Player: Preston Copeland
Class: 2025
Height: 6'7
School: Raleigh Christian Academy
AAU: Garner Road
At the start of the season, it always excites us at Phenom Hoops to find those young new names, the next wave of talent coming through the state of North Carolina. One player that we first saw even BEFORE the season was 2025 Preston Copeland at Raleigh Christian Academy.
Back in September, Patrick O'Brien had this to say:
'One to keep an eye on as a freshman, 2025 6'7 Preston Copeland. He has good size early on, moves well, and battles down low.'
We continued to keep tabs on the young big man in Raleigh, as he helped the Eagles to an 18-12 overall record and averaged a solid 4.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, playing in 29 games. It is actually his second season for the Eagles, seeing action in 18 games as an eighth-grader, so he has plenty of experience under his belt already.
Well, we got a chance to check up on the young man and he has only continued to improve his overall feel there is a strong feeling you may be hearing his name more in the class of 2025. Already possessing great size for his age, Copeland checks off a lot of early boxes in a big man with his style of play, what he provides, and his upside. As far as his game goes right now, we are talking about a 6'7 long and athletic forward that makes himself even bigger with his tremendous wingspan, providing as a rim protector but also a force at the rim. Copeland has a polished feel at a young age and tremendous instincts, and not to mention he creates problems with his physical feel. If you add all that onto how he is able to move his feet and is not afraid to defend out on the perimeter, Copeland is going to be a name you will want to learn about sooner rather than later.