Dade boys’ basketball preview: Miami loaded with talent, more potential college stars

Miami-Dade County is producing basketball stars.

The county is winning state titles, too.

Last season, for example, Miami teams won three state championships. Columbus won its third straight Class 7A crown. Norland (Class 5A) won its seventh state title – all of them since 2006 -- and Riviera Prep (Class 3A) won its second straight state banner.

In fact, over the past two seasons, Miami-Dade has won seven state championships – more than any other county in Florida.

Also, Columbus this season may be the No. 1 team in the nation when the first rankings are posted.

As far as former Miami prep stars, they are spread out all over the country as a great majority of them have opted not to stay home for college.

Jase Richardson, formerly of Columbus, is at Michigan State. Columbus’ Boozer twins – Cameron and Cayden – have committed to Duke.

Norland’s Marcus Allen is at Missouri; and former Riviera Prep star Dante Allen – no relation – has committed to Villanova.

All these commitments or signings have happened over the past year, and Miami High’s Romari Robinson is expected to sign with Massachusetts later this month.

Other stars have yet to make their college decisions, and that list is headed by the Columbus quartet of Caleb Gaskins, Jaxon Richardson, Keeper Jackson and Cello Jackson (no relation).

Gaskins, a 6-7 forward, is ranked by 247 Sports as the ninth-best player in the nation’s junior class. He has offers from Alabama, Michigan, Georgia and more.

Jaxon Richardson, who is Jase’s younger brother, is a 6-6 forward with offers from Southern Cal, Maryland, Florida and more.

“He is going to have a big year,” Columbus coach Andrew Moran said of Richardson, who is ranked No. 26 among the nation’s junior class. “He’s greatly improved, and he’s locked in his 3-point shot.”

Cello Jackson, a 6-4 junior forward, has offers from Cal and mid-majors such as George Mason and Radford.

Keeper Jackson, a 6-6 junior forward, has major offers from Georgia Tech and Ole Miss.

Riviera Prep boasts top prospects such as Jeremy Jenkins and Myles Fuentes.

Jenkins, a power forward at 6-9 and 245 pounds, is the nation’s No. 14 sophomore, according to ESPN. He has grown two inches and gained 20 pounds over the past year.

Fuentes, a 6-1 sophomore point guard, already has five mid-major-type offers.

Riviera coach Anthony Shahbaz raves that Fuentes is the best on-ball defender he’s seen at this level. The player’s older brother is also on Riviera’s roster – Mason Fuentes, a 6-2 junior point guard with five mid-major offers.

“Myles is a nightmare for opposing offensive players,” Shahbaz said. “And he also has explosive leaping ability and a devastating floater.

“Mason is flashy -- a magician with the ball.”

Riviera also has 7-foot senior Gustavo Guimaraes, a Brazil native who has offers from Drexel and Toledo and interest from Miami and Notre Dame.

Shahbaz has also hyped up 6-7 freshman Laron Black Jr. as a future star.

And then there’s Miami Northwestern’s Calvin Russell, a 6-5 junior wing who averaged 21.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.2 steals last season.

He could probably become a college basketball star, but he is ranked a four-star prospect by 247 Sports as the nation’s No. 2 wide receiver. His future appears to be in football, with Miami and Florida State in hot pursuit of his talents.

THIS AND THAT

▪ Miami High (23-9, regional finalist) will be led by 10 seniors, including 6-5 wing/team captain Romari Robinson; 6-8 forward Aaron Richard; 6-5 wing Joseph Jean; and 6-2 guard Absalon Cortes.

▪ Palmetto (16-11 last season) will be led by 5-8 senior point guard Santiago Henriquez, who has committed to Keiser, an NAIA program. He averaged 24.5 points, 5.2 assists and 3.5 steals last season. Samfree Sarante, a 6-3 sophomore guard, averaged 12.0 points and made 44.0 percent on 3-pointers.

▪ True North (25-6) is coming off a regional finals appearance before losing to eventual state champion Weston Sagemont. The Titans lost guard J-Roc Lopez, who transferred to Chaminade, but return a solid core highlighted by 5-10 junior point guard Lloyd “Boosie” Swan. Junior 6-0 combo guard C.J. Rodriguez and 6-2 senior guard/forward Ryan Rodriguez are expected to have big seasons.

▪ St. Brendan (19-7) is led by 5-10 senior guard Jonas Duque, who averaged 13.7 points per game last season. The Sabres also added senior 6-3 shooting guard Benny Fragela, who played the past three seasons at Columbus and a key member of their three consecutive state title runs.

▪ Mater Academy (15-10) will be led by underrated 5-10 junior guard Jet Walis, who made 47 percent on 3-pointers. Ethan Davis, a 6-3 senior guard, averaged 12.0 points and 5.0 assists. Junior guard Anthony Otero averaged 12.4 points.

▪ Monsignor Pace (16-12) will be led by 6-4 junior wing Easton Gelin and 5-10 sophomore point guard Jamaal Gibson Jr. There’s only one senior on the squad, but watch out for 6-3 freshman guard Kris Delva if he continues to develop.

▪ Ferguson (14-11) will be led by 6-2 seniors Donovin Londomo, Alex Rokovic and Anthony Capote. Vojin Recraca, a 6-6 senior forward, is the son of Zeljko Rebraca, a Serbian native who played center in the NBA for five years.

▪ American (16-9) will be led by seniors Angel Torres, a 6-2 shooting guard, Derrius Black, a 6-5 center, Zephaniah Pratt, a 5-11 point guard, Joshua Castin, a 6-2 wing and Charles Quincy Robinson, a 6-3 small forward.

▪ North Miami (8-8) will be led by 6-3 senior forward Jonathan Joseph and junior guard/forward Calando Joseph.

▪ Coral Reef (10-14) is led by senior guards Ashton Williams and Gianmarco Altare and junior guards Angel Santos and Corey Gellineau.

▪ Coral Park (11-11) will be led by senior guards Angel Lara, Jeremiah Jimenez, Alejandro Camacho and Edwin Soto.

▪ Ransom Everglades (11-15) is “a year or two away from being a legit group,” according to coach Scott Berman. The team will be led by two freshmen: 6-4 point guard Julian Silvetz and 6-5 Alijah Mourning, the son of former Heat star Alonzo Mourning. Berman believes Alijah will grow to 6-10 like his dad. Silvetz could be a star.

▪ Gulliver Prep (18-9, regional semifinals) will be led by 6-1 senior point guard Jacob Marquez, a second-team All-Dade selection who averaged 15.9 points, 4.1 assists and 3.3 steals. He is the only returning starter on a speedy and cohesive team that lacks size.

▪ Belen (14-12, district semifinals) will be led by 6-2 sophomore guard Orlando Roche, He averaged 8.1 points as a freshman and 16.2 this past summer. He could become an all-time Belen great, according to his coach, Chachi Rodriguez.

▪ Braddock (19-8) will be led by 6-0 senior guard Raymond Estay, a good shooter and ball-handler. Luca Del La Paz, a 6-5 senior forward, is another player to watch.

▪ Palmer Trinity (14-10) will be led by senior forward Graham Yanowitch, junior forward Andres Domenech, senior combo guard Harrison Miles and senior shooting guard Xachary Bloom.

(Editor’s note: Every school that returned a form was included in this preview.)

This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 2:11 PM.