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Miami Herald
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Two walk-ons from South Florida are part of the Gators' run to a men's basketball national title
When Cooper Josefsberg was in the seventh grade, he and his family went on an African safari where they watched — from up close — as a lion hunted a zebra. During the past couple of weeks, Josefsberg had another incredible up-close view as the walk-on basketball player from Miami's Riviera Prep watched his Florida Gators win six straight NCAA Tournament games, earning their first national title since 2007. Of Florida's three walk-ons this season, two of them are from Dade/Broward, including Weston Cypress Bay graduate Kevin Pazmino. Both of them are 6-4 sophomore guards. Josefsberg and Pazmino barely played – a combined total of seven minutes all season. But while they produced zero points, they each finished the season with a national-championship ring and hundreds of awesome memories. 'This was an experience I will always remember,' Pazmino told The Herald on Thursday. 'I wish I could slow down and embrace each moment, but things are happening so fast.' So, how good were the Gators this season, and what was it like to be a walk-on player for the nation's top college squad? First, the Gators finished 36-4, including a 15-1 home record. They also went 14-4 in the Southeastern Conference and an impressive 14-0 at neutral sites. Ranked just 21st in the Associated Press preseason poll, the Gators won their first 13 games and rolled to their fifth SEC tournament title. Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. became a first-team All-American, and Alex Condon, a 6-11 power forward from Australia, was named to the All-SEC third team. In addition, Todd Golden, whose only previous head coaching stop was at San Francisco for three years, led Florida to the national title in his third season in Gainesville. The only other coach to lead the Gators to a national title was Billy Donovan, who did it twice (2006, 2007). Besides Clayton and Condon, the other Gators starters in their 65-63 national championship win against Houston on Monday were 6-2 guard Alijah Martin; 6-4 guard Will Richard; and 6-10 center Rueben Chinyelu. Josefsberg, a sports management major who could someday become a coach or general manager, said Martin was a key addition due to his experience helping Florida Atlantic reach the 2023 Final Four. 'He changed our mentality,' Josefsberg said. 'He brought a dog mentality, making everyone play harder.' Pazmino, who plans to work in agriculture when he is done playing basketball, said the Gators talked about winning the national title from the moment this group got together last summer. 'That was our goal, and we realized in practice that we were really good,' Pazmino said. 'When we got to the tournament, we felt nobody could beat us the way we were playing.' Added Josefsberg: 'We knew right away that this team was special. One of the keys to a team is chemistry. But not just regular chemistry — we felt like brothers from Day 1.' Despite their walk-on status, Josefsberg and Pazmino are accomplished basketball players. As a senior, Josefsberg ranked second on Riviera Prep in scoring (11.6), leading the Bulldogs to their first state title. 'He's a winner,' Riviera Prep athletics director Courtney Young said. Indeed, Josefsberg was what is known as a 'preferred walk-on,' which means he was recruited but not given a scholarship. Indiana, LSU and Florida were his final three schools. 'After I left my visit to Indiana, I told my parents, 'This is the one,'' Josefsberg said. 'Three days later, I visited Florida, and it just felt right. I didn't take any more visits.' Pazmino, who averaged 13.6 points as a senior at Cypress Bay, had a more difficult road to the Gators as compared to Josefsberg. After high school, Pazmino had zero true offers for college basketball, so he walked on to a junior college in Gainesville (Santa Fe). After redshirting in his first season, Pazmino averaged 10.3 points in 2023-2024. After that season, Pazmino picked up some Division II scholarship offers, but the chance to walk on at Florida was enticing. Santa Fe assistant coach Brandon Buckman was the one who sent Pazmino's game film to Florida, and that ultimately led to a roster spot. 'In the back of my mind, I'm thinking: 'I'm getting a spot at UF, and I can't say no to that,'' Pazmino said. 'I ended up taking that walk-on spot, and now we're national champs. It's crazy to think about.' One of Pazmino's many memories of this year at Florida was the preseason conditioning drills, including running up and down the steps of UF's Ben Hill Griffin Stadium a dozen times. 'Up and down counted as one,' Pazmino said. 'My legs were burning.' While at Cypress Bay, Pazmino was on the varsity all four years, according to coach Jason Looky. 'He's always been a great shooter with a good frame,' Looky said. 'He went to Florida because he wanted the best training so he could get better.' Even so, the main role of the walk-ons at Florida is to prepare the rotation players for their next opponent. In practice, each member of the scout team would impersonate a rival player from Florida's upcoming opponent. The scout team would also run the opposing team's favorite plays. Pazmino said he's had to guard Clayton a time or two in practice. 'He has [Stephen] Curry range,' Pazmino said, 'and if you go out too far, he attacks you.' Pazmino also said Gators practices are highly physical. Fouls aren't going to be called often. 