Nineteen Orlando area players in NCAA Tournament 2025

As the NCAA Tournament begins, many players from the Orlando area will be in action. Among them are three former local stars on the Florida Gators: Denzel Aberdeen, Sam Alexis, and Isaiah Brown. Denzel Aberdeen, a guard from Dr. Phillips High School, plays a crucial role as a sixth man for the Gators. He averages 8 points and 2 rebounds while logging about 20 minutes per game. Sam Alexis’ participation is uncertain due to a foot injury. He has averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds in 23 games. Isaiah Brown, a freshman, has contributed 34 points and 18 rebounds in his 17 games. Cooper Flagg, a standout at Montverde Academy, is another player to watch. The freshman forward plays for Duke and is expected to return after a recent ankle sprain. Flagg averages 18.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and has been named the ACC player of the year. Other notable players from the area include Riley Kugel from Mississippi State and Derik Queen from Maryland. Kugel, a guard, has started 14 games and averages 9.2 points per game. Queen, a center, leads his team with 16.3 points and 9 rebounds. As the tournament progresses, fans will be watching these players closely. Their performances could be key for their teams as they compete for the championship.