Standouts: Jamanji Summer Shootout
The Jumanji Summer Shootout was held at the Boys & Girls Club in downtown Tampa on Saturday.
Nine games were played on a busy day of hoops. Here’s a look at the top performers I saw.
2028 6-4 G Nijaun Harris – Lakeside Christian
Nijaun Harris is beyond gifted for his age. In a victory over a tough-nosed King squad, the 2028 6-foot-4 guard consistently drove the lane fighting through contact and hitting jumpers. Harris plays with very good strength and body control. He’s a hard-nosed competitor who simply plays basketball and is a coach’s dream with his effort level and toughness. He will have a banner year at Lakeside Christian, no doubt.
—2026 6-foot-7 forward Kenneth Morgan transferred in from Tampa Catholic and showed flashes around the rim as a core rebounder and finisher. He’s a developing big who should be monitored by college programs.
2024 6-5 G Julien Barnett – King
Julien Barnett has taken the next step. The leaper and true athlete displayed his improved outside jumper and ran the floor offensively with a ton of energy in a loss to Lakeside Christian. Barnett, a 2025 6-foot-5 guard is going to be the top piece at King after transferring in from North Tampa Christian. He was working hard and is certainly a bloomer to watch all season long.
—2024 6-foot-3 guard Adrian Rodriguez came over to King from DME and he made an immediate impact in his fall debut. Rodriguez is a big-bodied point man, who controls the flow offensively and can hurt you defensively by causing turnovers and taking charges.
2025 5-11 G Jacob Daniels – Gibbs
The confidence that Jacob Daniels is playing with right now is very apparent. The 2025 5-foot-11 guard is part of a very deep and athletic Gibbs bunch. Daniels was attacking the rim and finishing with both hands in the win over Blake. Most impressively, he draws contact often with his ability to slow down in the blink of an eye. He also had an impressive leaping one-handed block on a chase-down effort play. Alongside 2025 6-foot-2 guard Mathis Roberts and 2027 6-foot-3 guard O’Neal Delancy, there aren’t many better guard trios around the state.
2026 6-7 G Jojo Philon – Blake
Anytime Blake and Gibbs battle, it is always a fast-paced and physical tilt. Blake ultimately lost, but there was a lot to like on the day. Jojo Philon continues to improve his all-around game. The 2026 6-foot-6 guard controlled the tempo, handled the rock a lot and was at his best when he went downhill and finished through contact with dunks and lay-ins. Philon is just scratching the surface of his full potential.
—2025 6-foot-6 guard Kentrell Martin transferred over from Strawberry Crest. His shooting touch is going to bring a new dimension to this athletic Blake bunch. Martin has nice range and size.
2024 5-9 Cameron Halloran – Countryside
In a morning victory over Strawberry Crest, Cameron Halloran was shooting at a high clip. The 2024 5-foot-9 guard is a leader of this well-moving Countryside offense. Halloran made 3’s from his spots often and moved up and down the floor with purposeful decision-making. I expect him to be a top ballhandling guard for his group this season.
—2025 6-foot-3 forward Seth Miles is a younger player to keep an eye on for Countryside. He has good length and finishing prowess around the rim.
2025 5-10 G Evan Clark – Tampa Bay Tech
The most energy in the early afternoon came from Tampa Bay Tech. Evan Clark led the spark with his pure speed and craftiness in a win over Strawberry Crest. The 2025 5-foot-10 guard can rise up for a jumper or hurt you as a downhill and nifty finisher. Clark is a gifted athlete who should be a steady presence for this youthful Tech squad this season.
Year 2 of The Hoop Vibe Fall League tips off this upcoming Saturday, August 19th at SLAM Tampa every The 10-week league will have 29 teams participating from across the state of Florida will in the event
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Jake Perper has been a sports writer since 2010 and a basketball scout since 2015. He was the Southeast Scouting Director for the Prep Hoops Circuit and the lead scout for Prep Hoops’ Florida site for seven years. You can follow him on Twitter @thehoopvibe.