Player: Sam Funches
Class: 2026
Height: 6’10
High School: Germantown HS
The high school season is quickly approaching and that only means that players will be joining back up with their high school teams but also several new names will be in the spotlight as well. One player that has already been seeing a big uptick this summer and will be an even bigger name this upcoming season is 2026 6’10 Sam Funches.
Funches is one of the rising bigs you will want to learn more about, as he will be helping lead the charge at Germantown High School in Mississippi this year. After playing a mixture of JV and Varsity last season, expect this young man to have an even bigger impact for the Mavericks.
In learning more about his game, Phenom Hoops spoke with Funches about where he excels and who he might compare his game too early on.
“Anywhere from the free throw line in,” Funches said when asked where he likes to operate. “I think I have the ability to make moves from the free throw line area and short corner to get to the basket. My dad has me focusing on using my length more to my advantage to score around the basket. I think my strength is my ability to shoot. We are always working on that and my jump hook.”
“My dad always tells me that I’m a mix of Tim Duncan and Chris Bosh,” he continued. “He says those guys never got sped up and played at their own pace. And I think I am the exact same way.”
Funches had a strong summer overall and certainly made an impression on college programs early on, as he racked in a few impressive early offers. Creighton, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Jackson State, Mississippi State, and Kansas State all have offered already and that list should only continue to grow even more for one of the premier young talents.
“It is awesome,” Funches said about receiving the early recognition from college programs. “I felt I would get offers because of the hard work but I didn’t think it would be this early. But I pray every night before bed and when I get up in the morning. It is truly a blessing.”
With the summer with Ise Joe behind him and the upcoming high school at Germantown quickly approaching, Funches will be a must-see name around the country and already is looking to be a player college coaches will prioritize throughout.