There was loads of expertise in Kentucky within the first weekend of December. I frolicked on the Grind Session in Owensboro and Marshall County Hoopfest in Benton. Right here is my impression of the 4 days of motion.
Marcis Ponder 7’1 330 PF – Gillion Academy 2026 (Florida State)
Gillion Academy break up within the occasion, beating Hamilton Heights 73-65 and shedding to Southeastern Prep 96-84. Ponder used his huge dimension to guard the paint with 7 blocks combining each video games, regardless of a number of fouls on the rim in addition to goaltends. He performs loads of drop protection however eats up house beneath the rim. He can put on out opponents that attempt to gradual him down with contact. He’s a bit restricted offensively however will get up nicely across the basket and is far more efficient when assisted, scoring 13 factors on 4-8 FG in his first sport and 23 factors on 7-14 FG in his second. He attracts loads of fouls however he’s not a great free throw shooter, missing ball rotation whereas going 14-25 from the road over the 2 video games. He’s a monster on each ends of the glass with 17 (6 offensive) boards in sport one and 12 (7 offensive) rebounds in sport two.
Willie Burnett 6’5 175 PG/SG – Gillion Academy 2026 (Mississippi State)
Burnett ignites the offense together with his inventive ball-handling. He made the protection pay for attempting to press him and acquired shifty together with his change of pace and efficient crossover within the half-court. He acquired free with the ball at occasions however made issues occur together with his dribble and passing. He’s a proficient shot-maker and hit some troublesome ones however can work on getting simpler seems. He confirmed good arms defensively on some performs but it surely’s an space the place he can present extra dedication. Burnett completed with 18 factors (7-20 FG, 1-6 3PT) and 4 assists to 4 turnovers in opposition to Hamilton Heights, and 17 factors (6-17 FG, 3-8 3PT) in opposition to Southeastern Prep.
Martay Barnes 6’2 170 PG/SG – Academy of Central Florida 2027
Barnes was strong however struggled taking pictures within the 79-60 win over Winston Salem Christian. He scored 19 factors on 9-20 taking pictures and 1-8 from 3PT vary. His shot seems good, however he discovered the entrance of the rim on loads of his photographs. He rebounded nicely with 7 and defended full-court to come back away with 5 steals. With strong pace, size, and scoring capacity, Barnes has a great basis for a two-guard however can look to enhance effectivity.
Caleb Holt 6’5 200 SG – Prolific Prep 2026
Within the extremely anticipated sport in opposition to Southeastern Prep, Holt was Prolific’s most dependable offense. He confirmed a sound soar shot however was finest taking his man into the publish to make the most of his energy and physicality, exhibiting a dependable fadeaway. He demonstrated his athleticism at occasions all through the sport and crashed the boards nicely, knocking down a sport excessive 16 rebounds. He seemed good defensively however acquired himself into foul hassle. His 26 factors (9-18 FG, 2-6 3PT) was large to beat Southeastern 75-64. Holt didn’t play within the 78-47 win in opposition to iSchool.
Bruce Department 6’7 190 SF – Prolific Prep 2026
Department (pictured) scored 11 factors and grabbed 9 rebounds in opposition to Southeastern Prep. He confirmed some iso scoring however didn’t shoot nicely or end with consistency, to go 4-14 from the ground and 1-5 from 3PT, searching for a foul name on almost each play. He was significantly better within the second sport in opposition to iSchool, selecting his spots higher and extra environment friendly with 21 factors (8-13 FG, 2-6 3PT) to go together with 11 rebounds. He labored the midrange nicely, using his excellent size to shoot over defenders and completed with a number of dunks to point out his plus athleticism. The ball seems good popping out of his hand when taking pictures from distance, however the consistency isn’t fairly there but.
Davion Adkins 6’9 205 C – Prolific Prep 2026 (Kansas)
Adkins was environment friendly with 14 factors on 7-9 taking pictures. He stored it easy, scoring within the paint whereas cleansing up across the basket however was finest as a lob goal and rim runner. Enjoying with guards who discover him in place to attain is large for Adkins as he’s alert to go together with his dimension and athleticism, making him potent, which is a plus, as he’s removed from main possibility for Prolific’s offense. Adkins didn’t have a lot impression in opposition to iSchool with 2 factors and a pair of rebounds.
