Best of the Best Florida Elite Showcase: Middle School

Best of the Best Florida Elite Showcase: Middle School

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

BRADENTON, FL – The best middle school basketball players from across the state of Florida poured into IMG Academy on a mission. Each was looking to show why it was one of the best players in their class. The players were from the classes of 2024-2027.

This is the last showcase event for these youngsters until the spring. Many of these players improved throughout the travel basketball season. There were also some new faces who made sure many knew their name at the end of the event.

Here are some of the names that stood out:

Myles Kirby | 2024 | IMG Academy

The Atlanta native was impressive throughout. He is a long lanky player capable of playing at least four positions on the floor right now. His skill set makes him difficult to defend on the perimeter. Kirby’s athleticism helped him display his ability to play defense on any position on the floor. His ceiling is high. He looks like current NBA player Will Burton. Let’s see how much changes his game over time.

Xavier Porter | 2024 | Lincoln Memorial Academy

He is a bruiser with skills. The 6-foot-2 forward has a high motor and an aggressive rebounder, which is rarely seen by many players his age. Porter has a knack for getting the rebound regardless of where he is on the floor or either end for that matter. When he does gather the rebound, he is skilled enough to push the ball up the floor. Once of the offensive end, Porter shows his ability to finish around the rim with a soft touch while also displaying excellent footwork. His game resembles that of current NBA player PJ Tucker.

Gerard O’Keefe | 2024 | IMG Academy

The ability to shoot and handle the basketball is always exceptional for any young player. However, when you pour in confidence and size it is hard to stop. This is exactly what O’Keefe did the entire time at the showcase. He attacked the rim with ease, while also knocking down shots from all over the floor. His ability to handle the ball allowed him to wiggle his way through traffic and pressing players. O’Keefe’s game resembles that of NBA player Doug McDermott.

Julian Granville | 2024 | Montverde Academy

Every time he has stepped on the court there is something new in the bag for him to show doubters or new evaluators. The New Jersey native keeps the ball on a string through all pressure. It can be a little loose but he manages to keep it under control in the most critical moments. He finishing package around the rim is impressive for a young man his age finishing with either hand. His ability to shiftiness keeps defenders off balance and confused. When they play off of him he can hit the jumper from any where around the court. Granville continues to show why he is one of the more talked about players in his class. His game resembles that of NBA player Frank Jackson.

Dylan Higgins | 2024 | Nolan Middle

He is not the most imposing playing in his class. This 5-foot-11 player was the most effective with his opportunity on the court. Higgins lunch pale mentality allowed him to just play ball. He was always in the mix on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he was always in the open court finishing with either hand and creating scoring opportunities for others. Defensively, he did not shy away from contact and occasionally out rebounding taller players. His game resembles that of NBA player Alex Caruso.

Jaylen Robinson | 2024 | Green Cove

This 6-foot-4 player was the talk of the showcase. Few people knew who the Jacksonville native was before coming in and playing. His play left many enamored with his game, Robinson can finish in the open floor well. He bangs with anyone looking to flex on him. His long arms allowed him to cradle rebounds from all over the floor and finish around the rim with ease. He rotates well on defense causing chaos disrupting opponents. His game resembles that of NBA player Glenn Robinson.

Brennen Ingle | 2024 | Port Charlotte Middle

This young man is a scoring machine. He fills up the basket at a high rate. His ability to use angles enables him to finish in traffic with either hand. He can also shoot the ball effortlessly. His game resembles that of NBA player Kyle Guy.

Christopher Jimenez | 2024 | Oakridge Middle

The lunch bag approach by this 5-foot-11 player is all you need to know on his approach to the game. Jimenez mixed it up on either end of the floor. He was a ball of energy and never tired. Jimenez dove for loose balls and hustled on every possession. His game did not wither on the offensive end. He shot the ball well and crashed the offensive boards with a purpose. His game resembles that of NBA player Grayson Allen.

Jordan Tillery | 2024 | Legacy Middle

Being a handful to opponents is becoming a skill. This is exactly what Tillery was to every opponent any chance he stepped on the court. He used his 6-foot-2 frame punish defenders inside. Defensively, he secured rebounds in traffic. Offensively, he finished around the rim with ease. He absorbed contact on either end with minimal complaint. Tillery also showed off his court vision dropping off some timely passes to teammates in scoring position. The combination of size, aggression, soft touch around the rim and effort resembles that of NBA player Kevin Love.

Isaiah Raymond Hayes | 2024 | Oak Grove Middle

The first impression in watching this young man was his size. He is only 6-foot-1 right now but has broad shoulders and wide lower body. This allowed him to eat up space in the paint. Defenders were hanging all over him for strong finishes. He moves his feet well on both ends of the floor. His game resembles that of NBA player Nene.

Noah Youngblood | 2024 | Mater Academy

This wiry young fella was so shifty in the open floor. He was able to cut through defenders in the open court like the cartoon character Flash. Defenders were scrabbling to catch-up when he had the ball in his hand. His long limbs helped him lock down opponents. Offensively, his angles opened up scoring opportunities for everyone. His play resembles that of NBA player Jalen Brunson.

Jamier Jones | 2025 | Lincoln MIddle

The boom sent around the gym was delivered by him. HIs dunk in one of the games set the players in a frenzy. At 6-foot-4, Jones dropped the hammer while driving down the lane in the open court, which surprised everyone. This was just one way he displayed his athleticism. He also rebounded well out of his area. The game is beginning to come to him. Jones is attacking the rim well finishing with both hands. His play resembles that of NBA player Marcus Morris.

