Combine Academy enters the season with an almost entirely new-look roster, and the buzz surrounding this group is hard to ignore. With a mix of proven talent and fresh faces spanning the 2027 and 2028 classes, this program is positioning itself as one to watch closely as the year unfolds. Below is a look at the full roster, along with a few standout names who are poised to make an immediate impact. Let’s talk about the roster from what we know so far.
Roster:
King Kendrick ‘27 6’1
Fallilou Mbengue ‘27 – 6’10
Biar Deng ‘28 – 6’10
Hank Williams ‘27 – 6’3
Jerry Johnson Jr ‘27 ‘6’5
Kaylen Chilton ‘27 – 6’1
Supreme Hinton ‘28 – 6’5
Dane Brown ‘28 – 6’8
Riley Lail ‘28 – 6’2
Amari Desir ‘27 – 6’3
Sean Hamilton ‘27 – 6’6
Kento Turhan ‘28 – 6’1
KJ Shouse ‘27 – 6’4
Song Lai ‘28 – 6’8
Intriguing Players To Watch:
This is a roster that is fully transformed from the previous season, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few familiar faces that we are excited to watch this upcoming season. The clear leader for this group this season will be 2027 King Kendrick, one of the top prospects in the class and one who has been trending in the right direction this summer. Kendrick is a natural point guard that brings speed, creativity, scoring ability from multiple levels, and strong instincts in creating and facilitating. He picks his spots from multiple levels as a scorer, along with shifty/quick handles to keep defenders guessing. Kendrick will certainly be one of the main guys with the ball in his hands, leading the charge.
Mbengue is one we had a chance to watch last year with Academy of Central Florida, and he should be trending in the right direction as he looks to make his mark here in North Carolina. Regarded as a Top 20 prospect in the class, Mbengue was able to show a lot of promise and upside. He impacts the game with his motor, size, and overall activity, running the floor, finishing at the rim, being active on the glass, and making his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball.
And speaking about another rising talent, keep an eye on 2028 6’10 Biar Deng as well. Deng was able to show flashes of his potential at Lab U in the past with Phenom Hoops, and he continues to add more. He brings length, fluidity, comfort from multiple levels, and has an incredible 7’4 wingspan that can be used and shown both offensively and defensively.
These three will certainly be heavy-hitters, but Combine will also have a few other prospects such as Riley Lail, KJ Shouse, and others that we have watched before and should have an impact. But also, there are plenty of other names that we are eager to check out and see down the road.
Combine Academy’s roster overhaul brings plenty of uncertainty, but also plenty of upside, and this group has the pieces to surprise people this season. With Kendrick, Mbengue, and Deng leading the way, alongside a supporting cast eager to prove themselves, this is a program worth keeping tabs on as the season progresses. We’ll continue to track this roster closely and update as more standout performances emerge.