By Jordan Davidsen and Kennedy Lerner
ORLANDO – The Hoop Exchange Spring Player Showcase was a canvas for extraordinary talent. In this showcase, we bore witness to the convergence of talent, dedication, and sheer athleticism, as rising stars of the 2026/2027 class stepped into the spotlight to display their prowess on the court. The young group impressed scouts and media alike, including USA Basketball’s Don Showalter, who was especially taken with the pool’s level of talent. Each player brought their unique flair and signature moves, combining to form the most talented gym imaginable. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the young fellows who stood out over the course of the weekend:
THE GUARDS AND THE UNGUARDABLE
The name of the game this weekend was scoring. The showcase format gave us a great opportunity to see which underclassmen possess the best natural scoring abilities in a relatively unregulated atmosphere. Willie Burnett III (Palm Bay Magnet, 2026) had an incredible weekend, showcasing his dynamic isolation scoring and elite shot-making prowess. A lanky combo guard, Burnett reaffirmed that he is among the best pure scorers in the 2026 class. When it comes to blending size and skill, Florida’s most notable 2026 might be Landyn Colyer. A big guard with a fluid handle and downhill skills, Colyer adds value on the floor as a reliable catch-and-shoot option with deep range. With plenty of defensive upside, Colyer secured his position as one of Florida’s top guard/wing prospects in the state. Perhaps my favorite individual of the weekend, Rylan Kelly (SEPA, 2026) reveled in the rare home-court advantage at his native Southeastern Preparatory Academy gymnasium. A dynamic athlete in the open floor, Kelly dominated with his shot-making. Lights-out shooting from distance was the hallmark of Kelly’s game all weekend. He has the potential to develop into an elite two-way player over the next two years. It was great to see Joseph Hartman (The Rock, 2026) back to showcasing his skills on the biggest stage. The 6’5” guard demonstrated his varied offensive attack, which included long-range prowess and downhill smoothness. He has great control of pace with the ball in his hands and knows how to move without the ball effectively. When evaluating smooth guards, Jayden Joseph (West Oaks Academy, 2026) must be at the top of the list. Joseph’s control of pace in his isolation moves made defenders look outmatched all weekend. He makes the game look easy with his understanding of great attack spacing and ability to dissect defenses. Despite the abundance of lead guards, Joshua Theus (Orlando Christian Prep, 2026) stood out as a primary ball handler because of his offensive poise and maturity. Capable of scoring with anyone in the gym, Theus shined with his ability to make reads against the defense and attack the gaps, as well as showcasing his scoring ability at all three levels. Aaron McGee (Palm Bay Magnet, 2026) showed that while he’s known as a lights-out shooter, he can add a lot with his downhill attack and crafty finishes. With great on-ball upside and lateral fluidity, McGee will continue to develop into a true combo guard and should be a 2026 name to remember. Proudly representing the oft-forgotten Daytona Beach area, Nathan Kirk (Mainland, 2026) was a dominant guard threat throughout the whole event. Kirk, one of Florida’s best transition scorers and facilitators, felt right at home in the fast-paced format and was able to showcase his ability to impact as both a scorer and a primary ball handler/facilitator. The shiftier older brother to KJ, DJ Sandi (St. Thomas Aquinas, 2026) showed his ability to score in bunches as both a primary or secondary guard. A great shooter, Sandi adds a relentless downhill attack and a bag of tricks that highlights his masterful scoring IQ. His ability to alter pace and exploit defensive weaknesses made the game look easy when he played.
OUR FAVORITE WINGS
With ample transition play, wing players had the opportunity to showcase their transition scoring arsenals, including some of the rim-rattling dunks that defined the weekend. Among the most intriguing long-term wing prospects was Herly Brutus (Umatilla, 2026). A lockdown defender with 1-5 switchability, Brutus has made strides in developing his strength and athleticism. With a tight handle and excellent shot mechanics, Brutus proved he is easily one of the national 2026 class’s most versatile hoopers. Another dominant athlete, Angelo Moton (Leesburg, 2026), kept the gym energized all weekend with his spectacular dunks and standout play in transition. An impressive shooter, Stefan Frisby (Western, 2026) demonstrated that he could score with the best throughout the weekend. A solid option at the end of plays, Frisby also excelled as an all-ball defender, unafraid to challenge opponents full-court. One of the best two-way players in his class, Brisun Hammermeister (The Villages, 2026), showed his capabilities outside of his usual system at The Villages. With the ball in his hands, Hammermeister displayed a smooth turnaround jumper, dominant athleticism, and the ability to space the floor. He’s got plenty of two-way upside and will be a long-term serviceable three-and-D player.
