Issa Bucket XBL Week 5 Player Standouts: Top Players Making the Biggest Impact

Player Profile: Willie Piggot Jr.

• Class: 2026

• Height: 6’5”

• School: Tampa Catholic

• Position: Guard

• Strengths: Athleticism, defensive pressure, on-ball and off-ball awareness, perimeter shooting, attacking the rim, transition scoring, work ethic, intensity

• College Offers: Arkansas State, Cleveland State, Kennesaw State

• Notes: Stands out for his size and versatility as a guard, excels in transition, consistently improves through hard work and dedication

Willie Piggot Jr. Dominates at Issa Bucket XBL League, Showcases Size, Skill, and Intensity

At the Issa Bucket XBL League, Class of 2026 guard Willie Piggot Jr. of Tampa Catholic stood out as the best player on the floor. At 6’5”, Willie has good size for a guard, athleticism, and a motor that powered his performance on both ends of the court. His physical tools allowed him to compete effectively against top talent, and his presence on the floor commanded attention from opposing defenses.

Defensively, Willie pressured ball handlers with quick hands and feet, played disruptive on-ball defense, and stayed active off the ball to anticipate passing lanes and create turnovers. His length, agility, and quickness made him difficult for opponents to handle, forcing mistakes and generating opportunities in transition. He consistently made smart reads, positioning himself to disrupt plays, cut off driving lanes, and create advantages for his team, showing a level of awareness beyond his years.

Offensively, Willie was a strong contributor. He knocked down shots from the perimeter, made plays off the dribble, attacked the rim with aggression, and excelled in transition, finishing effectively around the basket. His athleticism allowed him to change pace, drive past defenders, and finish in traffic, while his awareness helped him adjust to defensive pressure. He also demonstrated the ability to read defenders, exploit mismatches, and make quick decisions that kept his team’s offense flowing efficiently. His well-rounded game enabled him to maintain a high level of competitiveness throughout the game, often elevating the play of those around him.

Over the last four years, Willie consistently improved through his work ethic, dedication, and intensity. These traits are expected to continue as he develops into an all-conference-level player in college.

Willie’s combination of size, athleticism, and skill earned him multiple Division I offers, which he confirmed following his standout performance at the XBL League. He was set to announce his college commitment, choosing between Arkansas State, Cleveland State, and Kennesaw State.

Name: Elijah Bernadin

• Class: 2027

• Height: 6’7”

• School: Armwood

• Position: Forward

• Key Attributes: Good hands, finishing around the rim, athleticism, rebounding, rim protection

• Strengths: Strong on putbacks, active in transition, aggressive on the boards, alters shots defensively, consistently impacts the game inside

• Notes: One of Tampa-area’s top junior forwards; combines size, timing, and athleticism to make a significant impact on both ends of the floor

Elijah Bernadin was a Force Around the Basket, Controlling the Game for Armwood

6’7” junior forward Elijah Bernadin of Armwood played well against Chamberlain, delivering a strong and impactful performance. He has good hands and finishes efficiently around the rim on putbacks, showing soft touch, body control, and strong awareness in traffic. Bernadin demonstrates the ability to catch and finish in tight spaces, often drawing contact and still converting opportunities. Athletic and active, he runs the floor well in transition, finding space, staying engaged in the flow of the game, and providing a reliable outlet for teammates. On the glass, he battles for rebounds at both ends with determination, using effort, positioning, and anticipation to secure possessions, trigger fast breaks, and extend offensive opportunities. Defensively, he protects the rim, altering shots, contesting attempts in the paint, and anchoring the interior, while also using his length and timing to disrupt passing lanes, challenge post-ups, and create turnovers. His combination of timing, length, and athleticism makes him a constant presence around the basket, and his overall play gives Armwood a reliable and steady force in scoring, rebounding, and interior defense, influencing the game on both ends of the floor. Beyond the stat sheet, Bernadin’s awareness makes him a player who can shift momentum and provide a stabilizing presence whenever he’s on the court.

