We've seen a lot of players come through our doors over the years, varying in appearance, skill level, and everything in between. We decided to put forth a 'Getting to Know' series on some players who have attended events but still remain on the lesser-known side of things. Each of these prospects embody being a student-athlete and getting it done in the classroom as well as on the basketball court, and today's edition will take a closer look at'Kaden Hammond of Cummings High School.

We've covered Hammond since his middle-school days, including last November when he was featured on our 'Noteworthy Names in North Carolina's Class of 2024,' where we stated, 'Despite probably being one of the lesser-known players on this list, Hammond has the tools to be a prospect worth monitoring. He should quickly emerge as one of the better players and a clear-cut leader for Cummings, given his toughness and two-way versatility. Hammond is already quite skilled and capable of posing a strong offensive threat from inside the paint or along the perimeter. He handles the ball well for his size and regularly knocks down jumpers from midrange or beyond the arc. Hammond is an excellent rebounder with the necessary skill to push the break in transition and make plays with the ball in his hands. Though young, Hammond should be productive and continue to develop over time.'

The previous comments were written about two months after his strong showing at our All-American Camp. Soon thereafter, Hammond would go on to post nightly averages of 13.9 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, and 2.6 BPG with a team-high 65% from the floor'as a freshman. Despite his undeniable production, there was still limited buzz surrounding the strong, sturdy, skilled post prospect. Fast-forward to July, where his Team United squad proved themselves as one of the toughest groups throughout North Carolina. Hammond consistently stood out as their primary interior piece, highlighting an impressive scoring arsenal from the post and perimeter. He's a terrific rebounder with a strong understanding of how to utilize his body to overwhelm opponents on either end of the floor. Hammond is already a walking double-double machine, so don't be surprised to hear his name a lot more over the coming months.