Florida Expo: Hidden Gem Guards to Follow

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Expo hosted at the Seminole Sports Complex gave plenty of rising guards a platform to showcase their games — and a few left with their stock trending in the right direction. These are some under-the-radar names who showed upside worth tracking this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Murray (275) | G | 2027 | @tylermu11171025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murray displayed a calm, confident approach throughout the day. The lefty guard showed an improved perimeter shot, connecting from deep while also finishing through traffic around the rim. He moved well without the ball, made the right reads, and continued to fight on both ends. As he refines his offensive consistency, Murray's combination of IQ and effort should draw more eyes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2959398' first='Eli' last='Middleton'] (277) | G | Mount Dora Christian | @elijmiddleton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a solid 6-3 frame and long arms, Middleton checks plenty of boxes physically. What stood out most was his confidence — knocking down jumpers, creating off the dribble, and using his length defensively to contest shots and disrupt passing lanes. He's still developing, but the two-way flashes and overall poise suggest he's just starting to unlock his upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2948415' first='Dylan' last='Janov'] (241) | G | 2027 | Coral Gables | @dyl305</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Janov was one of the more dynamic offensive guards at the event. You can't give him any space or a shot is going up. He shot the ball with confidence, hitting tough looks from beyond the arc and midrange. His ability to rise up and score in rhythm made him difficult to contain. Whether attacking off a screen or spotting up, he maintained solid balance and control to get his shots off.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2889672' first='Diomar' last='Ortiz'] (273) | G | 2026 | St. Cloud | @OrtizDiomar_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ortiz is a steady presence who competes hard on both ends. He showed the ability to score through contact, create separation off the dribble, and hit contested jumpers. What makes him stand out is his awareness — he rotates well defensively and finds ways to impact the game even when the ball isn't in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zander Sthol (247) | G | 2027 | FBA | @ZStohl13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sthol impressed with his fearlessness attacking the paint. He consistently finished over length, using his strength and body control to convert around the rim. His effort on defense and willingness to mix it up physically set the tone. Sthol's toughness and sneaky athleticism make him a reliable competitor who finds ways to make plays on both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532297' first='Kevin' last='Daniels'] | G | 2027 | Eustis | @yoneighbhoodkid</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daniels brought a spark every time he stepped on the floor. At 6-3, he's a guard with length, energy, and a competitive motor. He showed scoring touch and the ability to make plays within the flow of the offense. Daniels' blend of size, activity, and effort give him the look of a sleeper who could rise with a solid high school season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Omar Clarke&nbsp;| G | Palm Bay Magnet | @OmarC_22_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarke brings relentless energy that immediately changes the pace of a game. A fearless driver, he thrives at putting defenders on their heels and drawing contact. Defensively, his quick hands and effort level make him disruptive in the backcourt. He's the type of guard who can swing momentum in his team's favor at any moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2978697' first='Lamar' last='Lee'] (242) | G | 2027 | Poinciana | @lamarmarquislee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee's confidence with the ball stood out from the start. He used quick bursts to get downhill, showing body control and balance when finishing through contact. His pace allowed him to dictate matchups, and he made smart reads in transition. With his creativity and consistent energy, Lee proved to be one of the tougher covers at The Expo.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->