Caleb Gaskins Scouting Report
An explosive 6’8” forward with elite athleticism and two-way impact, Caleb Gaskins blends power, fluidity, and a smooth offensive game to thrive in Columbus High’s fast paced, and physical system.
Versatility is the first thing that comes to mind when watching Caleb Gaskins operate during a game or practice. Coaches are looking for prospects who can score, defend, and impact the game in multiple ways and Gaskins checks many of those boxes. A 6’8” wing from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, embodies this evolving archetype. A standout in the 2026 class, Gaskins has earned recognition for his blend of athleticism, length, and smooth offensive game. A key contributor for Columbus’ powerhouse program, he has shown an ability to impact winning across different settings — from high school competition to national showcases — and is now firmly on the radar of high-major programs.
Physically, Gaskins has the type of frame that immediately pops when he steps on the floor. He carries broad shoulders, long arms, and a naturally fluid gait that allows him to cover ground effortlessly. His athleticism is both powerful and controlled — he can explode off one or two feet — and he uses that vertical pop to finish above the rim. He is an ideal transition athlete, capable of filling lanes and finishing lobs, but also has the strength to absorb contact on drives and post-ups. His physical profile suggests he will continue to add strength without losing his mobility, which bodes well for his long-term projection.
Offensively, Gaskins is at his best when attacking with purpose. He thrives as a downhill driver, using his first step and body control to get into the paint where he can finish with either hand. He is a strong cutter who times his movements well, often slipping behind defenders for easy buckets. His coordination allows him to adjust mid-air, making him a creative finisher in traffic. Gaskins is still developing into a consistent three-level scorer, but his growing confidence from the perimeter suggests his shooting will eventually complement his slashing ability and open the floor for him to operate.
His shooting mechanics are compact and repeatable, which is a positive sign for future growth as a perimeter threat. He has shown comfort stepping into rhythm threes, particularly from the corners, and is steadily extending his range. When defenders play off him, he has the confidence to rise up and knock down open shots. As he continues to improve his off-the-dribble shooting and ability to create separation with pull-ups, his offensive ceiling will expand even further.
Gaskins also displays intriguing playmaking flashes. While not a pure point-forward, he is comfortable making reads out of the pick-and-roll and has shown the ability to hit cutters and shooters when the defense collapses. He processes the game at a good speed, rarely forcing bad shots, and understands how to keep the ball moving within Columbus’ offense. As he continues to refine his handle and decision-making, he could grow into a secondary creator capable of running actions for stretches.
Transition play is one of Gaskins’ best weapons. His ability to grab-and-go after a defensive rebound, push the ball up the floor, and either finish himself or make the right pass puts constant pressure on defenses. His speed forces opponents to sprint back in transition, and when paired with his teammates in Columbus’ uptempo system, he becomes even more dangerous.
Defensively, Gaskins offers the type of versatility coaches covet. His length and lateral quickness allow him to guard multiple positions — from shifty guards to physical forwards — without being a liability. He plays with active hands, frequently deflecting passes and turning defense into offense. His timing as a help defender continues to improve, and he has shown the ability to rotate from the weak side and contest shots at the rim.
Looking closer at his defense, Gaskins excels at staying in front of his man and using his size to wall off driving lanes for opponents. He is a strong communicator on the floor and talks well on switches, demonstrating a high understanding of the team’s defensive principles. His ability to contest shots without fouling is extremely advanced for his age, and he shows flashes of being a lockdown perimeter defender when he is fully engaged. Improving his consistency on closeouts and sharpening his footwork will only raise his defensive impact and overall floor as a player.
Another standout trait for Gaskins is his rebounding ability. He attacks the glass with purpose and anticipation. His positioning and his length are used to corral rebounds outside his area. On the offensive end, he is capable of creating extra possessions by crashing the boards and finishing second-chance opportunities. His rebounding translates into quick transition looks, for both teammates if he is the outlet passer, or himself on the receiving end, where he thrives.
Gaskins also stands out for his motor and competitiveness. He plays hard on both ends of the floor. He is always diving for loose balls and usually embraces big defensive assignments against the opposing teams best players. These intangibles make him a winning player who contributes even on nights when his scoring may not always be there. His maturity and poise for a player his age are indicators that he is extremely coachable and understands how to impact games beyond just his own stats.
Looking ahead, the key developmental areas for Gaskins will be expanding his perimeter game and becoming a more consistent shot creator. If he can tighten his handle, become more comfortable in creating separation off the dribble, and elevate his three-point shooting to a more reliable level, he will become a complete offensive weapon. Additionally, continuing to polish his defensive discipline will allow him to consistently guard the best player on the floor. With what Columbus has done over the previous few seasons, success and development do seem extremely likely.
