2028 Kenyon St. Louis (WS Christian)
Getting our true first viewing of the new and young point guard in North Carolina, St. Louis really impressed with his feel and ability to run the show. Looking like a true floor general, St. Louis displayed tremendous poise, control, and feel in helping run the show. The 2028 guard really was able to flourish with his ability to see the floor and make strong reads on the court, whether it was facilitating or scoring off the bounce. St. Louis showed patience, found his teammates for open shots, and did a great job in making plays off the bounce and scoring with touch over defenders. He is a highly skilled point guard who you feel comfortable in controlling the game and running the show.
2027 Tyler Brown (Ambassador Christian
The 6’8 fluid big man really impressed and stepped up in a big-time matchup. Brown has always shown the mobility and athleticism that you have to like in a big man, but he impressed with his overall activity in the paint and on the glass. On several occasions, he was able to create second-chance opportunities or find ways to get to the free-throw line with his activity. He brings tremendous bounce, finishes strong at the rim, runs the floor well, and shows the ability to alter shots on the defensive end. Brown is going to be a big part of this team’s success, and you can see he has really developed his overall feel.
2028 Bobby Montgomery (Queens Grant)
Talk about a show from the young guard, Montgomery completely turned the game around quickly and opened up a big lead for his team with his shot-making ability. Looking to make his claim as one of the best shooters from deep in the state of North Carolina, he certainly put on a show from the perimeter. Montgomery was hunting for his shot and he certainly was delivering, barely touching the net on many of them as he could not miss. On the night, he finished with 9 3-pointers and led his team in scoring impressively.
2026 Elhadji Diallo (Combine Academy)
It was good to see Diallo back in North Carolina, as he had to step up for a short-handed Combine team on Day 1. The 6’7 prospect was able to bring value in several areas of the floor for his team, whether it was attacking the basket with his strong frame, facing up and knocking down shots, stretching the floor well, and also being a force on the boards as well as altering a few shots defensively. Diallo should continue to be a focal piece for this team throughout the season.
2026 Jordan Buzzard (Carmel Christian)
Buzzard started a bit slow but really started to get going in the second half for his team, as the forward will be a big piece for his team this year. Not only will he bring size for this team down low, but his ability to comfortably put the ball on the deck, score off the bounce, finish at the rim, and bring activity on the offensive glass will be huge overall throughout the season. Buzzard shows a strong overall feel at his position and should be used in a variety of ways for his team.
2026 Neal Swindell (Caldwell Academy)
Swindell is a player that I would keep an eye on this season, as he has a chance to really flourish even more and help lead this team to another big season. He showed that throughout his game on Day 1, not only a physical offensive presence but also played with a ton of energy on the defensive end. Offensively, Swindell flourishes well in using his frame and making strong reads, attacking downhill and getting to the rim, and finishing strong at the rim as well as through contact. But again, he has proven he can be a versatile scorer inside and out, playing with a ton of confidence. On Day 1 though, it was the energy he brought all over the court, making those hustle plays, flashing his athleticism defensively, and just bringing an impact all over.