6’8 ’27 Niko Bratton (Team United)
After getting our first viewing of Bratton, it’s easy to see his path towards being a noteworthy prospect. At 6-foot-8, he’s already strong, fluid, and athletic with the necessary motor and nose for the ball to cause constant problems for opponents. Bratton possesses an excellent frame and moves like a perimeter player on the court. That being said, he’s physical enough to consistently rebound and overwhelm opponents defensively. Bratton actively toggles between multiple positions while forcing turnovers and pushing the break at a healthy rate. He also proved to be capable of hitting jumpers, finishing through contact, and attacking off the bounce. Bratton should trend upward over the foreseeable future.
6’0 ’27 Brayden Gatling (SW15H Elite)
Although there were several standouts from the SW15H Elite program, Gatling was someone who frequently turned heads through his production and leadership. He’s a smart, heady guard with sharp penetration instincts, scoring prowess, and useful playmaking chops. Gatling handles the ball well and is quick enough to break down opposing guards with relative ease. He mixes it up from all levels, but understands how to keep his teammates involved. Gatling is also a reliable defender at the point of attack, and makes quality decisions in transition. He should easily be among the top players in Greensboro next season.
6’9 ’27 Charles Chienggnan Pur (Team United)
It feels like we walk away more and more impressed every time we see Chienggnan. Already an extremely impactful player, there’s no denying that he’s made clear strides over the recent months. Despite his wiry frame, Chienggnan still finds a way to showcase flashes of pure dominance on both ends of the floor. It starts with his presence as a rebounder and rim-protector. Chienggnan utilizes his length, motor, and athleticism to compete for every available rebound. He’s a terrific defender who displays phenomenal timing around the basket, yet also appears comfortable shutting down perimeter players on switches. Chienggnan blocks a ton of shots and understands how to run the floor in transition. Furthermore, he’s way more comfortable offensively than folks tend to think. Not only does he have soft touch and a knack for playing above the rim, but Chienggnan can pass, handle, and shoot the ball very well for his size/position. It’ll be interesting to see how his body develops going forward, as Chienggnan is already a really impressive player.
6’4 ’27 LJ Smith (Team CP3)
Given everything he showcased during his freshman season, it should come as no surprise to see Smith’s name here. He’s one of the most polished offensive freshmen to come through North Carolina over the last decade. Smith truly has the full arsenal. He’s an effortless shot-creator who can legitimately score from anywhere on the floor. His craftiness and ability to generate space allows him to consistently mix it up from all levels. Although Smith can score the ball at will, he’s a willing playmaker with sharp vision and the understand of how to create scoring chances for others. He defends and rebounds with quality energy. While he’s shown the ability to impact all facets of the game, putting the ball in the basket will always be of the utmost importance—and Smith can do that as well as anyone.
5’10 ’27 Nate Jones (WCBA)
There are a lot of quality guards in North Carolina’s Class of 2027, and Jones has shown phenomenal consistency over the last twelve months. Despite his slight frame, he’s able to control a game through his high IQ, methodical pace, and balanced offensive approach. Jones scores the ball at an efficient rate from all levels while constantly surveying and setting up others. He displays an exceptional understanding of when to attack versus when to defer. Jones is a terrific decision-maker, especially in transition, and simply knows how to run a team. Add in his scrappy defensive nature and calm, poised leadership by example, and it’s easy to see the value he brings to a team.