'I remember shooting a floater from the baseline,' Pazmino said. '[Chinyelu] is our strongest guy [at 255 pounds]. He lightly contested my floater, and I bounced off his body and fell backward. He just stood there.' Once practice is over, though, Pazmino and Josefsberg's roles change, and they had that up-close view as the Gators did some big-game hunting of their own. In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Florida knocked off two-time reigning national champion Connecticut, 77-75, as Clayton scored 13 of his 23 points in the final eight minutes. To get to the Final Four, Florida rallied from a nine-point deficit with less than three minutes left to eliminate Texas Tech, 84-79. Clayton scored a game-high 30 points. Against SEC rival Auburn in the NCAA semifinals, Clayton scored a game-high 34 points as Florida prevailed, 79-73. The Gators capped their magical season by rallying from a 12-point deficit against Houston. Clayton was held to 11 points, but he made the game's key defensive stop on Houston's final possession, preserving Florida's two-point lead. Pazmino said he was nervous at times in those do-or-die games, especially against Texas Tech. 'We had to play perfect down the stretch,' Pazmino said. 'But there was confidence because we know how good we are. 'Against Houston, my heart was pumping because this was for the national championship.' Pazmino also described how during timeouts, Florida's coaches and players have separate huddles initially. '[Clayton] is our captain, and he gives his perspective,' Pazmino said. '[Richard] will elaborate. Then our coaches come in and draw up a play or go over three or four things we need to do better.' Josefsberg considers himself to be Florida's 'energy guy' on the bench, keeping everybody focused. In addition, he talks trash to opposing players, trying to get them off their games, and, during timeouts, he tells his on-court teammates what he sees. 'Even when we're losing, nobody is blaming a teammate,' Josefsberg said. 'Nobody panics. We just say: 'We've been down before. Let's stay the course and finish the job.'' While Pazmino has not yet decided whether to return to Florida next season or seek more playing time elsewhere, Josefsberg is sure. 'I want to come back and do what our past legends accomplished [in 2006-2007],' Josefsberg said. 'I want to help bring that greatness back to Florida with consecutive national championships.' So, for the guy who watched lions up close in Africa, what was it like to be have a courtside seat for a national-championship run? 'It's pretty crazy,' Josefsberg said. 'You're right there in front of the action, watching the best players in the country. It's special.'
Miami Herald
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Riviera Prep's Mason, Myles Fuentes are Dade 4A-1A Boys' Basketball Players of the Year
When adversity struck at the start of the 2024 calendar year, Riviera Prep sibling guards Mason and Myles Fuentes knew what needed to be done. When it struck again just before the postseason this past February, the duo stepped up again. A talented team built for a run at a third consecutive state championship lost one of its primary players when former four-star prospect Dante Allen transferred to Montverde Academy. They later lost multiple players to injuries including 7-foot center Gus Guimaraes. The Fuentes brothers didn't let the Bulldogs veer off course. 'Everyone had to pick up a big role, but we knew we had to step up our game even more,' Myles Fuentes said. 'We just had to come together as a team and as a family and we did it.' The result? Mission accomplished. Riviera Prep hoisted its third consecutive state championship trophy last month after winning the Class 2A state championship. And so, Mason and Myles share honors of being this year's Miami Herald Miami-Dade County Boys' Basketball Co-Players of the Year for Classes 4A-1A. 'It's a huge accomplishment for both of us and special to share this with my brother,' Mason Fuentes said. 'We'll enjoy it and then the work begins again.' Mason and Myles Fuentes, both juniors, played integral roles on the court to make the triumph happen as the Bulldogs beat Westminster Academy and later Miami Country Day to make it back to Lakeland. Once there, Riviera took care of business with victories over Naples First Baptist and Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic to secure the 'three-peat.' 'This third ring is definitely the most meaningful to us because of all the sacrifice and adversity we worked through,' Mason Fuentes said. 'We pray to God every night and keep believing. And we succeeded. None of this is possible without Him.' Mason, a three-star prospect ranked 28th nationally among point guards per 247Sports, averaged 12.4 points, 6.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game this season. Myles, a four-star prospect ranked 11th nationally among point guards per 247Sports, averaged 12.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and an even three assists per game. The two will head into a critical offseason when they'll likely decide their college destinations. And then the work will begin to try to end their careers at Riviera with a state championship sweep. The Fuentes brothers are hoping to do something similar to what Columbus did this past season and elevate Riviera Prep's program to national title contender status. 'Hopefully we can get to the Chipotle National championship next year, we just have to keep working and keep our level of play high,' Myles said.