Jalen Reece | 2025 | Lockhart

He continues to show growth on the floor as a floor leader. This floor general handles the basketball with confidence. He is aware how to set the tempo os use angles to achieve what he is trying to do. Reece never looks rattled under pressure. His court vision is compatible with some Elite level athletes. Reece’s game will continue to develop as you can see the time put in the gym is paying off. His play resembles that of NBA player Kyle Lowry.

Yangel Malpica | 2025 | Narcoossee Middlde

Size did not matter to this young fella. He played with a swag that was unmatched by anyone on the court. His speed was the first impressionable cutting through the defenders while pushing them ball up the court in a rapid pace. Just when a defender would think of getting in front of him, Malpica blew right past them. Once in the open court, he was a magician with the basketball. He delivered crowd pleasing assists to teammates from any part of the floor. His ability to finish at the rim with either hand. When he wasn’t doing that he was being a menace to opponents on defense. His game resembles that of NBA player JJ Baerga.

Justin Snell | 2025 | Florida Virtual

This left-handed sniper has a knack for scoring the basketball. He is capable of filling it up from any where on the floor. Snell is a wiry scorer who can hit jumpers from every where on the floor. His range is impressive for a player of his age. He never looks like he is forcing the ball. In the open floor, he p-lays with a bounce and an edge which is rarely synonymous with scorers. His game resembles that of NBA player Alonzo Trier.

Christopher Maxon | 2025 | Southern Oaks 

He knows how to create a direct path to the rim. His toughness in getting into the lane is something that has improved since August. He has a solid basketball IQ and never looks rushed with good court vision. His game resembles that of NBA player Luke Kennard.

Adam Lipscomb | 2025 | Farnell Middle

His motor on the court was impressive. He played every angle and every possession as if it was his last. On a team loaded with scorers, his energy helped him secure rebounds in every aspect. This is a skill most players do not want to do and he did it effectively. His game resembles that of NBA player Justin Holiday.

Christian Maxon | 2025 | Southern Oaks

Shooters shoot. This is where Maxon is at his best. When he is open the young fella knocks it down, If that does not happen, he understands how to make ways to the basket or pulls up for a mid-range jumper. He is in constant movement to find an open space. His game resembles that of NBA player JJ Redick.

Rashif Sinkfield | 2025 | Orange Grove Middle

This shifty young fella was impressive with his court vision and ability to handle the ball. He had the ball on a string and danced through defense. His game resembles that of NBA player Michael Conley.

Austin Strouble | 2025 | Windermere Prep

As a highly skilled player, Strouble is a shooter who rarely misses. His scope is locked and loaded. He hits contested jumpers or some just outside of the high school range. His game resembles that of Kyle Korver.

Lyrique Sartin | 2025 | Liberty Middle

This guard is a magician with the rock in his hands. He is fun to watch with the ball in his hand. His ability to handle pressure was impressive considering the attention defenses were giving him. He managed to score with an impressive layup package. His gam resembles that of NBA player Ricky Rubio.

MJ Ward | 2025 | Coleman Middle

Is a shifty defender. This is interesting to say because it is a word normally used for offensive moves. Ward does that in the open floor on offense but is a relentless defender. He can score as well in every possible way too. His game resembles that of NBA player Malik Beasley.

Zain Majeed | 2026 | IMGA Academy

When you see him on the basketball court his size is impressive but then you take a look at his game one leave mesmerized. At 6-foot-1, this young man is skilled enough to handle the ball on the perimeter and in the open court. He has a strong mid-range jumper. Inside, he has excellent footwork to be effective in the paint. His game resembles that of NBA player Nikola Jokic.

Antwain Tennell Jr. | 2026 | South Sumter Middle

This little fella is a high major competitor. He refuses to accept mediocrity. Tennell has a laser focus on the court. He attacks like a shark hunting for a meal and finishing from anywhere on the floor. Tennell is locked in defensively where opponents are baffled. His game resembles that of NBA player Eric Bledsoe.

Dwayne Foreman III | 2026 | Clermont Middle

Showed tremendous hustle and skill on the floor. He knows how to score through traffic despite contact. His game resembles that of NBA player Reggie Jackson.

Jacob Trenchfield | 2026 | Pines Charter

When it comes to a player digging in on either end of the floor, you will find this young fella. Trenchfield just makes opponents re-consider putting the ball on the floor around him because of his defensive presence. He refuses to give up any space. His game resembles that of NBA player Patrick Beverly.  

Cayden Daughtry | 2027 | Hidden Oaks

If you did not see his graduation year, one would be surprised due to his competitive nature and skill. He played the full length of the court on every possession. His heart was bigger than his height, which cannot be measured. He is a defensive and an offensive problem to opponents. His game resembles that of NBA player Isaiah Thomas.

Louis O’Keefe | 2026 | IMG Academy

The smile on his face on the court should not fool opponents. O’Keefe showed the ability to score with either hand in the lane with floaters. He has a good looking jumper. His game resembles that of NBA player Seth Curry.

Evan Roberts | 2027 | Lincoln Memorial Academy

Is a creative ball handler and his offensive game continues to improve. Roberts is growing as a player on the court. He is scoring at an efficient rate from within the mid-range. His game resembles that of NBA player Chris Paul.