Southwest FL Class of 2028: Ones to Watch

With a year of High School basketball experience under their belt there are plenty of players in SWFL looking to make a difference for their programs this season. Let's take a look at a couple Sophomores who I expect big things from this 2025-26 season!    In Southwest Florida, you will be hard-pressed to find a passer as talented as Jayson Gradea. Jayson excels in the pick and roll, delivering excellent pocket passes while making complex reads far beyond what his age and high school class would suggest. Jayson's smooth jump shot and excellent rebounding for his size make him a complete point guard, capable of stuffing the stat sheet and delivering wins to his team on any given night. Expect a breakout season from Gradea, and keep an eye out for Gulf Coast High School under head coach Andrew Grillo.     As a freshman, [player_tooltip player_id='2522828' first='Cole' last='Vetor'] was a major contributor for a Community School of Naples team that was filled with strong guards. In the 2024-25 season, Vetor was second in points (8.7) and assists (2.5), while also leading his CSN team in steals at 1.7 per game. Whether he has the ball in his hands or is playing off the ball, Vetor brings immense value due to his knockdown jumper and superb feel for the game. Yet above all else, what makes Vetor a standout player is his infectious intensity and love for competition that you simply cannot teach.     Although Legros did not play Varsity basketball as a freshman, his excellent performances in both AAU and the preseason have absolutely warranted him a place on the list. Standing at 6'3, Legros is a strong ball handler who can create both his own shot and quality looks for others. Legros also brings immense value on the defensive side of the ball with the ability to switch and guard 1-4, due in large part to his long wingspan and intelligence in rotating/off-ball defense. Expect Jio to be a major difference maker for the Seahawks this season!     Standing at 6'6 and weighing 240 pounds, [player_tooltip player_id='2866411' first='Obi' last='Edeoga'] is a force to be reckoned with inside the paint. With his back to the basket, Edeoga excels at finishing around the rim due to his soft touch and sound understanding of both positioning and leverage. Obi is also a threat outside of the paint with his strong screens for guards on the perimeter and ability to work as a short roller and even three-point threat on some occasions. With Obi expected to man the middle for the Charlotte Tarpons, expect him to be a consistent double-double threat this season.     With Bishop Verot graduating 4/5 starters from last season, the Vikings will need to replace a significant amount of production, which will be fulfilled in large part due to Julius Calixte. As a player, Calixte is a jack of all trades who contributes to winning in all aspects of the game. With his excellent ball skills, Julius is outstanding at creating his own shot and is not overly reliant on athleticism to do so, instead opting to play at his own controlled pace. However, where Julius' game shines through the most is his excellent passing and his innate ability to process the game one step ahead of his opponents. Keep an eye out for Julius Calixte this season!

With a year of High School basketball experience under their belt there are plenty of players in SWFL looking to make a difference for their programs this season. Let's take a look at a couple Sophomores who I expect big things from this 2025-26 season!