Miami Herald
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Columbus' Moran and Riviera Prep's Shahbaz are Dade Boys' Basketball Coaches of the Year
At Columbus, Andrew Moran supervised not just the extension of one of the dominant state championship stretches ever by a Miami-Dade County team, but a historic run to a national championship as well. And at Riviera Prep, challenges to their own state championship streak emerged long before they even first stepped on the court to prepare for the 2024-25 season. Bulldogs coach Anthony Shahbaz kept them on course and helped them reach the pinnacle once again. And so, Moran and Shahbaz are once again the Miami Herald's Miami-Dade County Boys' Basketball Coaches of the Year. Moran earns the honors for Classes 7A-5A after leading the Explorers to their fourth consecutive state championship. Columbus is only the second Miami-Dade County team to ever accomplish that feat, joining Miami Norland and stands one title away from tying the state record for longest state championship streak. The Explorers made history less than a month later, though, becoming the first South Florida school to win the Chipotle Nationals tournament and claim a national championship. Moran led the Explorers to a 145-34 record during his six seasons at Columbus and earned Naismith National Coach of the Year honors this past season. After guiding one of the most dominant squads in county history, featured by Duke signees Cameron and Cayden Boozer, Moran was officially introduced this past week as one of the new assistant coaches at the University of Miami. Shahbaz, meanwhile, led Riviera Prep to its third consecutive state title. Months earlier, though, Shahbaz was faced with the challenge of adjusting without his top player, Dante Allen, a four-star prospect who transferred to Montverde Academy. Then the Bulldogs had to overcome multiple injuries including the loss of 7-foot center Gus Guimaraes. Led by sibling guards Myles and Mason Fuentes and sophomore prospect Jeremy Jenkins, Riviera Prep navigated through its tough region and back to Lakeland to keep its title streak alive. With the aforementioned trio returning next season, the Bulldogs have a great chance to extend their streak to four.
Miami Herald
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
After a year of perseverance, Riviera Prep boys' basketball etches name in history books
The Riviera Prep boys' basketball team's depth was tested long before the 2024-25 season even began. Soon after celebrating its second consecutive state title last March, the Bulldogs found out 4-star guard and Villanova commit Dante Allen would be transferring to Montverde Academy. Riviera's resolve was tested again during the regular season when it lost two of its key frontcourt players - 7-foot Gustavo Guimaraes Alves and 6-10 Olisaemeka Williams Itumo - to season-ending injuries. And it was tested again on Saturday afternoon when the Bulldogs lost one of their top guards Myles Fuentes when he fouled out with just over three minutes left in the Class 2A state championship game at the RP Funding Center. The Bulldogs did what they've grown accustomed to doing. They dug deep and found a way to persevere. After withstanding a 15-2 run, which put their championship hopes briefly in jeopardy, Riviera Prep held off Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic in the closing minutes to secure a 66-54 victory and win its third consecutive state title. 'It's all the hard work we put in,' Fuentes said. 'We just had to dig deep in any situation. Those last seconds in the game, we weren't nervous. We've been through situations like that and we did what we do.' The Bulldogs (21-10) became the fifth Miami-Dade County boys' basketball program to win three or more state titles in a row, joining Miami Norland (2012-15), Miami High (1954-56 and 1996-98), Miami Northwest Christian (2003-05) and Miami Columbus (2022-24), which is chasing a fourth in a row next week. 'It's amazing and I just have to thank God,' Mason Fuentes said. 'He put me in this position to succeed and I'm just forever grateful.' Allen, a two-time Miami Herald Player of the Year, spearheaded the Bulldogs' previous two championship runs. But after he announced his departure, the Fuentes brothers knew even more responsibility would fall on them. Myles Fuentes, a sophomore, and his older brother, Mason, a junior, didn't hesitate according to coach Anthony Shahbaz. 'We lost a big piece in the offseason and everyone counted us out,' Shahbaz said. 'It seemed like every game we had a different person be an X-factor in every game. And the Fuentes brothers, I don't know if there are bigger dawgs in this county. They added so much to their game. When (Allen) left, they told me, 'Coach, we're ready.' I told them it wouldn't be easy. And they never backed off. They stepped up against everyone they went up against.' Mason finished Saturday's game with 21 points, five steals and four assists. Before he fouled out, Myles totaled 16 points on 7 for 10 shooting. But they were hardly alone in helping Riviera Prep make history. Agile 6-9 sophomore forward Jeremy Jenkins continued to dominate in the paint and in the open court as he has since the injuries mounted. Jenkins finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds and made 3 of 6 free throws down the stretch, which was enough to hold off the Hawks (23-9) and senior guard Tate Darner, a Chattanooga signee who scored a game-high 27 points on 11 of 14 shooting. 'We knew going into the game he was their guy and we couldn't let him get hot, but we knew he'd score,' Jenkins said. 'I missed a couple of free throws, but I knew I had to hit at least a few to seal the deal.' Darner and guard Toby Lane (19 points) helped cut Riviera's lead from 21 early in the fourth to 60-52 with 2:04 left. That's when Riviera reserve senior guard Alonzo Metz made two clutch free throws to stem the tide. Metz, who scored six points, played a critical role on the defensive end with three steals. Senior 6-8 forward Peter Okechukwu also was key with six points and six rebounds off the bench. Metz is the nephew of Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who has maintained a strong relationship with the Riviera program in recent years. Spoelstra attends Riviera games when the Heat's schedule allows to watch Metz and, before that, also watch Allen, the son of Heat assistant coach Malik Allen. The Heat even allowed Riviera Prep to practice last week at their practice facility at Kaseya Center. 'They really hooked us up and gave us a great opportunity to practice on a court like the one we'd play on (in Lakeland),' Shahbaz said. The Bulldogs don't appear to be done by any stretch as the Fuentes brothers, Jenkins, Williams Itumo and freshman Laron Mack can all return next season to try to make it four in a row. But due to the extra effort it took to secure, the 2024-25 title is one that everyone involved at Riviera Prep will always cherish. 'I don't know if any championship we've had was more earned than that one because of the injuries and a lot of negativity from outside our program, ' Shahbaz said. 'It's just validation. You could put in the hours and the time and it might not work out. But to see it happen, I'm so proud of these guys. They are a gritty bunch…Banners can never be taken away and they're forever cemented in the history of not just Riviera basketball, but Florida basketball.'
