Dade boys’ basketball preview: Life after the Boozers begins for Columbus
Life after Cameron and Cayden Boozer didn’t mean the end of Columbus being one of the nation’s top boys’ basketball programs.
With the twin superstars now in college and their jerseys retired at the school, the Explorers hope a new era continues the same type of success.
Fresh off winning their first national championship and becoming the first to do so from Miami-Dade County, Columbus enters the season ranked No. 3 nationally by MaxPreps and taking on a loaded national schedule once again.
Should the Explorers navigate said slate effectively, they could be in a position to once again make it to the Chipotle Nationals, which will be held in Fort Lauderdale at Keiser University from April 2-4, 2026.
Columbus is also chasing more state history. If it can win its fifth consecutive state championship, it would set the mark for the most in a row by a Dade team and tie the state record for longest title streaks held by Malone and Jacksonville Arlington Country Day.
The Boozer twins, who are already making an impact at Duke University, weren’t the only major departure from Columbus as forward Jaxson Richardson transferred to Southeastern Prep Academy in Orlando.
There was a change on the sideline as Explorers coach Andrew Moran is now an assistant coach at the University of Miami after leading Columbus to all four state titles. But Columbus promoted one of his longtime assistant coaches, Jorge Milo, to head coach in the hopes of maintaining continuity.
Columbus’ retooled roster is led by 6-9 forward and Miami commit Caleb Gaskins, a starter on last year’s team, and 6-4 forward and Memphis commit Cello Jackson. Among the key additions are senior combo guard Felipe Quinones, a transfer from Bradenton IMG Academy, 6-5 sophomore wing Jordan Fisher, 7-1 center Akol Nyok, a transfer from Maryland, senior 6-4 guard Jeremiah Hammond, a Northern Colorado commit, and Gaskins’ younger brother, Caydin, a 6-9 freshman forward.
BULLS RELOADED
Northwestern’s promising season, which included 23 wins, GMAC and district championships, ended with a disappointing loss to St. Brendan in the Class 4A regional semifinals.
The Bulls, led by veteran coach Melvin Randall, will try to take the next step and make it to the state final four for the first time since 2007.
Versatile two-sport star senior Calvin Russell, a 6-7 guard/forward, is back to lead the Bulls after averaging 15.2 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game last season. Russell, a Syracuse commit for football, is joined by 6-4 freshman guard Jaxson Smith, 6-1 senior combo guard Isaiah McKenney and 6-5 senior forward Giovanny Desire.
Northwestern figures to be one of the top contenders in the region along with defending Class 4A state champion Fort Lauderdale Stranahan.
FOUR-PEAT?
Riviera Prep remains a favorite to extend its state championship streak to four consecutive seasons thanks to the return of sibling guards Mason and Myles Fuentes. Mason, a senior, has signed with Stetson. Myles, a junior, is being recruited by multiple Division-I schools.
MORE OUTLOOKS
Miami High (22-6, 7A regional finalist) returns a completely new varsity roster this season after another 20-plus win season ended with a loss to Columbus in the regional finals. The Stingarees will need a new cast, led by senior guard Jaden Vigo, to help them make a similar push.
SLAM (15-11, 3A regional semifinalist) added to an already talented roster with the arrival of freshman guard Josiah Brooks, who transferred from Hialeah Educational Academy. His coach at COHEA, Alex Garcia, is also now the new coach of the Titans. Brooks averaged 17.5 points and five rebounds per game last season and picked up where he left off with 31 points against defending national champion Columbus on Monday. Senior guard Dario Haro and guard Tony Guerrero, another transfer from Hialeah Educational, will add depth.
Norland (17-11, 5A regional finalist) will vie to return to the state final four this season after losing seven seniors. Senior wing Jahquori Lombrage and junior guard Marquis Siggers are the only two returners who had significant playing time last season.
True North (15-12 last year) will try to return to regionals after coming up short last season. Senior point guard Lloyd “Boosie” Swan is back to lead the Titans, who will have size in the paint thanks to senior 6-9 forward Viktor Jovanovic. Senior wing Charles C.J. Gonzalez adds depth.
