2026 Conrad P. Foss Memorial: 17U Top Performers, Part II
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL – The fourth annual Conrad P. Foss Memorial is officially in the books after an exciting weekend at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus. Programs from all across Florida came together to honor the memory of the late Conrad Foss, a coaching legend in the Sunshine state and a dear friend to HoopSeen.
We’ll kick off our coverage from the 17U division, looking at some of the top performers from the age group:
RELATED: 17U Top Performers, Part I
Canaan Gedeon, Wellington Wolves PUMA: We talk about this each year to start the travel season: the Wellington Wolves usually always have a guy.Trent Frazier and Elyjah Freeman are just a couple of names that start the conversation, and while I don’t know if this guy will be quite that level, I do feel comfortable saying this: Canaan Gedeon is next up for the Wellington Wolves. Gedeon, a 6-foot-1 lead guard, has a ton of translatable skills for the next level. He has a strong handle and can take bumps against opposing defenders while also not getting rattled by pressure. I still would like to see him shoot it better, but Gedeon kept defenses guessing with his savvy play and finishes around the rim. He’s a guy to make note of as the travel season tips off.
Kayden Daniels, SFL All-Stars: You won’t find many players more slippery than Kayden Daniels – just ask anyone that had to guard him at the Conrad P. Foss Memorial. The slick floor general was a nightmare for opposing teams with his quickness off the bounce. He created scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates with the ball in his hands. Allen, a 5-foot-10 guard, was one of the most shifty players I saw from the weekend’s action. This is a player that will keep coaches up all night as they worry how to defend him.
Nathan Frierson, 2Times Outlaws: 2Times Outlaws had a quality showing to tip off the travel season and much of that was because of Frierson. The 6-foot-4 big man carries himself with a quiet, calm demeanor off the court, but, when he steps between the lines, he’s one of the loudest producers on the floor. The sophomore was a consistent double-double threat for his team as he patrolled the paint while playing up an age group. Whether it was rebounding or scoring around the rim, Frierson excelled in his role. He was also a valuable piece on defense with his versatility and ability to guard multiple positions.
Myheir Session, SCE UA: If you’re looking for the player that brought the ooohs and ahhhs from the weekend, there’s a good chance it was Myheir Session. The athletic wing made his presence known early and often for SCE UA as he made some eye-popping plays above the rim. He has a knack for getting by defenders and getting to the rim. In fact, I’ll say he was one of the best straight-line drivers in the 17U division. Session made a couple of shots to keep defenses honest, but his real calling card is going to come on defense. He has a lot of tools that could make him a lockdown defender on the perimeter.
Tyler Desilma, Wellington Wolves 2027: Production, production, production. That’s exactly what Tyler Desilma brings to the table each time out. The hard-nosed forward is as consistent as they come. His coaches can pencil him in for at least 10 points and 10 rebounds (and some fouls) each game, and that’s the ultimate value for any team. The undersized 4 man is a blue-collar work horse on the floor, but his best possible quality? He hates losing. He made that apparent after a disappointing loss on Sunday morning. Desilma is the type of guy I wouldn’t bet against – ever.
Kedwin Hawkins, Brawlers: The Brawlers 17U group went 3-1 on the weekend. From top to bottom, they have a well-rounded team with several players that could have been listed on this top performer report. However, I don’t think the team would have had quite the success without Hawkins. Despite being undersized as a post player, Hawkins is extremely productive. He caused problems with his length and quickness on defense, as he switched screens and guarded multiple positions. He was also extremely patient with the ball on offense. When he had the ball with his back to the basket, Hawkins made methodical decisions that usually ended with his getting to the free-throw line.
Marcus Nestor, SWFL Hoops: Much like his backcourt mate Seth Browner, I thought Marcus Nestor had a couple of impressive showings inside the Wiregrass Ranch facility. The 5-foot-11 guard mixed up his M.O. each game. One game I saw him make multiple three-point shots and the next game he took on more of an attacking approach as a driver and finisher. There were also situations where he would defer to a hot teammate, so I feel like I saw a little bit of everything when it comes to what Nestor brings to the table. No matter the situation, he brought intensity and packed a punch with his play. I’m a fan.