Courtesy of Columbus
The star player was new. The head coach was new.
But Columbus basketball once again found itself sitting on “The Throne” this weekend.
Three years after twins, Cameron and Cayden Boozer led the Explorers to the national championship of the inaugural The Throne tournament, it was senior forward Caleb Gaskins’ turn.
Gaskins scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Columbus (playing under the name “Los Explorers”) to this year’s Throne national championship after beating Long Island (NY) Lutheran (LuHi), 66-55 in the final on Saturday in East Rutherford, N.J.
Gaskins, a 6-8, five-star power forward, was named Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Florida this past Friday and has signed with the University of Miami where he will play for head coach Jai Lucas and his former head coach at Columbus, Andrew Moran, who is on Lucas’ staff.
Gaskins was the clear standout of the tournament this past weekend, recording three double-doubles on three consecutive days.
In addition to his stellar line in the final, Gaskins also had 30 points, 12 rebounds and three assists for the Explorers in the semifinals during a 96-56 win over the (Plainfield, NJ) Cardinals. He also finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and an assist in the quarterfinals when the Explorers, who came in as the No. 7 seed in the tournament, beat the Vikings from Sunny Slope, Arizona.
Gaskins was named the tournament MVP and sat on the event’s “throne” and wore a ceremonial crown after the game and joined his team in celebration.
The scene resembled three years ago when Cameron Boozer also sat on a similar throne as did Moran after Columbus won the first event held that year in Atlanta.
On Saturday, it was Moran’s former assistant, Jorge Milo, who had the chance to sit on the throne after leading the Explorers to another championship.
The men’s and women’s champions in the tournament, sponsored by the NBA Players Association, were each presented a check for $25,000 for their respective athletic programs.
A week earlier, Milo and Gaskins each helped Columbus make history by becoming the first Miami-Dade County boys’ basketball team to win five consecutive state championships.
In addition to Gaskins, senior combo guard and FAU signee Felipe Quinones and junior 7-1 center Akol Nyok each scored in double figures in the final, and played well throughout the tournament.
The Explorers weren’t the only South Florida team participating in the event.
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, which repeated as state champions in Class 3A earlier this month, advanced to the semifinals before losing, 71-69 to Long Island Lutheran.
Junior five-star point guard Cayden Daughtry led the Eagles with a couple of impressive performances including a 31-point effort in a 91-66 quarterfinal win over the The Heritage Coyotes from Frisco, Texas.
This story was originally published March 22, 2026 at 11:31 AM.
Miami Herald
Andre Fernandez is the Deputy Sports Editor of the Miami Herald and has covered a wide variety of sports during his career including the Miami Marlins, Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, University of Miami athletics, and high school sports.