By: DeAjai Dawkins
2027 Christian Coleman (TSF CLT North 2027)
Christian is a player I’ve watched since 2021, and he has contributed amongst elite talent each time. Coleman is an advanced guard with a fairly powerful & lengthy frame. I’m intrigued by guards with noticeable size that are comfortable playing on the ball, “big guards”, as some would say. Coleman certainly has the tools to compete at the varsity level as a freshman, if his coach believes that is suitable for him.
2027 Aayan Nathani (United Church of Basketball 2027)
In today’s game, perimeter shooting and length are both premium skills that translate to the high school level. Aayan is a prepared perimeter shooter with a captivating positional length for his age and skill set. He continues to present himself as a legitimate asset at the high school level as his jump shot refines, and his confidence grows. As he develops his strength, he’ll also be able to expand the ways he scores the ball.
2027 Hector Garrido Perez (United Church of Basketball 2027)
Hector is a tenacious rebounder, arguably the best I saw all weekend, with a sturdy frame that he uses to barrel into defenders when attacking the rim. He’s developed a clear niche for taking up space in the paint and creating numerous second-chance opportunities over the course of a game. His approach is one without ego, and will succeed due to his willingness to be physical.
2026 Josiah Pratt (Team Holley 14U)
As mentioned before, length is one trait that jumps off the page when watching a team play. Josiah is another West Mecklenburg prospect that spent his freshman season receiving starting varsity minutes. Still a raw prospect, he currently serves as a rebounder/rim-runner with the agility to wisp up and down the floor as a guard. Impressed with his all-around versatility, looking to see how his skillset develops.
2025 Desmond Martin (Team Charlotte 321)
Dez Martin oozes confidence on the floor, likely due to his most recent season at Chambers, playing as a primary option sophomore on junior varsity. Martin is a capable scorer with a toned, athletic build and the ability to hit from beyond the arc at a threatening rate on high volume. His approach to the game is aggressive, and he plays with emotion. His willingness to take on opponents both mentally and physically serves as his greatest asset.
2029 Bryson Faulk-Warner (Team United 2029)
While highlighting players this early in their development is a bit rare, Bryson Faulk-Warner has opened eyes this weekend as a promising young talent in his class. Bryson currently operates as a forward capable of playing on the ball, with comfortable ball skills, and use of his size as an advantage. To be clear, I believe player comparisons serve little, to no real purpose in evaluating a player. I do believe they can give a reader a visual idea of how a player may currently appear on the floor. Faulk-Warner’s blend of size, ball skills, and shot creation at this age resembles how I’d imagine a young Paolo Banchero would look amongst other 6th graders.