For Jacksonville-area players on the NCAA men’s basketball scene, the 2025-26 season brought a big step up on the stat sheet.
Northeast Florida players experienced one of the area’s best college hoops campaigns for years, including multiple players winning starting roles, scoring in double figures or qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
It’s a year that has also produced some big-time stats, like Jacob Crews’ 45 percent outside shooting to help Missouri to the NCAA Tournament. If Crews had enough shots to qualify, he would have ranked in the top five of Division I.
Here’s a look at players from Jacksonville-area high schools across Division I men’s hoops rosters for the season. All statistics are as listed by their respective athletic departments.
G Chris Arias
6-6, So., Jacksonville, Providence
Played in 30 games, starting four, with average of 7.3 points and 2.3 rebounds.
F Augustine Ayelyine
6-10, Fr., Presbyterian, University Christian
Did not play.
G Anakin Brown
6-3, So., Jacksonville, Beachside
Appeared in three games.
G Ross Candelino
6-5, Jr.*, Lipscomb, Ponte Vedra
Bisons’ second-leading scorer with 11.2 points, 5.2 rebounds in 28 games after transfer from Wisconsin.
G Jacob Crews
6-8, Gr., Missouri, Hilliard
Averaged 8.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and shot 45% from 3-point distance in 32 games for Tigers, qualifying for NCAA field.
F Deangelo Elisee
6-9, Gr., Purdue-Fort Wayne, NFEI
Averaged 3.8 points, 2.6 rebounds in 32 games with 17 starts.
F Ben Ezeagu
6-7, Fr., Southern Indiana, Potter’s House Christian
Played in 15 games, averaging 2.1 points and 1.3 rebounds.
G David Fonville
6-3, So., High Point, Providence
Appeared in 11 games for 30-win Panthers on road to NCAA Tournament.
G Tarence Guinyard
6-2, Sr., Duquesne, Lee/Riverside
Dukes’ leader averaged 16.6 points, 4.7 assists, shooting 36 percent from three in 32 starts; first-team Atlantic 10.
G Kent Jackson
6-2, So., North Florida, Episcopal
Averaged 14.8 points and shot 35 percent from 3-point range in 32 starts.
G Lajae Jones
6-7, Sr., Florida St., Fletcher
Broke through with 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 33 games (31 starts) after transfer from St. Bonaventure.
F Mason Lee
6-7, So.*, North Florida, Providence
Started 30 of 32 games, leading Ospreys with 5.6 rebounds and averaging 8.0 points and 38 percent from outside.
F Manok Lual
6-9, Jr., Morgan St., Bishop Snyder
Averaged 1.8 points in 20 games, with four starts.
F Elijah Mahi
6-7, Sr., Santa Clara, Potter’s House Christian
Helped Broncos to NCAA Tournament with 13.9 points, 4.7 rebounds per game in 34 starts.
C Melian Martinez
7-0, Sr., Louisiana Tech, NFEI
Averaged 4.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks in 30 games with 19 starts.
G Nic McClain
6-3, Gr., Belmont, Suwannee
Averaged 10.4 points, 4.3 rebounds in 15 starts before knee injur.
F James Morrow
6-8, Jr., South Carolina St., Jackson
Played 24 games (14 starts) with 7.7 points, 3.1 rebounds per game.
F Stephon Payne
6-9, Sr., Seton Hall, Jackson
Started all 33 games, averaging 5.9 points and 6.5 rebounds.
C Christian Richardson
7-1, Sr., Omaha, Potter’s House Christian
Long Beach State transfer averaged 7.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 27 games, starting 16.
F Jaylen Robinson
6-6, Fr.*, Richmond, Providence/DME
Averaged 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 31 games.
F Josiah Sabino
6-4, Jr., Niagara, Orange Park
Led team in rebounding average (4.6) with 7.1-point average in 28 games, 10 starts.
F Jack Sullivan
6-11, Fr., Yale, Nease
Averaged 1.8 points in 21 games.
F Fredy-Salam Sylla
6-7, So., Arkansas St., Potter’s House Christian
Played in 18 games and averaged 4.0 points.
G Isaac Taveras
6-6, Jr., Southern Miss, NFEI
Averaged 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 22 games, starting 20; entering transfer portal.
G Taylor Thompson
5-11, Fr.*, North Florida, Impact Christian
Played in 19 games.
G Caleb Williams
6-0, So., Lafayette, Ribault
Leopards’ scoring leader averaged 15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists; third-team All-Patriot League guard is entering transfer portal.
G Ja’Kobe Williams
6-3, Gr., Central Connecticut St., Paxon
Played in seven games and averaged 3.3 points.
G Simeon Womack
6-2, Sr.*, Bethune-Cookman, West Nassau
Played in three games.
G Jarvis Wright
6-1, Fr., Morehead St., Ware County
Did not play.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Northeast Florida Division I men’s basketball players, 2025-26 season