6’4” 2028 Justin Gray (Upward Stars 15U 3SSB)
Gray is a talented and skilled young guard with a great set of foundational physical tools to go with his ability to knock down shots at a high level. He’s shown promise in his game off the bounce where he’s shown the ability to weave through traffic and finish in multiple areas on the floor. With all of that said, my favorite thing about this kids game is his ability to make outside shots off the catch when set or coming off an action. He clearly has a lot of confidence in that aspect of his game and it shows while he plays. As he continues to get stronger his game will only come along even further throughout his high school career. There’s no doubt that Gray will be one of the regions premier snipers and has a real chance to be one of the top players in the area when it’s all said and done.
6’6” 2026 Aaron Ekwere (Georgia Stunners 17U)
Nothing like a young man from the great country of Finland coming into Rock Hill and looking like the best prospect in the event! Ekwere holds a handful of division one offers including from NC State and Texas A&M due to his raw athletic ability, motor, and rapidly improving skillset. Ekwere has some areas that need fine tuning but his blend of unrelenting effort, strength, athleticism, and ability to make shots from the outside are all impressive at this stage. A very simple and direct game, a lot of straight line drives off of a strong rip over the top. He soars through the air off of one foot and is starting to show the ability to make plays out of ball screens. As he continues to learn the game he’ll only get better but the offer list is warranted and it’s great to see the game growing in Finland the way it has, Ekwere is emblematic of the evolution of the game in the Scandinavian region.
6’3” 2028 Trevor Holland (Team CP3 EYCL 15U)
Holland is poised to breakout as one of NC’s most improved players as he is really finding his game in a major way with this CP3 team. He showed some flashes in reserve minutes as a freshman on a state championship Caldwell Academy team and he looks more than ready to take a step up this season. He is a dynamic downhill finisher with acrobatic ability to elevate in traffic for highlight finishes. He has good size for a combo guard as he can play on or off the ball with his ability to make shots off the catch. Very intrigued to see where his next step of development is but as long as he stays on the track he is now, there will be a lot to like from Holland as he moves through his high school career.
5’10” 2028 Bobby Montgomery (Top Shot 15U UA Rise)
Montgomery is a quick and shifty guard with a ton of shot-making ability off the bounce and catch. He does a great job creating separation with his dribble where he can stop on a dime and pull up with relative ease. He is a really crafty guy in ball screen situations where he is capable of advanced stuff. Splits defenders with ease, makes consistently good reads, and does a great job balancing his scoring with his playmaking for others. Defensively he is really impactful at the top of the press where he uses his quick hands and feet to disrupt the opposition. Montgomery should take a big leap in his Sophomore season at Queens Grant next season if this grassroots season is any indicator of what’s to come.
6’6” 2025 David Reed (Charlotte Aces 17U)
A potential late pickup, Reed is a well-rounded and productive front-court piece that can do a variety of things on the floor. He’s a quality low-post option that can finish around the rim at a high level over either shoulder. He rebounds both backboards with purpose and aggression, even out of his area, which can help him when he’s playing the 5. He consistently makes 2nd and 3rd efforts defensively and on the glass. Offensively, his ability to finish around the rim he sees the floor really well and finds shooters and cutters when operating in the middle of the floor. A no brainer next level talent that should have more opportunities than he currently does.