Team Preview: Columbus (Miami) Explorers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting today, the Prep Hoops Florida staff is taking a closer look at team-by-team previews as we start with the reigning state champions across all seven classifications in the state of Florida. Our first team feature will be the reigning Class 7A champions, the Christopher Columbus High School Explorers in Miami. Columbus is the home of two of the premier sophomore wings in the nation in Cayden and [player_tooltip player_id='1301714' first='Cameron' last='Boozer'] who are the sons of former NBA two-time all star Carlos Boozer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HC: Andrew Moran, 4th Season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class: 7A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-2022 Record: 29-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301715' first='Cayden' last='Boozer'] 6'5 SG (2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cayden</strong>, is the twin brother of&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301714' first='Cameron' last='Boozer']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cameron-boozer/"></a>&nbsp;and can create a havoc for defenders guarding him when he has the basketball in his hands. Boozer is a facilitator and is a dynamic playmaker. The 6-3 combo guard is one of the best finishers at the rim you'll find and can guard 1-on-1 with any of the five positions. Cayden only has reported a couple offers from Duke and Miami but that will change as his high school and grassroots career go on. Cayden was also a part of the Columbus High team in their first state championship, as well as the Nightrydas 15U EYBL title team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1287131,"width":371,"height":495,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/IMG_4780-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/IMG_4780-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1287131" width="371" height="495"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1301714' first='Cameron' last='Boozer'] 6-8 PF (2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301714' first='Cameron' last='Boozer']</strong>, the 6-8 power forward is the son of former 2-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer is already expressing high division one interest as a rising sophomore. Boozer has already received offers from Duke, Florida State, Miami and Michigan and was named to the All-State team as a freshman last season. Boozer helped lead the Explorers to the school's first state championship last season, with a thrilling 45-44 win over Dr. Phillips. Boozer also provides a high motor and is a tenacious rebounder for his skillset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1401031,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/IMG_8007-e1652413911778.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/IMG_8007-e1652413911778.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1401031"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1578279' first='Garyn' last='Bess'] 6-2 CG (2023)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bess</strong>, is one of the best shooters you will find on the team as he is coming off a season where he shot 47 percent from the field and 39 percent from behind the arc. Bess was also mentioned as one of our standouts in last weekend's Prep Hoops 250 Expo in Daytona. He can also guard multiple positions on the defensive side and can force his opponents to a tough shot with his length. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Prospect</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1301708' first='Benny' last='Fragela'] 6-2 SG (2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fragela</strong>, made himself a name to remember during the state championships last year with his on the ball defense. He made it difficult for offensive players to get a shot off. The 6-2 guard averaged just 9.2 points and 1.3 assists per game in 31 games played last season for the Explorers. Fragela can also be viewed as one of the hardest workers in the gym, as he is always looking to improve his game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Prospect</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1578317' first='Malik' last='Abdullahi'] 6-7 PF (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Abdullahi</strong> doesn't get the recognition he probably deserves, because he is playing behind Cameron and [player_tooltip player_id='1301715' first='Cayden' last='Boozer']. Abdullahi played with Team Hardaway during the Grassroot circuit and stood out. What does Abdullahi provide? He can block shots and battle for rebounds with the best of them. Abdullahi has received interest from a dozen schools that include Air Force, Appalachian State, Charlotte, FAMU, Georgia State, Indiana State and several others. He also has reported offers from FIU and Florida Atlantic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->