JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For the second consecutive year, the Mentorship For The Kids Foundation (MFTK) organized its popular Spartan Showcase event.

Approximately 200 high school athletes, hailing from as far north as North Carolina and reaching down to Louisiana, convened at KIPP. They were there to demonstrate their talents in front of major recruiting networks like On3 and Rivals.

“There’s a lot of competition here, but it’s a relaxed atmosphere,” Kolby London King, who made the journey from Alabama, remarked. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure against top-tier players.”

The event also attracted some of the nation’s leading athletes, including Brysen Wright, the top-ranked prospect in the class of 2028.

Former NFL player James Coleman created the showcase to give players from Jacksonville a launching pad.

“My favorite rapper is Jay-Z, ‘everybody can tell you how to do it, but they never did it’. Well, I’ve done it and I’m trying to come back and show other people how to do it.” Coleman said. “I just want to raise the floor of where we are at in Jacksonville so that more kids get the opportunity.”

Coleman will select a 7-on-7 team from the participating players to compete and represent the city both nationally and potentially internationally.