Half II of my recap from The Battle Earlier than The Storm in Fort Price, Texas held final weekend highlights the 2027 prospects (rising juniors for the 2025-26 season). On this group, I noticed a bit greater than a handful of High 100 stage abilities and potential 5 Star recruits. Let’s dive proper in.
AB Elite Is Rolling!
AB Elite 16U was clicking on all cylinders because the membership moved the ball nicely and quick, made jumpers and blended their shot food regimen of makes an attempt from past the arc and on the rim. Beckham Black, who led Duncanville (Texas) to the UIL Class 6A state crown and a High 25 FAB 50 rating, was unbelievable right here and was the very best guard general on the fitness center.
Black has an excellent excessive really feel for the sport and is aware of how you can manipulate defenses. He’s a superb off-ball screener and may win a sport along with his passing and scoring. I really feel Black has improved as an isolation scorer. He doesn’t have loopy blow by pace, however he is aware of how you can change speeds and path nicely to maintain the defender off stability. He is probably the greatest 2027 guards within the nation.
Marri Wesley was a person amongst boys this previous weekend, embracing and ending by way of contact with ease. He is additionally a matchup subject as a consequence of his deal with, improved capturing and ending capabilities. The UIL Class 4A D1 State Tourney MVP, Wesley has made a robust case as a high 100 participant nationally.
Capturing guard Brayden Williams was productive as nicely. Environment friendly as a spot-up menace and he made finishes above the rim off lobs or when he attacked a closeout. Williams strikes nicely with out the ball and makes defenders pay when given house to shoot.
Xander Pruzinski has improved over the previous yr. The ahead out of Frisco Memorial confirmed good vertical pop, as he rebounded and completed above the rim. His motor and skill to play by way of physicality higher has allowed Pruzinski to impression video games in longer stretches.
Dawson Battie Will Keep In The 5 Star Convo
There was numerous buzz within the Metroplex when Dawson Battie introduced he was going to play for YGC Pro16 this membership season. Ranked twenty fourth on ESPN for the 2027 class, Dawson made a case in Fort Price to climb up the ladder. His jumper has noticeably improved, as he was making spot up threes vs. laborious contests and his mechanics regarded extra refined. Battie has added muscle to his body, which permits him to play by way of contact higher. Critically, this was one of the vital full outings I’ve seen of Battie and if he can proceed to shoot it at a excessive effectivity, he’ll see his inventory climb.
Weekend Overview: Reese Alston
Alston was dynamic with the ball in his fingers and generated numerous consideration. He is aware of how to attract fouls and get to the foul line. As soon as he drives and has the defender on his hip, he has an array of the way to maintain the defender at an obstacle wherein they don’t have any selection however to foul.
Alston takes dangers along with his passes which is ok. Typically they don’t pan out, however he sees the ground nicely and may thread the ball in tight areas. Extra on the streaky aspect as a 3-point shooter however as soon as photographs begin falling, he’s a really robust cowl as a result of he can get to the rim comfy as nicely. Reese has a excessive really feel for the sport and is aware of when he must be extra assertive as a scorer or when to share the wealth. The TAPPS Class 4A MVP and state champion, the son of former NBA guard Rafer Alston continues to construct a robust resume for himself and a no brainer High 50 participant.
Occasion Inventory Risers
Drew Man, 6’5 CG (Texas Affect 4:13 UAA 17U)Proficient guard prospect that performed as a major and secondary ball-handler. He can flip the nook and get to the rim, shoot it off the catch and makes use of his long-arms on finishes. There’s upside as a playmaker and I’ve seen Man make correct passes with both hand. He’s a excessive main prospect that may have an opportunity to be a high 100 participant by summer time’s finish.
Avery Moses, 6’4 CG (Southern Assault 3SSB 16U)A guard prospect with good positional dimension. Moses performed nicely off the dribble and is aware of how you can get the place he desires with the ball. His change of pace and quickness, particularly at his peak, is spectacular. His outing vs Gulf Coast Blue Chips was an eye fixed opener, however I felt all three video games in Fort Price showcased his scoring and particular person protection prowess. One other child that might be on the radar of excessive main packages.
