2028 Donovan Bolton (Team Charlotte): Bolton has the early size that you like to see, and really can be a force around the basket. Bolton moved well all around the floor, being active on the glass and in the paint, as well as finishing strong over defenders. Bolton is going to be one to watch in the coming years around the Charlotte area.
2027 King Gibson (Team United): Gibson is going to be a name that you will be hearing a lot in the coming years around the region. He has great size at his age, and he used that with his ability to attack and get to the basket, finish with tremendous control, and really can be a versatile player with a tremendous skill set. Had a great Day 1.
2027 Lathan Pruitt (Carolina Impact): Pruitt has an exceptional feel for the game for a player only in middle school. Pruitt just has a natural feel for the game and plays with a great IQ/understanding of the game.' He was able to make plays off the dribble, impact the game on both sides, and plays extremely hard.' Scored the ball effectively, got downhill and was able to get to the line, and had a tremendous impact on his team.
2028 Chase Smith (Team United 2028 Cooke): He quickly can grab your attention, as the seventh grader has the size but then he can make an impact on other areas of the floor.' Already 6'6, Smith was able to knock down shots from the perimeter, but also runs the floor, protects the paint, can be a force in the paint, and use his frame to his advantage. A lot to like about this young man.
2030 Camren Dial (Team Rockout): One of the few youngsters that made our list, but this young man played really well on Day 1. Dial displayed tremendous confidence with his shot-making ability early, and then simply went off for nine 3-pointers on his way to a 37-point outing in his second game. He has tremendous range and confidence, and can't wait to see how he continues to develop.
2028 Sam Rice (Raiders): When watching Rice, he really showed how he can stretch the court with his ability to knock down shots, as he made teams play with his perimeter game.' Confident release and was consistent all day with his shot-making ability.
2027 Hector Garrido-Perez (United Church of Basketball): Garrido is a new name personally for me but he is one that left his mark on Day 1. Only a young eighth grader, he really played well averaging over 20+ points per game on the day, finishing strong around the paint, playing physical and staying active.' He was able to really produce and use his frame well, as well as put pressure on the defense and get to the line.
2027 Teeshon Smith (CP3): Smith is a name that we watched when he was younger and he has only continued to grow and develop as a prospect. Really liked what I saw with his athletic ability, his length, and his ability to get downhill and finish.' Smith is one that certainly has made the strides, but has a lot of potential still left in his game.
2027 AC Pressley (Team ISH): Pressley is another name to start jumping on early and monitoring, as he is able to provide/ impact the game in a variety of ways. Really liked his ability to get out and finish with tremendous body control in transition, but also made plays defensively, created havoc with his length, and also helped lead the offense as well.
2027 Taj Sarajba (CP3 2027): The big man will grab your attention with his size during warm-ups, but then when you watch him play, you can see there is a lot to work within what he could be towards the end.' He can really be an athletic forward that finishes that rim, be strong around the paint and running the floor, and also make his impact felt defensively in altering shots at times.' He is going to be a name on my watch list now for sure.
2027 Charles Chieggnan (Team United 2027): This young man has the size and length that makes will make him highly intriguing at a young age. Around 6'7 or so, Chieggnan has that natural ability and instinct to already be a force on both ends, and understands how to run rim to rim. He has a terrific motor, plays hard, runs the floor well, and makes himself big and long. Definitely a name you will want to jot down and watch develop.