Nasir Anderson 6’4 205 PG – 2027 Prolific Prep
Anderson introduced a mix of explosive athleticism and large energy on the guard place. Southeastern didn’t do a great job of preserving him from going to his left, as he acquired to the block at will the place he completed the play, drew a foul, or made the precise learn for a powerful go. In opposition to iSchool, he acquired to the center the place he would kick to shooters or lob/pocket go to the massive man beneath the basket. The taking pictures has to get higher, going 1-9 from 3PT and 2-8 from FT over the two video games, lacking a unique manner every shot. He was large with 14 factors (6-16 FG) and eight assists to 2 turnovers in opposition to Southeastern and 9 factors (4-10 FG), 5 rebounds, and 6 assists to 4 turnovers in opposition to iSchool.
Jaxon Richardson 6’5 205 SG – Southeastern Prep 2026
Extremely explosive athlete, Richardson contributed 11 factors (5-9 FG) and eight rebounds in opposition to Prolific Prep, and 9 factors (4-8 FG) and 11 (4 offensive) rebounds within the 96-84 win in opposition to Gillion Academy. He’s finest off the ball, discovering reducing alternatives, tip-ins, and benefiting from damaged performs. He’s not actual numerous within the half-court however can drive when he finds a gap, throwing down an and-one poster jam on one play. He’ll have to develop into extra of a fringe risk transferring ahead. He’s fairly versatile defensively, gliding on the court docket and switching nicely.
CJ Rosser 6’10 195 SG – Southeastern Prep 2027
Rosser confirmed his capacity in spurts with 12 factors (3-12 FG, 1-4 3PT) and eight rebounds in opposition to Prolific Prep, and 15 factors (6-14 FG, 1-4 3PT) and seven rebounds in opposition to Gillion Academy. His general effectivity should enhance in addition to his exterior taking pictures, together with his misses hitting totally different elements of the rim every time. He additionally should get stronger, as he finally ends up on the bottom fairly continuously when making strikes or doing something in congestion, which was a part of his 9 turnovers in 2 video games. He’s athletic and has some good performs defensively, with a number of blocks and steals in his showings. The instruments are there however he might want to proceed to develop.
Beckham Black 6’3 180 PG – Southeastern Prep 2027
Black makes use of his physique nicely and he’s so expert, naturally making performs. He avoids traps and splits double-teams nicely together with his dribble whereas not getting sped up. He acquired to the rim to hit some powerful photographs however can be actually good within the midrange, even exhibiting some capacity to publish up and rating on guards. The dynamic guard simply missed a triple-double in each of his video games with 14 factors (5-12 FG, 1-4 3PT), 9 rebounds, and 11 assists to 2 turnovers in opposition to Prolific Prep. He adopted up with 17 factors (4-16 FG, 1-4 3PT, 8-9 FT), 8 rebounds, and 9 assists to 4 turnovers in opposition to Gillion Academy. His exterior taking pictures and scoring effectivity can enhance however there’s rather a lot to love about Black’s capacity.
Frederick Smith 6’6 210 PF – Briarcrest Christian 2026
Smith was a tricky matchup for Wesley Christian, he’s a strong athlete they usually couldn’t match his dimension across the basket. He didn’t present a lot taking pictures, lacking his solely 3PT try, however acquired to the rim whereas understanding of the excessive publish. He made some good passes mid-drive, main to five assists. He went to his proper almost each play, however the protection didn’t do a lot to drive him elsewhere. Smith completed with 12 factors and 9 rebounds to win 76-57.
Joshua Huggins 6’6 200 SF – Briarcrest Christian 2028
Huggins is a robust bodied sophomore wing. He acquired into the paint nicely to attain on the rim and made some good passes (5 assists). He scored 17 factors (7-13 FG) and grabbed 10 (4 offensive) rebounds. He didn’t shoot an excessive amount of however his type seemed good, making his lone 3PT try and each free throws. Huggins is an effective athlete mixed with a great construct, naturally dealing with contact nicely to make a number of performs that made you overlook that he’s nonetheless an underclassman.
Koang Bol Kuany 7’0 185 C – Huntington Prep 2027
Kuany stands out together with his dimension and size, transferring very nicely and pretty fluid for his dimension. He has some potential defensively, shrinking the ground and blocking photographs. In opposition to DME Academy, he had 20 factors on Sept. 11 taking pictures, with most of his scoring coming across the basket whereas dunking inside shut, however he additionally confirmed some stretch potential pulling down a 3 with good type. He additionally contributed 10 rebounds within the 81-70 win. Kuany is an fascinating long-term prospect and seems at present under-the-radar nationally.