Armani Inexperienced, 6’4 Wing (Max Ranges P32 16U)Sturdy and aggressive driver that assaults with both hand successfully. Inexperienced’s motor stayed on and since he embraced contact so nicely, he executed on “And 1” alternatives a number of occasions. A no brainer D1 prospect. One to maintain tabs of going ahead.
David Balleraine, 6’9 C (Southern Assault 3SSB 16U)A contemporary rim-protecting beast that’s a play finisher and lob menace. His expertise as a face-up menace are rising, however his potential to complete excessive above the rim and swat photographs at an elite stage stands out probably the most.
Jeremiah Thirdkill, 6’4 Wing (Max Ranges P32 16U)Two-guard with lengthy arms and sufficient vertical pop. Thirdkill is an easy leaper that performs with an edge about him. Shoots it nicely off the catch and succesful connecting photographs off the bounce. Doesn’t appear to be he’s performed rising, both.
Extra Standouts
Kavian Bryant, 6’2 PG (Southern Assault 3SSB 16U)A star twin sport athlete (Grid-Hoop), Bryant is a pure bucket getter. Solely performed on Sunday however that one sport confirmed how dynamic of a scoring menace he’s. Placing the ball by way of the opening got here off effortlessly and he appears to be like to have grown, peak clever, since I final noticed him within the fall.
Payton Jones, 6’1 PG (Gulf Coast BlueChips UAA 16U)Hyper-competitive guard is an everyday customer of the paint. Jones additionally made defenders pay that gave an excessive amount of house by connecting on triples. I actually preferred his motor and toughness blended with the skillset.
Isaak Hayes, 5’9 PG (Max Ranges P32 16U)Artful guard, albeit on the small aspect, is a really robust cowl. Made deep threes, is aware of how you can get to his spots and sees the ground nicely in transition. Kicks the ball up forward and makes correct cross court docket passes.
Jonathan Bradley, 6’0 PG (ASAK Elite 3SSB 16U)Lengthy-armed lead guard that has an array of ending choices vs size. Bradley adjustments speeds nicely and is an sufficient pull-up shooter. He’s not the quickest with the ball and he doesn’t have loopy bounce, however he has a knack of attending to his spots and holding the defender trustworthy.
Elijah Coppock, 6’4 Wing (Ballers Nation NTX Professional 17U)Lengthy-term wing prospect whose greatest basketball is forward of him. Having grown near 3-4 inches in little over a yr, I do suppose E.J. will see one other progress spurt earlier than his highschool profession is over. An environment friendly 3-point shooter that’s taking part in up on the 17U stage, Coppock had moments final weekend that confirmed he is usually a D1 prospect down the highway. Instruments are there.
Jeremiah Grigsby, 6’4 PG (Dallas Showtyme UA Rise 17U)One other guard that performed up on the 17U stage. He is a string-beaned, shifty guard that has numerous upside. Actually creates house along with his crossovers and may cease on a dime and launch. A really keen passer too, as soon as he can always play with a decrease heart of gravity, Grigsby is usually a extra environment friendly participant.
Amir Bryant, 6’6 Ahead (Cooz Elite Pro16U 16U)Excessive motor, long-armed athlete that flies up and down the court docket. Bryant’s skillset will catch as much as his athleticism ultimately however he simply has a nostril for the ball. A winner of 50-50 alternatives and in the suitable spot to seize an offensive or defensive rebound. Very athletic participant that doesn’t want a play drawn for him to make an impression offensively.
Deuce Hunt Jr, 6’0 CG (YGC Pro16 16U)Deuce was simply okay, at greatest, to be trustworthy vs. AB Elite, however I believed he completed out the weekend very robust. Additionally, it’s a March membership match…. it’s not that critical. A scoring guard that may be deadly in doses as he can actually make photographs off the bounce. Hunt has deep vary on his jumper, but it surely’s the pull-up capturing that impressed me probably the most. This membership season might be one the place we see Deuce on the ball extra and be challenged to make others round him higher so we are going to hold observe of that.
