Under Armour National Championship: Sunshine State Standouts

After a year away from the Chicago area. The Under Armour National Championships returned to the Windy City. Where to start with such a deep and talented field. With a post-AAU vacation looming perhaps I had a little spring break on my mind. As I was most taken by a group of performers from the state of Florida.   Following are a handful of prospects that caught my eye.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Florida </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1301718' first='Shon' last='Abaev'] 6-7 2025 Calvary Christian (pictured) The highest ranked national player participating Friday night. You saw why very early. Similar to a power hitter or pitcher in baseball. Sometimes when you see player do something so effortlessly, you quickly realize what the strength of their game is. Abaev started off his Friday night contest against Team Curry with three easy basket that made you quickly take notice. Step backs, off the dribble mid range rises— he had it all working early. He made it look so easy I began to wonder how much he could put up. Then either through defensive adjustments or just a cold streak. His seemed to cool off. However that was when he was able to show he is much more than just an automatic bucket. Showed next level court vision and passing. Many times off the live dribble. On one exchange in the second half found an open teammate in the corner with a one handed pass that went across the entire width of the court. Showed some flair with look aways and always with high velocity. Got off the ground very quickly and collected a few blocks. With Bob Hurley and staff watching the from right under the basket. Put up the type of complete performance you expect from an elite national recruit   [player_tooltip player_id='2145506' first='Efeosa' last='Oliogu'] 6-6 2025 Overtime Elite (GA) Aware thar he will be moving to Overtime Elite from Florida next season. But he is still in the database as a Florida prospect, so I'll put him here. What a dominating performance for the Canadian wing. An extremely physically imposing prospect who simply bullied his way to the basket against Utah's Mountain Stars. Once there exploded to the rim with the force befitting his explosive frame. Simply punished the rim repeatedly. However also had some finesse and composure as well. Operated maturely out of the mid range. Was patient and waited for plays to develop. Found the open player when doubles were sent at him. Also took on the task of guarding the Mountain Stars' best player. A elite highlight reel performance with plenty of efficiency and intangibles sprinkled in as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1659513' first='Christopher' last='Washington Jr.'] 6-9 2026 The Villages Playing up an age group with [program_tooltip program_id='2076967' first='B' last='Maze Elite']. Washington showed the elite physical profile that makes him such a tantalizing prospect. As lengthy of a prospect as you will see anywhere. More importantly uses it properly. Has a bounding euro/power step that can go from one side of the lane to the other. As you would expect, is a major threat in transition. Runs the court fluidly and with purpose. Has the length, lateral quickness, and leaping ability to develop into an elite defender— if he isn't already. Collected multiple blocks in a close victory over New Jersey Shorshots. Offensively is far from what you would label a work in progress. Shoots it very well with a smooth and confident stroke. Gets to his spots easily with an efficient handle. Might have the highest upside of any prospect in the field.   While I was mostly Florida focused. I was born in the Music City. Accordingly my attention also drifted to the Volunteer state as well.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tennessee </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1259396' first='Cortez' last='Graham-Howard'] 6-5 2025 Hillsboro A prospect with unique positional size. There are plenty of wings with enough ball handling ability to bring the ball up the court. Graham-Howard is a legitimate “table setting“ point guard at 6-5 with length. Initiated offense like it was second nature. Composed player who did not panic in the clutch or when his team was down big early. Very skinny but played with strength and absorbed contact on penetration. Helped that he played off of two feet. Got to the basket at will. Almost exclusively to the left side as a right handed player. As an out of state scout seeing him for the first time. I can't help but wonder if he had a late growth spurt. Plays like a heady 5-11 point guard— just on a 6-5 frame.   [player_tooltip player_id='1760996' first='Fred' last='Smith'] 6-9 2026 Briarcrest Christian With all the national recruits listed above. Perhaps the best all around performance I saw came early Saturday morning from this Memphis area big. Simply did it all for P7 Elite in a contest against from Michigan. Has a stocky build, but is not ground bound and has plenty of lateral quickness. Played out of the post, but was essentially a position less player. Initiated offense from both the high and low post with excellent court vision. But also brought the ball up as traditional point guard often. Was a clever finisher around the rim. Creating space with his broad shoulders and wide frame. The Michigan squad was playing him heavily to the right, so he simply countered to the left. He really had an answer for everything. Not an overwhelming athlete, but he had no problem finishing above the rim.

After a year away from the Chicago area. The Under Armour National Championships returned to the Windy City. Where to start with such a deep and talented field. With a post-AAU vacation looming perhaps I had a little spring break on my mind. As I was most taken by a group of performers from the state of Florida.