounds, as well as using his length to alter shots at the front of the rim. His versatility speaks high volumes with the ability to guard all five positions. Quinones has signed to play collegiate basketball at Florida Atlantic University next season.

2027 6-2 PG Johnny Lackaff, Sarasota (Florida)

The 6-foot-2 junior point guard has a smooth and consistent jump shot where he can connect off the catch as well as the bounce. His ability to set defenders off balance with his shiftiness and change of direction has improved as well. His ability to move off the ball has taken huge strides as well, where he can get to his spots as well as attacking closeouts with a ton of confidence. Defensively, he has great body positioning where he can fight off screens without losing his man, as well as providing great help-side defense when needed. Lackaff has already received offers from Bradley, Duquesne, Florida State, and Samford, where many more schools will be calling his name before his high school career concludes.

2027 6-8 SF Jomar Bernard, The Villages Charter (Florida)

The 6-foot-8 junior forward is an excellent rim-runner in transition, where he consistently beats defenders off the bounce. Bernard can score on all three levels, whether it’s at the front of the rim, the mid-range, or out on the perimeter when given the appropriate time and space. Defensively, he uses his length and athleticism to his advantage, whether it's cutting off the passing lanes, generating steals, or deflections. He has elite footwork for his height, and he will continue to make an impact on both ends of the floor in a variety of ways.

2026 6-7 SF Herly Brutus, The Villages Charter (Florida)

The LSU signee is a big wing that has a ton of explosiveness in his game, whether it’s finishing off at the front of the rim on the offensive end or getting timely blocked shots on the defensive end. He also has excellent foot speed for his size, where he runs the floor exceptionally well and can be very versatile where he is often at times guarding multiple positions. He is a high-IQ player who is unafraid when it comes to challenging shots against players bigger than him, as he can defend above the rim without fouling.

2026 6-8 PF Collin Paul, Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale)

The 6-foot-8 senior power forward and Florida State signee has a strong knack when it comes to scoring on all three levels. He is most effective when it comes to blowing by defenders and finishing at the front of the rim at the point of attack. He is naturally a post-player, but can play the guard position with his smooth handle and ability to shoot from the perimeter. On the defensive end, Paul has grown into a more versatile role where he can guard multiple positions with his length and athleticism. He is a well-rounded prospect who I can see making an immediate impact at the next level.

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