6’5 ’27 Jeremiah Franklin (NLPB)
Quietly showcasing as much progression as anyone on display, scholarship-level coaches need to start laying groundwork with Franklin. Although he’s always been a big, strong, versatile wing with the ability to rebound and toggle between multiple positions defensively, he’s made massive strides as an all-around offensive piece. Franklin has transitioned from a well-rounded player who can do a little bit of everything to a two-way force. He showed the ability to handle the ball, create for himself and others, and fill it up in an impressive manner from all levels. Franklin applied powerful downhill pressure and finished through contact, but also knocked down jumpers at an efficient clip from midrange and beyond the arc. He’s a strong rebounder for his size/position with the ability to frequently make plays in transition. Franklin’s ability to affect all facets of the game should make him a prime target for college coaches.
6’3 ’27 MJ Montague (Team Loaded 804)
After watching him several times throughout the travel ball season, it’s no secret that Montague is a personal favorite and someone that scholarship-level coaches should be aggressively pursuing. He has such a smooth identity with a high IQ, sharp playmaking sense, terrific scoring polish, and the ability to reliably run a team or find success as an off-ball threat. Montague dictates the action with impressive balance between creating for others and applying efficient scoring pressure from all levels. He’s a crafty ball-handler who breaks down opponents, touches the paint, and finishes or locates open teammates. Montague shoots the ball at a high percentage from the perimeter and is capable of finding opportunities as a cutter or spot-up threat. He defends and rebounds his position well. All types of programs should be involved.
6’4 ’27 Micah Woods (Midstate Magic)
Despite some ups and downs as a group, Woods did everything possible to assert himself as a leader and focal point. He’s an incredibly consistent producer with the size, polish, and skillset to do a lot of different things on the court. Woods is a very smooth three-level scorer with the ability to fill it up from all levels while actively creating for himself and others or finding opportunities with and without the ball. He moves well without the ball, finds chances as a spot-up threat, and knows how to take what the defense gives him. Woods is a solid rebounder and defender for his position. Scholarship-level coaches should be involved.
6’7 ’28 Jovin Johnson (Team Loaded 804)
It’s quite obvious that this roster is loaded with scholarship-level pieces, and that certainly includes Johnson. He shines as a low-maintenance big man on both ends of the floor, utilizing his length, motor, and athleticism to consistently involve himself in the action. Johnson consistently rebounds, blocks shots, and runs the floor in transition. He finishes well through contact and plays above the rim with relative ease. However, Johnson also possesses a useful array of skills and the ability to expand his offensive production as needed. He’s capable of spacing the floor, attacking off the bounce, and making the extra pass. Now reclassified to 2028, expect his recruitment to see an uptick over the coming months.