Columbus HS (28‑5)
Miami, Fla
Four-time defending Florida FHSAA Class 7A state champion
Top Players
- 6-5 SR Jaxon Richardson ... ESPN-11, Rivals-42
- 6-8 SR Caleb Gaskins ... ESPN-16, Rivals-7
- 6-4 SR Felipe Quinones ... ESPN-68, Rivals-89
- 6-4 SR Marcellous “Cello” Jackson
Explorers At A Glance
The Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden, are off to Duke after winning 113 of 131 games at Columbus and leading the Explorers to City of Palms and Chipotle Nationals titles as seniors, and coach Andrew Moran has also departed (University of Miami). But the returning firepower is enough to make new coach Jorge Milo’s team the favorite for what would be an unprecedented fifth consecutive Class 7A state title. … High-flying 6-5 SR Jaxon Richardson,(14.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg) the 2023 City of Palms dunk champion, and bruising 6-8 SR Caleb Gaskins (14.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg) will form the foundation. There’s also some new faces on SW 87th Avenue: 6-4 SR Marcellous “Cello” Jackson (7.5 ppg, 3.4 apg, 3.1 rpg) and 6-7 FRESH Cayden Gaskins, plus transfers 6-4 SR Felipe Quinones (IMG Academy), 6-3 SR Jeremiah Hammond (19.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg at Cherry Creek CO) and 7-1 JR Akol Nyok (Glenelg Country MD). … Last December’s run in Fort Myers included wins over Great Crossing (Ky.), Grayson (Ga.), IMG Academy and six-time City of Palms champion Montverde Academy.