2026 Rassell Young (Mallard Creek): Young has had a big summer, as offers have been rolling in and there is no doubt about it, he has made a name for himself in a big way. Last year, he averaged 10ppg for Mallard Creek but this young man could be in for a season in which he could almost double that production. And this is a team that may need that from him to find success. After losing several key players due to graduation, there is no doubt about it that it will be Young’s team as he has the talent, the flash, the skill set, and the game to back it up. If everything goes right, Young could be in for a huge season, continuing only what he has shown this summer.
2026 Nick Arnold (Lake Norman): Lake Norman will certainly be a team that has plenty of eyes its way; they have the talent to really make a run and be one of the better teams in the state of North Carolina. Though players like Trent Steinour and Tre McKinnon will be looking to lead the charge, I do believe that Arnold will be a HUGE part of this team’s success. His IQ and feel for the game are tremendous, as he plays with such toughness and competitive edge. But he also creates well, makes strong plays for himself, competes on both ends and understands how to lead the charge. He averaged 9.2ppg last year, but his impact this year could be even bigger for this team if they want to have the success many believe that could have.
2026 Aidan Rousseau (Cary Academy): With a year under his belt and a strong summer, 2026 Aidan Rousseau could be one that makes an even bigger name for himself. And what makes him even more interested in Cary Academy is the big duo of him and 2024 Wyatt DeGraaf. It could be one of the sneakier frontcourts in the state that will deserve more attention. The young big has length, is fluid, can operate from the block or high post, shows good vision, and can be a strong scoring presence as well as on the boards. Coming off a season in which he averaged 7.2ppg and 6.1, Rousseau could be that strong double-double presence as he has only gotten stronger and developed nicely over the last few months.
2026 Josiah Sanders (Berean Baptist): Sanders had an eye-opening summer and after a season in which he averaged 5.9ppg and 3.0rpg at St. Pauls, Sanders looks to be one of the clears guys in leading Berean Baptist Academy. He will have talent around him, but with his size, skillset, and his development, Sanders could really make himself an even bigger name throughout the state of North Carolina. There is a lot to like and yet still a lot of potential in his game, but college programs are already recognizing his talent.
2026 Will Stevens (Davidson Day): Being part of all the new names at Davidson Day, the 6’9 lengthy forward is one that could be a sneaky name that makes himself more known with his play. Stevens has continued to get better, get stronger, shown more of his ability to post or step out, see the floor well at his position, and is only getting better in being a stronger defensive prospect down in the paint. Though this will be a team full of new names on the roster, Stevens could be a sneaky prospect to watch out for as he hopes to have an even stronger sophomore season.