2025 Derek Studer (NC Spartans)
Rarely do you find a heavily impactful presence in today's game without a lot of touches coinciding, but Derek takes advantage of each and every time he touches the ball with a plan already in mind of what he's doing with it. He has a versatile offensive package that allows him to score quickly off the catch and make soft touch passes in traffic, and he's just as dangerous without the ball as a cutter, understanding where he needs to fill in spots to secure good positioning whether to finish or rebound. He brings that quality production and entertaining method that makes you want more viewings.
2026 Hudson Fitzgerald (WCBA)
If you can shoot it at an elite level, you have a role on any team no matter how big or small. But when you have varying methods of shot selection with consistent, high-percentage results like Hudson has shown, you turn into a game-changer that every team should want. Threes add up a lot faster than twos, and even if you're in his pockets all game long he does a great job of finding good looks within sets or the natural flow of motion. His stroke is as pure as any I've seen in the state regardless of if it's a spot-up, pullup, or coming off the move-around screens. Watch for him to keep making a name for himself in this class.
2026 Caden Ryker (NC Spartans)
What's not to like about a young hardnosed guard that's out to prove himself on every play. Caden has that well-defined physique that you have to have as freshman turn into sophomores on the varsity level, and his play style is no different. He's very physical in getting downhill and simply has no fear of taking on anyone when attacking the basket. Coordination and control were key in his converting countless And-1's, and he can break you down with the simplest of explosive jabs, making him a heavy penetrating force that will tear your defense apart.
2027 Kannon McBride (Commit 2 Achieve)
One of the more impressive things you'll find at events is when guys unnoticeably play up and fit right in due to their maturity and production. But when a rising freshman is able to blend in and excel in his role among rising juniors, it's worth noting as something special to track going forward. Kannon has both the frame and shooting ability to be an immediate impact at the varsity level, along with an overall well-rounded game with poise as a defender. He played with a ton of confidence and didn't shy away from taking and hitting big shots out deep and by himself out in transition. Keep this one in the memory bank as you monitor freshmen entering the HS season.
2024 Aidan Davies (Wilmington Excel)
If you could only have seen where Aidan was a year ago to now as a player, the transformation into a legitimate consistent producer for this team has been incredible. He's been known for a more traditional big man approach which has proven its worth on multiple occasions but has also done a great job in adapting his approach and producing in a style that fits today's game as well with a large stock up in athleticism and coordination within his overall court awareness. He finishes, defends, and simply works hard for every little thing making his game so much more likable.
2026 Aidan Rousseau (WCBA)
Looking at the overall spring as a whole, the main thing you should pick up on is that Aidan doesn't care what the eye test says. He has every piece of the puzzle for a complete game that will and has to this point won him every matchup with the other premier bigs he's faced. His skillset, IQ, and ability to dominate in any manner is what separates him right now from others. He's ok with making the easy plays because they work and lead to winning. He runs the floor, can decipher the defense as a passer, and is extremely versatile to utilize defensively with his length and willingness to sit down and move his feet.
