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Who is the Top Big Man in North Carolina’s Class of 2026?
Every year, there are debates and discussions surrounding who are the top players in the state. While these are almost entirely subjective arguments, it’s worth taking a deeper, more objective look at this topic. These conversations typically ignore positional context and long-term upside but we will acknowledge both. Although we will take a closer look at guards and wings, this article will...
read moreNorth Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 4
Team 4 Coach: Cam Corey #20: 6’2 ’26 Chaise Smith (Washington) Starting off, we look at a player who possesses a smooth, dynamic identity, Chaise Smith. He’s a smart, crafty guard prospect who can run a team and apply scoring pressure in a variety of ways. Smith showcased a high IQ, polished creation skills, and lethal penetration sense. He finished around the basket and knocked down shots at a...
read morePOB’s Best of the Best: NC Top 80 (Class of 2026)
2026 6’6 Markus Kerr (Chambers) On one of the biggest stages here in North Carolina with some of the best players around the state, it was 2026 6’6 Markus Kerr stepped up and made it easy to see why he should be named MVP of the camp. It may have been one of the best showing I’ve seen from him consistently, as Kerr looked locked in, was assertive offensively, used his size to his advantage, and...
read moreWho is the Top Tandem in North Carolina'
Noteworthy duos have long been a major part of building successful basketball teams. Even after the establishment of a “Big Three,” we still see a lot of teams at every level who excel with two star-like talents surrounded by complementary pieces. While this is obviously more challenging at the high school level, plenty of examples exist—especially in North Carolina. For the purposes of this...
read more2026 Justin Caldwell talks visit to NC State and new interests
In recent news, NC State welcomed in Miami on Tuesday night and they had one of the top players in the Class of 2026 on deck to take in the game and atmosphere. 2026 Justin Caldwell, a big man from Trinity Christian down in Fayetteville (NC), visited Raleigh to take in the game, as the Wolfpack have been expressing interest his way. Sophomore 40 Evaluation: “Finishing up, we look at a player...
read moreNorth Carolina Sophomore 40 Camp Evaluations: Team 9
Team 9 Coach: Evan Neisler #47: 5’7 ’26 Dionte Neal (Reidsville) Starting things off, we look at a player who is easily among the most dynamic guards in the state, regardless of class, Dionte Neal. He’s an undersized, incredibly smart, skilled floor general with lethal quickness and open-floor speed. Neal is a high-level creator and overall playmaker who utilizes his craftiness to effortlessly...
read moreTop Performers from the NC Sophomore 40
The 2026 class in North Carolina has a chance to be special. It has a combination of high level talent, potential and depth. It has a chance to be one of the best classes the state has seen in years. It is still early, but as everyone continues to develop, it will be exciting to see where the players in this class end up in the coming years. On Sunday, the NC Sophomore 40 had some of the best...
read morePhenom Hoops Player Profile: Justin Caldwell
Height: 6’8 Class: 2026 School: Trinity Christian Travel Team: Boo Williams Freshman Season: 12.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 55% FG What Was Recently Said: Although big men are known to develop at a slower pace, it’s quite easy to see the foundational appeal of someone like Justin Caldwell. He’s already big, strong, mobile, and physically overwhelming on both ends of the floor....
read moreNCISAA Sideline Report: Learn the Names (Class of 2026) (Part 2)
Toot Clay 2026 Kohi Strickland (Greensboro Day): I’m excited to see what Strickland can do for the Bengals this upcoming season and further down the road. He opened up more eyes about his game over the weekend, as he plays with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove while also being a playmaker on the court. He does a nice job in knocking down shots from a variety of levels,...
read moreA Closer Look: North Carolina’s Class of 2026
6’6 Cole Cloer (Orange) Between the team’s success and his individual production, it’s easy to see why Cole Cloer is already one of the top players in North Carolina’s Class of 2026. At 6-foot-6, he already has the IQ, size, and skillset to legitimately dominate a game. Cloer is a smooth all-around player who comfortably dictates the offensive action with the ball in his hands,...
read moreTakeaways from Hoops and Dreams Showcase: Justin Caldwell is Worth Noting
Being a freshman is such a unique time in a basketball player’s journey. Gone are the days of middle school ball, where having the best athlete or tallest player on the court is a near-guaranteed recipe for success. Instead, the real adventure begins (typically) with a myriad of goals and expectations being set in place for these young prospects. Some kids are capable of contributing right away,...
read moreHoops & Dreams Top Performances
Here is a list of the top performers from the Hoops & Dream Showcase presented by Lucas Moore Realty. Please note these top performers are in alphabetical order by school. Fayetteville Academy6’5 2024 Xavier Johnson: 31 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists & 2 steals on Friday. 19 points, 1 rebound & 1 assist on Saturday. 6’4 2026 Jossiah Johnson: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist...
read morePlayer Standouts at Hoops and Dreams Showcase
6’7 ’24 Isaiah Otyaluk (NC GBB) It’s easy to see the appeal with a blossoming prospect like Otyaluk, who possesses a ton of ability and long-term upside. He’s a long, wiry wing/forward prospect with great size, athleticism, and an enticing level of skill (especially for his position). His insane length is an obvious asset, and he actually understands how to use it as a finisher,...
read morePhenom Hoops Freshman Forty Evaluations: Team 10
Team 10 Coach: Gerroid Doughty #52: 5’7 Kevin Young Jr. (Riverside) Starting things off, we look at a player who made a nice impact despite being the smallest camper on this team, Kevin Young Jr. He’s a quick, unselfish point guard prospect with useful defensive instincts and the ability to score the ball from all levels. Young moves well without the ball and knows how to fill in the gaps...
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