Forced to play as a primary big man for St. Thomas Aquinas, it was great to see Zane Elliot (2026) back in his natural wing position. A great downhill scorer who uses his bulk effectively, Elliot also adds a soft perimeter touch and is an exceptional passer for his position. Oozing with upside, Brandon Brazell (Madison County, 2026) showcased a blend of length, lateral quickness, and athleticism. With further development of his motor and offensive intensity, Brazell is poised to excel against high-level competition. David Nealy (Stranahan, 2026) was lights-out from distance and used his broad shoulders to battle downhill against the best in the gym. Keep an eye on him this summer. Turning heads on Day 1 was the quickly nicknamed “big guard” Collin Paul (Calvary Christian-Ft. Lauderdale, 2026). With a better-than-average handle and some shooting chops, Paul looked like a guard trapped in a lanky 6’7” frame. With more fluidity and comfort in his body, Paul has the makings of an electric big primary ball handler with great IQ and offensive awareness. Despite his size, Isaiah Pina (South Lake, 2026) aimed to dunk everything he could throughout the weekend. An underrated prospect in his class, Pina possesses the athleticism and smoothness needed to be a high-level contributor at the guard/wing position. He can reliably shoot and looks to block everything on the defensive end. Outside of throwing down one of the event’s best dunks (a contested 180 in transition), Deandre Harvey (Williston, 2026) showed that his hard-nosed offensive style was hard to stop, even for Florida’s best defenders. His strength and bounce make him seem much larger than his 6’3” frame would suggest.
THE MENACE IN THE MIDDLE
Some of the most impressive recruits in the gym were the stellar big men from around the state. We were truly floored by the level of skill and physical tools these bigs brought to the event. Standing 7-feet tall and weighing nearly 300 pounds, Marcis Ponder (Overtime Elite/Cold Hearts, 2026) was the most unstoppable player in the gym. Mobile and strong, Ponder seemed to dunk every time he touched the ball. He was also a dominant shot blocker and showed some flashes of a reliable midrange jumper. With exceptional length and tremendous upside, Toni Bryant (North Tampa Christian, 2026) promises to be Tampa’s top recruit over the next two seasons. With an exceptional wingspan and great hands, Bryant has a smooth inside-out attack that complements his electrifying shot-blocking prowess. Another high-upside big man, Trace Westercamp (Ponte Vedra, 2026), was a dominant force. Unfazed by the many times he was called out in 4v4, Westercamp demonstrated his ability to switch onto guards with ease and even block shots from behind. He has improved his handle, further developed his midrange jumper, and capitalized on his size by enhancing his post footwork. Thriving in the fast-paced, isolation-heavy showcase style, Westercamp showcased where some big men struggled. Chaunce Stewart (McCarthy, 2026), with all the physical tools at 6’9” and 215 pounds, established himself as a commanding interior presence. He showed his ability to finish through contact and excel in the pick and roll, playing alongside great guards. Stewart is only going to improve as he becomes more comfortable with the ball in his hands and enhances his defensive awareness.
THE FAB FRESHMEN
We didn’t forget about the youngest guys! This event provided a fantastic opportunity to check out some of Florida’s best freshmen. Raw prospects are common in Florida, but Cherif Milago (Central Pointe, 2027) seemed poised beyond his years with his size and length. Still developing physically, Milago displayed impressive defensive timing, early footwork developments, and his ability to finish scoring plays on the block. As one of Florida’s best shooters regardless of class, KJ Sandi (St. Thomas Aquinas, 2027) is among the most confident shooters in the state. While he definitely made a mark from distance, Sandi really stood out by demonstrating developed confidence in his handle, playmaking abilities, and downhill scoring. Sandi also excels as an on-ball pest and is one of the most intriguing freshmen in the state. One of the standout players of Day 1 was Miguel Orbe (Miami Country Day, 2027). He lit up the gym with a game-winning shot in the first 5v5 of the day, a game where he made 5 three-pointers, just a small sample of what was to come over the course of the weekend. A great isolation scorer, Orbe showed some wiggle in his handle to add to his dominant perimeter stroke.
Another one of Florida’s best freshmen, Martay Barnes (Holy Trinity, 2027), displayed his ability to do it all at the point guard position. A capable scorer at all three levels, Barnes really excelled as a facilitator, on-ball defender, and electric, confident presence on both ends of the floor. Isolation scorers loved this event, and Damarri Young (San Jose Prep, 2027) was no exception. With a deep bag of tricks, Young left everything he had on the floor and showcased his ability to hit tough shots on the move and off the dribble.
Arguably the most impressive freshman of the event was Henry Robinson Jr. (Matanzas, 2027). Robinson is a mobile interior scorer with great athleticism and footwork for his age. As he continues to add other elements to his game, he will undoubtedly become one of the hardest players to stop in Florida because of his smoothness and interior strength.