Ryan Hampton 6’6 190 SG – DME Academy 2027
Hampton scored 11 factors in opposition to Huntington Prep. He could make strikes to maneuver to the basket, overlaying floor nicely. He additionally reveals a fadeaway and strong post-game from midrange. He might want to proceed so as to add energy and polish his strikes/shot to be more practical and environment friendly. He shot 4-16 from the ground, grabbed 7 rebounds, and handed out 2 assists to 7 turnovers.
Bentley Lusakueno 6’10 205 C – Woodward Academy 2028
Lusakueno was nice within the 70-57 win in opposition to Germantown. He runs the ground with good pace at his age and peak, translating good run and soar capacity for a number of dunks. He may also shoot and go; pulling down a number of 3s, midrange pull-ups, and distributing the ball mid-drive to hit teammates in stride to attain. He defended nicely too, locking in on the perimeter and defended Sam Funches nicely within the publish, denying the ball and leaping quite a few passes to start out the offense. Lusakueno has a ton of potential and is one of the best 2028 prospect I’ve seen thus far, scoring 29 factors within the win.
Myles Hayes 6’5 185 SG – Woodward Academy 2028
Hayes performed nicely on and off the ball. He acquired to the center and pulled up from midrange or acquired all the way in which to the rim the place he controls his physique nicely to complete troublesome photographs. He solely wants a little bit house to get his shot off and had success as a shooter. When taking part in off the ball, he balanced out spacing the ground vs curling/reducing when applicable. Hayes has good size, athleticism, and ball abilities as a high-level underclass prospect to complete with 15 factors (6-14 FG), 8 rebounds, and three steals within the win.
Sam Funches 6’10 215 C – Germantown 2026 (Gonzaga)
Funches put up some factors in opposition to Woodward Academy however doesn’t have a constant method to rating. Regardless of his shot getting humorous rotation, he has some inside-out offensive capacity, hitting some 3s and exhibiting a fadeaway within the publish. He can put the ball down however can’t actually beat anybody together with his dribble. He must be stronger with the ball and extra assertive general, however Woodward made it troublesome for him to get something clear off.
Anthony Felesi 6’5 205 SF – Utah Prep 2026 (Pittsburgh)
Felesi was in all places for Utah Prep. He’s very energetic off the ball, constantly reducing and searching for alternatives to get the ball on the rim. He has a robust construct and may be very explosive, exhibiting out within the half-court and much more in transition to complete with loads of high-level dunks. He’s a strong passer and didn’t present a lot taking pictures capacity (0-3 3PT, 2-4 FT) however was unstoppable throughout the arc. Whereas he doesn’t have loads of creativity as a ball-handler, he used his first step to slash to the rim. He was very disruptive defensively, hounding the ball and leaping passes all through the sport, coming away with 7 steals. Felesi completed with 30 factors (14-17 FG) and 14 rebounds to beat Christ College 80-64.
Tajh Ariza 6’9 200 SF – Hyperlink Academy 2026 (Oregon)
Ariza has good dimension and athleticism, roaming the court docket offensively. He can dribble a bit however doesn’t have the creativity to beat defenders off the dribble and doesn’t deal with contact actual nicely, however he was capable of drive his method to the basket a number of occasions. He’s excellent as a transition finisher because it’s troublesome for defenders to contest when he has the free house to run and soar. His shot seemed good, higher than earlier occasions I’ve seen him, to knock down a number of from the perimeter. I want to see him discover his bread and butter offensively to constantly get simpler baskets with this bodily benefit over most gamers at this stage, however he performed nicely on this one, defeating Whitehaven 90-50.
LJ Smith 6’4 180 PG/SG – Ohio State 2027 (Ohio State)
Smith is a fast guard and good ball-handler. He’s good about not selecting up his dribble even after taking contact. He’s acquired a great eye for the court docket and made some good passes in opposition to Veritas to report 4 assists and no turnovers. He’s not overly explosive however a strong athlete. He struggled taking pictures the ball early within the sport however began connecting within the third quarter, in the end taking pictures 6-12 from the perimeter, inflicting Oak Hill to increase the lead, in the end beating Veritas 79-57. Smith scored 28 factors on 11-20 taking pictures and pulled down 8 boards within the win.