Name: Dre Taylor

• Class: 2028

• Height: 6’3”

• School: Jesuit High School

• Position: Guard/Wing

• Key Attributes: Athleticism, body control, finishing ability, defensive activity, court awareness

• Strengths: Strong in transition, effective in half-court finishes, good understanding of the game, active on both ends

• Notes: Stands out among young Tampa-area prospects; shows potential to refine handle and perimeter skills

Dre Taylor Shows Off Athleticism and Poise at XBL for Jesuit High School

2028 6’3” guard Dre Taylor popped at the XBL with his athleticism and effort for Jesuit High School. He showcased multiple dunks in both transition and the half court, finishing above the rim with control and authority. His timing, body control, and ability to adjust in midair made even contested attempts look effortless, highlighting his natural leaping ability and coordination. Taylor’s explosiveness in the open floor allowed him to beat defenders and create highlight-worthy finishes.

Taylor’s bounce and body control were noticeable, and he applied his athleticism effectively within the flow of the game. He filled lanes, made sharp cuts off the ball, stayed active defensively, and contributed on both ends. Beyond the highlight plays, he demonstrated strong awareness, making smart decisions that helped maintain his team’s momentum. Whether reading defensive rotations or identifying open lanes, Taylor showed a good level of understanding for the game, combining instinct with technique to impact multiple facets of play. His ability to finish through contact and navigate traffic near the rim reflected both confidence and developing skill.

As Taylor continues to refine his handle and perimeter consistency, he stands out as a young prospect in the Tampa area. With his blend of athleticism, effort, and confidence, Dre Taylor clearly stood out among his peers at XBL, showing that he can affect the game in multiple ways and is comfortable asserting himself on both ends of the floor. His combination of skill, poise, and competitive drive suggests that his game has a strong foundation to build upon as he continues to develop.

Name: Sebastien Lefranc

• Class: 2028

• Height: 6’0”

• School: Armwood High School

• Position: Point Guard

• Key Attributes: Quickness, court vision, scoring versatility, playmaking, pace control, good IQ

• Strengths: Plays with pace and controls the flow of the game. Gets into the paint effectively and finishes around the rim. Creates scoring opportunities for teammates. Confident shooter off the catch and off the dribble.

• Notes: Rising sophomore prospect in the Tampa area; combines scoring, playmaking, and leadership; continuing to refine finishing and perimeter skills.

Sebastien Lefranc Shines as Armwood Cruises Past Chamberlain at XBL

In a commanding performance at XBL, 2028 Armwood point guard Sebastien Lefranc showed why he’s quickly emerging as one of the top sophomores in the Tampa area. Standing at 6’0”, Lefranc combined speed, skill, and basketball IQ to control the tempo of the game and lead his team to a comfortable victory over Chamberlain.

From the opening whistle, Lefranc dictated the pace, pushing the ball in transition while knowing exactly when to slow the game down and set up his offense. His quick first step and strong handle allowed him to consistently get into the paint, where he finished efficiently around the rim. What stood out was his ability to balance aggressive scoring with unselfish play, often drawing defenders and then finding open teammates for high-percentage looks.

Beyond his scoring and playmaking, Lefranc’s confidence as a shooter made him a constant threat from the perimeter. He knocked down jumpers both off the catch and off the dribble, forcing Chamberlain’s defenders to respect his range and creating more space for his teammates to operate. His combination of pace, vision, and scoring versatility made him the focal point of Armwood’s offense and allowed the team to control the flow throughout the game.

Defensively, Lefranc contributed by pressuring the ball and making smart rotations, further showcasing his all-around game. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways — scoring, facilitating, and setting the tone defensively — highlighted why he’s considered one of the rising talents in his class.

Armwood’s victory over Chamberlain was a clear statement, with Lefranc’s balanced and confident play serving as the centerpiece. As he continues to develop, his combination of speed, court awareness, and scoring ability marks him as a player to watch closely in the coming seasons.