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When the Montverde Academy boys basketball team takes the court for the 2026-27 season, it will do so with a dramatically different look. The Eagles, who posted a 23-7 record last year and advanced to the Chipotle Nationals final before falling to CIA-Bella Vista, are set to field a roster composed almost entirely of new faces.
Head coach Steve Turner will have only two returning starters to build around. The team graduated Joe Philon (now at Alabama) and Dhani Miller (Kent State), and also lost last year's leading rebounder, Derek Daniels, to transfer. To fill the void, Montverde went global, bringing in six international players who are expected to contribute immediately or develop into impact upperclassmen.
Key Returners
One of the few familiar names is Oneal Delancy, a 2027 combo guard from St. Petersburg, Florida. Ranked as a composite four-star and the No. 10 combo guard in the country by 247Sports, Delancy is a Houston commit known for his three-level scoring and ball skills. He averaged 13.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game last season, demonstrating the ability to play bigger than his size in the paint. Delancy is a capable lead guard with impressive vision, but he is equally effective off the ball as a spot-up shooter and cutter.
Highly Touted Newcomers
Isaiah Hamilton, a 2028 forward from Oakville, Ontario, arrives from Crestwood Prep as a composite five-star and the No. 4 small forward in the nation per 247Sports. At 6-foot-7 and 200 pounds, Hamilton possesses an NBA-ready frame and a dozen offers, including recent ones from Arkansas, Miami, and Georgia. He is a powerful finisher at the rim with a smooth jumper and the length to become an elite defender and rebounder under Turner's guidance.
Xavier Skipworth, a 2028 shooting guard from York, Pennsylvania, joins the Eagles from Bullis School. A composite five-star and the No. 3 shooting guard in the country, Skipworth (6-6, 180) is a true shooter with excellent touch and ball control. His offer list has grown to 14, with Indiana, Michigan, and Villanova extending offers since early October. His shot-making and off-the-bounce scoring will likely attract even more attention.
Joel Patrick, a 2028 center from Plainfield, New Jersey, brings rim-running and shot-blocking prowess to the frontcourt. Ranked as a composite four-star and the No. 11 center in the country, the 6-foot-10, 215-pounder is a devastating vertical athlete who controls the boards on both ends. He comes from St. Joseph in New Jersey and holds offers from Penn State, TCU, West Virginia, and Oklahoma State, among others.
Javion Tyndale, a 2027 point guard from Mississauga, Ontario, is a Seton Hall commit who embodies heart over height. At 5-foot-9, Tyndale led last year's team in assists (5.9 per game) and is a defensive stalwart and secure ball-handler. A coach's dream as a table-setter, he can also score when needed and will be a crucial leader for the revamped squad.
Maddox Davis, a 2027 shooting guard from Houston, Texas, comes from Kinkaid High School, where he averaged 21.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. A composite three-star and the No. 35 shooting guard in the country, Davis is a quick, shifty guard with impressive balance and a burst that allows him to blow by defenders in transition and half-court sets. He reports offers from Virginia Tech, Jacksonville, Robert Morris, Illinois-Chicago, and others.
International Additions and Young Talent
Richard Okokoh, a 2029 forward from Ottawa, Ontario, is an unranked but intriguing prospect with a long wingspan and the tools to become an elite defender. The 6-foot-3, 160-pound Canadian transfers from Iowa United Prep.
Jaylen Shephard, a 2029 guard from Scarborough, Ontario, is a bouncy sophomore from Crestwood Prep who plays above his 6-foot-2 height. Shephard is long, skilled, and fearless as a scorer.
Chudier Yak, a 2029 center from Juba, South Sudan, averaged 8.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and nearly a block per game as a freshman at North Broward Prep in South Florida. He is a rim-running big with a massive wingspan, extreme athleticism, and a surprisingly smooth jumper to go with good patience in the post.
Sebastian Ndour, a 2027 forward from Mbour, Senegal, saw limited action last year but brings energy and athleticism. At 6-foot-7, Ndour is a strong, bouncy forward who attacks downhill with impressive burst.
Trace Lopez, a 2028 forward from Phoenix, Arizona, provided valuable minutes off the bench last season. He is a floor-stretching forward with a solid shot and passing ability, forcing defenses to make tough decisions when he's on the court.
Bracey Octoman-Markley, a 2029 center from Las Vegas, Nevada, is already 6-foot-10 as a sophomore. He is a long shot-blocker who projects as a difference-maker in future years.
With this blend of seasoned returners and highly touted newcomers, Montverde Academy appears poised for another competitive season on the national stage.
Originally reported by yahoo.