Belen Jesuit (20-9, 5A regional semifinalist) is three years removed from its first state championship. The Wolverines hope this could be a season they could make a strong push to get back to state led by junior guard Orlando Roche and guard Alec Arnholt.
Divine Savior (17-6, 2A regional quarterfinalist) will try to return to the regional playoffs this season backed by a talented roster. Senior 6-5 forward David Watson and 6-3 junior forward Joost West lead the group for the Sharks.
Palmetto (17-11, 7A regional quarterfinalist) returns a squad capable of returning to regionals, led by 6-3 junior guard Samfree Sarante and 6-6 junior forward Sebastian Madera. Senior guards Ralphy Diaz, Jaiden Horton and Corey Gellineau give the Panthers depth.
St. Brendan (21-8, 4A regional finalist) lost eight seniors from last year’s team, which fell one game short of advancing to state. Seniors Enzo Lentz, Lucca Lopez-Viegas and Rob Valdez will lead a younger squad hoping to stay among the best in Class 4A.
Palmer Trinity (21-7, 2A regional quarterfinalist) returns a roster looking for a repeat district championship led by 6-5 senior forward Andres Domenech and 6-0 senior guard Dominic Hendricks. Talented freshmen Ryder Schiffrin and Teo Zuccarini hope to provide depth.
Florida Christian (17-9) is seeking a return to the postseason with a balanced group led by senior 6-5 guard Rasmus Olop. Sophomore 6-2 guard Jason Padron, junior 6-0 guard Tavarus Greene and 6-5 senior guard Jonathan Weir are also players to watch.
American (16-9, 5A regional quarterfinalist) will be led by a group of five seniors - 6-2 guard Jonathan Garcia, 6-7 forward Nathan Chammartin, 6-2 wing Bryan Errar, 5-9 point guard Gabriel Sao-Pagan and 6-5 wing Tyler Kilhefner.
Doral Academy (15-6, 7A regional quarterfinalist) returns only one senior, but a solid junior group led by 6-2 guards Derek Rocha and Alain Perez, and 6-6 forward Matheus Araujo.
Gulliver (20-9, 3A regional finalist) lost 10 seniors, but returns multi-sport star Champ Smith, a 6-4 senior guard.
Ransom Everglades (11-16) hopes to break through to regionals with a squad led by junior forward Dimitri Tatulishvili, Julian Silvetz and Alijah Mourning, a son of basketball Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning.
Mater Academy (14-14) will be led by juniors Jahi Lopez, Aheizer Frias and Wes Inigo as they try to make it back to regionals after falling short last season.
Coral Reef (13-11) will be led by 5-10 junior guard Isaiah Charlot and 5-9 senior guard Angel Santos.
Monsignor Pace (6-21) hopes to show noticeable improvement this season and will be led by 6-4 senior wing Easton Gelin. Junior 5-11 guard Jamaal Gibson Jr. and 6-5 sophomore Kris Delva will try to provide scoring punch.
North Miami (13-7) is led by 6-3 senior forward Calandro Joseph, 6-3 junior forward Ashton Williams and 6-0 senior forward Jabari Farrington.
Homestead (14-9) is led by 6-5 sophomore forward Nico Liz, 5-10 junior point guard Edyel Rivera and 5-10 junior guard Alexander Nadel.
Coral Park (14-11) is led by 6-3 sophomore forward Noah Lara, 6-0 junior guard Juan Castell and 6-3 senior forward David Fanning.
Miami Beach (8-14) is led by 5-11 sophomore guard Jonah Bernstein, 6-2 junior forward Eli Tobin, 6-0 sophomore Justin Deben and 5-11 junior guard Robert Sepin.
Varela (11-9) is led by senior guards Aaron Reyes, Alex Perez, Alfredo Monjaraz and senior forward Christian Marquez.
This story was originally published November 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM.