Miami Herald
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Riviera Prep basketball moves closer to historic place among Miami-Dade's all-time best
Miami Riviera Prep has had its share of tightly-contested games at the state final four in recent years. Luckily for the Bulldogs, there aren't too many situations their players have not faced during their recent run of state championships. On Thursday afternoon, Riviera Prep moved a little closer to a historic place among Miami-Dade County's all-time best boys' basketball teams when it gutted out a 58-50 victory over Naples First Baptist in a Class 2A state semifinal at the RP Funding Center. The Bulldogs (20-10), who are the top seed in their bracket, will take on Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Class 2A final. 'We've been through every situation all year, playing through a national schedule. We know what we need to do to get a win,' said forward Jeremy Jenkins, who totaled 10 points, six rebounds and four steals. 'This isn't my first rodeo and we've lost games like this. My goal was to lead our team and we just have to play our game and win a championship on Saturday.' Riviera Prep is chasing its third consecutive state title in what will be its fourth consecutive appearance in the state final. The Bulldogs will try to join Miami High, Miami Norland, Miami Columbus and Miami Northwest Christian as the only Miami-Dade County schools to win three or more consecutive state boys' basketball championships. 'We've been counted out numerous times especially once the injuries started accumulating,' Riviera Prep coach Anthony Shahbaz said. 'The kids have stuck with it and a lot of guys have stepped up and given us some great moments. We kept the game closer than we'd like, but if we can stay out of foul trouble, I think we can do something historic. 'They always believe they have a chance in a game. We'll clean up a few things and get some rest and get ready for the next one. If you can't get motivated for winning a three-peat, you shouldn't be playing basketball.' Riviera Prep, which prevailed in one-point thrillers each of the past two seasons in the state semifinal round, likely didn't figure to be in a tough game after the first few minutes on Thursday. The Bulldogs stormed ahead of the Lions (28-3), scoring the game's first 10 points and opening the contest on a 14-1 run. First Baptist evened things out for most of the rest of the contest, not allowing the Bulldogs to break the game open. Multiple Riviera Prep players ended up in foul trouble as the Lions attacked the rim consistently with good ball movement, setting up some outside shots. Jenkins fouled out as did forward Peter Okechukwu further depleting a frontcourt already without two injured starters in 7-foot senior Gustavo Guimaraes Alves and junior 6-10 forward Olisaemeka Williams Itumo. But the Lions were unable to draw any closer than five points with 11.3 seconds remaining. Mason Fuentes drew a foul in the backcourt with 10.9 seconds left and proceeded to hit one of two free throws. First Baptist's Kieren Fitzgerald's three-pointer at the other end drew nothing but air and Myles Fuentes collected the rebound, drew a foul and hit both free throws with a second left. 'At halftime we weren't where we wanted to be, but we were up 11 so we just needed to keep pushing,' said Riviera Prep guard Mason Fuentes, who scored a team-high 17 points and had four assists. 'A few guys got into foul trouble, but we just needed to stay with it.' Riviera Prep continued to be clutch when it needed to be, especially at the free throw line where it made 14 of 18 attempts (77.9 percent). 'All our hard work, the 5 a.m. workouts and everything else, it's finally paying off,' said guard Myles Fuentes, who had 12 points. 'We just have to establish and play hard like we did in the beginning and not let it get close like we did after. We just started working on our free throws, late night practices, private workouts, always putting up 100 free throws and made our shots as consistent as possible.'
