2025 6’7 Siul Murillo (Charlotte Aces):
Murillo is a player we had a chance to watch this past high school season, and he was back on the court this past weekend. Murillo is an intriguing big with a really strong frame, understands how to be a physical presence that goes through defenders, and brings a powerful impact at the rim. Whether he is finishing at the rim with authority, blocking/altering shots, embracing contact, and running the floor in transition.
2026 6’7 JB Shabazz (CP3):
Shabazz is one we previewed before the event, and he continued to be a force for CP3 EYCL. The football star who holds offers already from schools, understands how to utilize his body, shows touch and feel, strong hands, and willingness to be a force against opponents down in the paint. Shabazz certainly can battle it out down in the low post, and carve out space on both ends.
2025 6’8 Rilpuou Mabor (Hoop Dreams):
The younger brother of Gabriel Mabor, Rilpuou is another big who shows good glimpses of his ability to post up and operate down in the paint, while also bringing a true rim protector on the court. Mabor gives you those flashes of his improvement, being able to show touch at times but also moving well all around the floor. And again, he can make an impact defensively in altering shots.
2028 6’5 Jamel McKinley (Middletown Elite):
McKinley is a new name to the Phenom Hoops platform, but he is one that grabbed our attention (along with his teammate 2029 Jeremiah Triplin). McKinley though is a fluid big that can impact the game in a variety of ways. Really like his early feel in being a scoring impact, running from end to end, and also being a shot-blocker for his team. This is a young big that has a lot of potential and should be one on your radar in the coming years.
2026 6’7 Mannie Villegas (BWSL TMB):
Villegas is another fluid and skilled forward that I believe still has upside and potential in his game. What you have to like about his game is his understanding of how to be big without fouling, protecting the basket well, and also showing flashes of his ability to score inside but also face up and score as well. A forward in Virginia that has potential and should be earning attention.
2025 6’10 Alek Kornacki (CC Elite):
Kornacki is an intriguing big that I believe will be able to flourish with CC Elite, and he gave us glimpses of it this past weekend. The big man is a big-bodied prospect that has a good feel down in the post with nice touch, but is also one that could continue to develop this summer. Kornacki really showed nice hands and touch with his back to the basket, as well as finding ways to score in the post but can also have an impact from outside from time to time, hitting a few threes as well. He consistently rebounds, defends, runs the floor, and can alter shots defensively as well.
