Prep Hoops Preseason All-Orlando First Team (Large Schools)

It’s October and fall leagues are in full swing, players and coaches are getting ready for the regular season working hard in practice. With opening day just weeks away it’s time to make the Prep Hoops preseason All-Orlando teams. I broke it down into two categories large schools (5-7A) and small schools (1-4A). Today we will start with the large school MVP and all Orlando first team.

MVP: C Ernest Udeh Ernest Udeh 6'10" | C Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #48 Nation FL 6-10 Dr. Phillips (2022)

Udeh likely won’t lead the defending state champions in scoring but he won’t have to with Denzel Aberdeen Denzel Aberdeen 6'4" | PG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #197 Nation FL (Florida commit) and Riley Kugel Riley Kugel 6'5" | CG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #208 Nation FL (Mississippi State commit) on his team. What separates Dr. Phillips from other elite Florida schools is the man in the middle. There are few players who have blown up the way Udeh has over the last six months. He has gone from a player known regionally to a potential McDonalds All-American. The big man has gone from a guy who catches lobs and dunks to a more skilled back to the basket player who can finish over both shoulders and face up and hit a mid range jumper. Expect to see Udeh terrorize competition in his final season and average a double double. Recruiting wise Udeh has visited UCLA and plans to visit Kansas at the end of the week.

1st Team All-Orlando (Large Schools)

G Denzel Aberdeen Denzel Aberdeen 6'4" | PG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #197 Nation FL 6-4 Dr. Phillips (2022)

Aberdeen was the starting point guard and last years leading scorer for class 7A state champion Dr. Phillips. He has been a constant starter since he came to Dr. Phillips his sophomore year. His elite shooting both off the dribble and catch caught the attention of high major schools along with his improved distribution skills. Ultimately the University of Florida snatched up the instate guard who has one thing on his mind going into his senior season: repeat.

G Fabio Basili Fabio Basili 6'2" | CG Oak Ridge | 2022 State FL 6-4 Oak Ridge (2022)

Arguably the most exciting player to watch in the state of Florida, Basili will blow you away with his quick handles and flashy no look passes that thread the needle for assists. He has a deep bag of tricks attacking the basket and can score from all over the court. As a Junior he started at point guard for a Pioneers team that reached the final 4 before losing to Dr. Phillips. With star wing Mike James now at Louisville and Jalen Smith Jalen Smith 6'5" | PG Oak Ridge | 2021 State #230 Nation FL at SMU, Basili is the elder statesman on a young but talented Oak Ridge team. Look for Basili to post some huge numbers in his final high school season, and for Oak Ridge to be in the mix come March.

G Edgerrin James Jr. 6-1 Olympia (2023)

A starter since the day he stepped foot on Olympia’s campus, “Jizzle” has been one of the best players in the state of Florida for the Class of 2023. Last season he was a key part in Olympia’s run to the District Championship that came up just short with a close loss to Dr. Phillips. The scoring point guard is Olympia’s lead returning scorer and assist man averaging 14.4 PPG and 3.4 APG. Those numbers will likely see a major increase this year with Tyeree Bryan Tyeree Bryan 6'3" | CG Olympia | 2021 State FL and Jacari White Jacari White 6'2" | CG Olympia | 2021 State FL now playing at Division I Junior colleges. Olympia lost quite a bit of production from last years squad but they return a handful of players who seem ready to take on larger roles so another successful season is expected.

G Riley Kugel Riley Kugel 6'5" | CG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #208 Nation FL 6-5 Dr. Phillips (2022)

If you haven’t got the picture yet, Dr. Phillips is going to be really good. Kugel who recently announced he will be furthering his basketball career at Mississippi State is also back for another season. The wing has great size, can shoot and is an under rated distributor who can at times run the point. Last year, he was at times the best player on the floor for the Panthers, and his contributions will be key as they have loaded their schedule with some of the top national competition.

F Sean Stewart Sean Stewart 6'8" | PF Montverde | 2023 State #11 Nation FL 6-8 Windermere (2023)

Similar to Jizzle James over at Olympia, Stewart will be the go-to guy this year for his team after Trey Moss Trey Moss 6'3" | PG Windermere | 2021 State #199 Nation FL (South Florida) and Kanye Jones Kanye Jones 6'4" | CG Windermere | 2021 State FL (Boston College) graduated. That will more than likely result in a boost from last years 11.6PPG 9.6 RPG and 3.0 BPG averages, as Windermere will likely play from the inside out this year. Stewart has scholarship offers from what seems like more than half of the Power 5 conference schools in the country. Windermere returns a group of players who also seem ready to slide into bigger roles so they will again be a top team in 7A.