Season Preview – Columbus Explorers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With their preseason #1 ranking, the Explorers are ready to tip off this season and defend their ranking and add more to their trophy case. The team returns Cameron and [player_tooltip player_id='1301715' first='Cayden' last='Boozer'], who committed to Duke, as well as [player_tooltip player_id='2134647' first='Jaxon' last='Richardson']. The team has added a some exceptional high quality transfers in [player_tooltip player_id='1660063' first='Caleb' last='Gaskins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1549097' first='Cello' last='Jackson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1760993' first='Keeper' last='Jackson'] to the foundation they had returning. The Explorers have gelled well in the offseason and tip off next week against Prolific Prep at a game being held at FAU's arena. Let's take a deeper dive into the roster and see who will be making highlights this year for the Explorers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1660063"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6737fac37b4c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Montverde transfer is ready to add more hardware to his trophy case. Coming down to Miami and joining an already stellar roster, Gaskins add offensive wrinkle and some more toughness to this Explorers lineup. The move should allow Gaskins to spread his wings a bit more defensively and use his frame and length to take advantage of matchups throughout the year. He's already a very strong player so if he stays out of foul trouble and locks in defensively, Gaskins can show a more complete repertoire and really set himself apart from the rest of the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1463303"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6737fac37b535"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The younger Richardson now slides into the role his brother previously held as a stopper and connecting piece for the Explorers. Getting a bigger role in the offense this year as well will allow him to expand his game and showcase more than just his strong finishes and dexterity around the basket. Jaxon definitely has the innate understanding of the game and uses his IQ to slash to the rim and become a secondary finisher when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1760993"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6737fac37b579"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Possibly the best shooter on the entire roster, Keeper joins the Explorers this season after coming down from Memphis. His wiry frame allows him to easily float around the court and force defenders to chase him down or out to the three-point line. With the strong frontline he now joins, he will get more than his share of open looks as his defenders will run into a brick wall of screens from Caleb or Cameron. All he has to do is set his feet and knock down once he has the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1301789"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6737fac37b5b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Feenane is essentially the glue guy on this Columbus squad. He does all of the little things asked of him, can drive and kick as well as float beyond the three point arc and knock down shots. Feenane has some sneaky athleticism in his game as well. Keeping his defensive assignment in front and becoming a 3-and-D type player will go a long way this season in helping Columbus remain at the top and potentially capture a championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1549097"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6737fac37b5f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The heart, soul and engine of this team. Jackson make's everything run and he does it at a high level leading by example. Very much a classic lead guard, Jackson drives strong to the paint to draw in the defense and finds his open teammates floating around the arc. His ability to breakdown defenses and take punishment in the paint will help this team long term as he is excellent at drawing contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->