6’7 ’28 Zyion Jones (Upward Stars Columbia)
It’s easy to see the appeal with Jones, both as a current player and long-term prospect. He’s a fluid athlete with length, mobility, and natural instincts on both ends of the floor. Jones is capable of impacting the game through his motor and athleticism, but has also made considerable strides within his development. He consistently rebounds and alters shots around the basket defensively. Jones displays touch as a finisher, but can also play above the rim or knock down open jumpers as needed. His frame and instincts give him the tools to be an exceptional talent, so it’ll be worth monitoring his progression going forward.
6’1 ’28 Jaleel Smith (Most Hated)
There are a lot of players who just make the game seem effortless, and Smith is certainly one of those guys. It doesn’t seem to matter the context or setting, he’s able to operate in several roles and fill it up in a variety of ways. Smith handles the ball with poise and craftiness, sets up others at a quality rate, and scores from all levels. He possesses a sturdy frame, which allows him to absorb contact when attacking and finishing, and makes smart decisions with consistency. Smith also displays instincts as a rebounder and forces turnovers at a solid rate defensively. Already a really useful player, it’ll be interesting to see how much more upside he has remaining.
6’3 ’28 Ayo AwoSanya (Cota Elite)
Given how much we’ve seen him over these last few years, it’s not surprising that AwoSanya continues to produce. Whether playing up or with his age group, he always finds ways to stand out on the court. He’s a fairly versatile wing/forward with the ability to handle, pass, post up, and score at a solid rate from multiple levels. AwoSanya is capable of causing mismatches through his skillset and ability to play bigger than his size. He rebounds well for his size and is capable of guarding multiple positions defensively.