Physical Attributes
Height/Position: 6’6” Wing / Combo Forward
Build: Long, smooth frame with natural coordination and athletic balance; lean but strong with clear upside to add muscle mass as he matures physically
Athleticism: Fluid and explosive athlete with quick leaping ability, effortless strides in the open floor, and body control to finish through contact; plays well above the rim in transition and in traffic
Matchup Impact: Too quick and shifty for traditional forwards to contain and too big and physical for smaller guards to bother; creates mismatches by attacking closeouts and posting smaller defenders
Offensive Game
Scoring Ability
Polished finisher who thrives attacking downhill, slashing through gaps, and converting with soft touch around the rim
Showcases hang-time and control when finishing through contact; capable of converting tough layups and highlight dunks
Developing mid-range scorer, comfortable with one- and two-dribble pull-ups and face-up jumpers from the elbows
Three-point shot is progressing — displays clean mechanics and growing confidence, particularly from the corners and on spot-up looks
Active offensive rebounder who uses length and timing to create second-chance opportunities and put-backs
Ball-Handling & Creation
Functional handle that allows him to attack closeouts and create driving lanes; flashes advanced footwork on spins and change-of-direction moves
Shows ability to get to his spots with strength and quickness; has a developing mid-post game where he can face up and exploit mismatches
Capable of pushing the ball in transition and creating early offense for himself or teammates
Still refining handle under pressure and creativity off the dribble but trending upward with confidence
Playmaking
Displays improving passing vision, finding cutters and open shooters when defenses collapse
Comfortable making reads off drives, especially on baseline dump-offs and kick-outs to the perimeter
Keeps the offense flowing by moving the ball quickly; plays unselfishly and doesn’t over-dribble
Projects as a secondary creator who can facilitate within a system and make the right basketball play
Defensive Game
Length, footwork, and athleticism allow him to switch across multiple positions and guard 1–4 effectively
Disruptive on the perimeter — gets deflections, tips passes, and forces turnovers that turn into easy transition points
Improving help-side defender with strong timing; rotates well to protect the rim and contest shots without fouling
Attacks the glass defensively, rebounding outside his area and starting fast breaks with quick outlets
Continues to sharpen technique on closeouts and containment, projecting as a true on-ball stopper with growth in discipline and lateral movement
Trusted to take on challenging matchups for Columbus, showing poise and competitiveness against elite competition
Intangibles
Competitiveness: Relentless competitor who embraces challenges on both ends; thrives in big-game environments and elevates his play against top competition.
Work Ethic: Known for steady year-over-year improvement; consistently adds to his skill set and shows a commitment to developing his body and game.
Composure: Plays under control, even in pressure situations; doesn’t get sped up easily and makes sound decisions when games tighten late.
Coachability: Responsive to feedback and adaptable to different roles; demonstrates a willingness to do what’s needed to help his team win.
Areas for Growth
Continue to build consistency as a three-point shooter, particularly off the dribble, to stretch the floor and punish sagging defenses
Refine ball-handling and add more counters to become a reliable half-court shot creator
Keep working on lateral quickness and defensive discipline to lock down quicker guards and avoid cheap fouls
Further develop playmaking reads to create higher-quality looks for teammates and grow into a true secondary facilitator
Projection & Comparisons
Caleb Gaskins projects as a high-major Division I forward with the versatility and athleticism to make an immediate impact. At 6’8” and 210 pounds, he combines strength, agility, and a high basketball IQ. A standout at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Gaskins has showcased his skills on the national stage with the Nightrydas in the Nike EYBL circuit. During the 2025 season, he averaged 16.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, earning Third Team All-Circuit honors. His performance in EYBL Session 4 was particularly impressive, where he averaged 20 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. He can see immediate time on the floor as a plug-and-play contributor who thrives in uptempo systems. His floor spacing and development as a shooter are intriguing and will need to be monitored. Versatility wise, he can guard multiple positions and does not shy away from physicality. With steady skill development, he has the upside to become a focal point of an offense at the college level in the right system and program.
Long term, Gaskins certainly has NBA potential if his perimeter skill set continues to evolve. His physical tools and two-way upside are reminiscent of players like Aaron Gordon and Josh Green — athletic wings who can defend, run the floor, and finish above the rim while steadily improving as shooters. Offensively, he is effective in the mid-range and has shown the ability to finish through contact. While he is working on extending his range beyond the arc, his current shooting percentages are 28% from three-point range and 75% from the free-throw line. If Gaskins continues his current trajectory, he could become one of the more impactful two-way wings in his class and eventually a legitimate pro prospect. Versatility reigns in this case, and Gaskins has it on display each and every time he sets foot on the floor.