City Of Palms Classic Preview: Columbus Explorers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 50th Annual City of Palms Classic will be taking place from December 18 through December 23 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers. Leading up to the nation's prestigious event, Prep Hoops Florida scout Ross Van De Griek will be providing an in-depth preview from several teams in this year's field. Next up, we will feature the Columbus Explorers who will be making their second consecutive trip after getting to the Championship Game last season before losing to Imhotep Charter (Pennsylvania).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Andrew Moran, 5th Season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Opening Game</strong>: vs Archbishop Ryan (PA)- Tuesday, 12/19 at 8:45 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1301714"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 6-9 junior power forward is arguably the nation's top recruit and has a generational talent that he leaves all over the floor. Boozer is a high-level scorer who can dominate around the rim as well as shooting exceptionally well from beyond the arc. He has an incredibly advanced game for his age where he gets the job done on the defensive end as well whether it's protecting the rim or pushing the pace in transition. Boozer is also coming off winning the National High School Player of the Year where he became just the first sophomore to achieve the award.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1301715"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eCayden Boozer u003c/strongu003ealso brings a lot to the table with his skillset as he is one of the nation's premier point guards where he continues to make the right plays. Cayden has a strong ball-handle and is a tough driver when it comes to finishing against multiple defenders as well as bringing elite court vision. On the defensive side, he can guard on and off the ball at a high level where he allows the opposition into taking a tough shot. Like his twin brother, Cayden is also getting recruitment interest from multiple Power 5 schools.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2197286"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The 6-3 senior guard and Michigan State commit plays with an unbelievable presence whether it's his three-level scoring or his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. On the defensive side, Richardson has quick reactions to the basketball where he can also be a playmaker off the ball. On the offensive end, his game has opened up where he is becoming more free to be able to score while absorbing contact. His versatility speaks volumes and opens up the rest of his skillset.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1578317"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The 6-7 senior wing and Princeton commit has an explosive motor where he can finish above the rim and is a hard-nosed rebounder where he can quickly push the pace. On the offensive end, Abdullahi has taken huge strides in his game where he can be a pure spot-up shooter as well as being a versatile slasher. Abdullahi is also a proven winner where he doesn't take possessions off and has a nice touch from scoring beyond the arc when needed.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":[1463303],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The 6-6 sophomore guard has been high-flying this season where he can impact the game in a variety of ways. Richardson does a lot of the dirty work where he makes hustle plays on both ends of the floor whether it's keeping possessions alive on the offensive end or going after a loose ball on the defensive end. Jaxon plays with a high motor and good energy where he has huge upside for the next two years. On the glass, Jaxon is long and bouncy where he will limit the opposition from getting a second chance to score. His jump shot is still looking to gain consistency but has plenty of time to work things out on his offensive skillset.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6579e86a95ad1"} /-->