Gauntlet At The Gulf: Best Athletes Pt. 1

<p>Athleticism can be a game-changing piece at the youth level. Knowing how to use it can turn you from prospect to player. We’ll highlight players that best used their athleticism to impress our scouts in Daytona. This is the second part of a two-part series.</p> <p>Ronald Durham | Jacksonville Trojans 2024</p> <p>Durham spent the weekend going from promising prospect to bonafide recruit. The athleticism and activity level that made him a role player on a state title contender turned into the burst that made him one of the shiftiest guards in the building. He was constantly attacking downhill with herky-jerky movements that defenders couldn’t keep up with. On the defensive end, his quickness and length helped him steal the ball and convert it to transition points. His athleticism is best shown on the ground but has the bounce to score above the rim when the runway is empty.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1463340" first="Quamar" last="Hobbs"] | G1 Sports 2023</p> <p>Hobbs is a walking double-double fueled by athleticism and a high motor. At 6’5, he can explode for dunks and blocks without much of a load phase. His activity level and willingness to run the floor help him produce in scrappy moments of the game.</p> <p>Israel Nuhu | OTOD 2024</p> <p>Nuhu combined his athleticism with his motor to impress in Daytona. The 6’4 forward leaps out of the gym for above the finishes and weak-side shot blocking. </p> <p>Joseph Gayle | Athletes Of Influence 2025</p> <p>Gayle’s athleticism will land him in our 2025 rankings at some point. He’s a high flyer that can crush a dunk on the break and erase shots in the halfcourt. The guard has next-level speed and quickness. His first step helped him blow by guys for easy looks at the rim. He can play both guard spots at this point using his downhill speed to collapse defenses to create for others. Gayle already has a reliable three point shot on the wing.</p> <p>Aiden Cilladi | Lockwood 2023 </p> <p>No one expected the kid with the mullet to take off the way he did. Cilladi threw down Statue of Liberty dunks on kids in the halfcourt and on the break. He’s a subtle yet explosive leaped with 6’5 size. His athleticism helped him defend several perimeter positions.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1296009" first="Elijah" last="Dawson"] | Dream Team 2023</p> <p>Dawson had a quiet weekend, but next-level athleticism and hard play helped him make an impact. He’s a good athlete that can finish above the rim and hunts putbacks. He’s expanding his game with a face up jumper and corner threes.</p> <p>Jamar Browder | Ball4lyfe 2025</p> <p>Already considered one of the best wideouts in the 2025 class, Browder brings that go deep athleticism to the court. He’s developing his midrange game but still showed off his bounce and frame in transition. He runs the floor, gets above the rim with ease, and effects shots in the paint.</p>