GAINESVILLE, FL – As the live period picks up, players are shifting focus from showing out in AAU play to representing their high schools in June team camps. One of the largest team camps in Florida, the FBCA Team Camp run by the Florida Basketball Coaches Association, brought out some of Florida’s best teams and players. This event offered additional opportunities to watch some of Florida’s best players and also a chance to find some new talent that has blossomed since team play stopped in March of this year. Here are some of the top players from this year’s first FBCA session.
BIG NAMES WITH BIG GAMES
Some of Florida’s most well-known players continued to affirm their place as stalwarts in the Florida basketball scene with some great play. Two of the weekend’s biggest standouts were 2025s Christian Maxon and Christopher Maxon. The twins, who have garnered much interest on social media since middle school, have blossomed into legitimate prospects. The Fort Pierce Central guards now stand at 6-2 and have put on muscle, which was one of their biggest setbacks in their early years. Add that to being two of the best shooters in the gym, and we’ve seen these two talented prospects become competitive, high-level players. 2024 Elyjah Freeman of Wellington continued his breakout summer, as he demonstrated his ability to masterfully blend his role as a forward and point guard. With an intriguing build at 6-6 and incredibly long, Freeman has developed additional ball skills that make him lethal on the floor. 2025 Brisun Hammermeister recently transferred to The Villages, and is beginning to get a feel for the game there. His athleticism and lights out shooting will make him a key floor spacer and dunk threat as the Buffaloes try to take their young core deep into the state playoffs.
POST PLAYERS POPPING OUT
In a game that has seen a decrease in the popularity of the traditional big man, the FABC presented an opportunity to watch Florida’s top bigs who have old school swagger. IMG Gold’s 2024 Jackson Martin has been a rare multi-year staple for the Ascenders. The 6-10 mobile post has broad shoulders and incredible size while maintaining high-level footwork and a soft touch around the basket. 2025 Tim Winkler, of IMG Blue, was a young, lanky forward with a relentless downhill attack. His awareness is off the charts, making him an effective triple threat: scorer, passer and defender. 2025 big Terrence “TJ” Drain was one of the weekend’s biggest stock raisers. The 6-8 big showed much improved footwork and post awareness, while also flashing some shooting prowess. The lefty midrange jumper was clean, and his rebounding tenacity was noticed by everyone in the gym. Drain looks legit and will be a huge benefit for Windermere this season. Gibbs’ Bobby Anderson is a 6-7 athlete with a relentless motor and insane heart. The charismatic big was an effective interior threat with long arms and a consistent defender. He’s grown a lot from last year and can still rely on his insane athleticism when he needs to.
NEW GUYS IN TOWN
Some new faces on new teams turned heads in the gym over the weekend. 2024 transfer guard Chalier Torres was a huge jolt for Windermere as they had an impressive undefeated weekend. The 6-4 guard is a strong yet quick guard with a decent first step and a great perimeter shot. He impressed with his ability to lead the offense and finish in traffic or transition. Belen Jesuit 2027 guard Orlando Roche stood out in a Belen system that plays tough team basketball. The incoming freshman was more aggressive than his teammates and unafraid to go to the basket and draw fouls. Despite being so young, Roche showed he had the tenacity to compete at a consistently competitive program. Alex Dipaolo, a 6-4 2026 guard from Hagerty, was arguably the best shooter of the weekend. The incoming sophomore has a high release point that gets off smooth and quick despite an unorthodox form. He’s a reliable passer and quality defender with a high IQ. He’ll be able to quickly energize the Hagerty offense in a variety of ways this season.
