I started by taking a look at lesser known prospects who participated at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., who could be big-time college players, broke down my 2027 player evals from the event and conclude my coverage with a look at the 2026 standouts.
Amadou Seini, 7’2 C – CIA Bella Vista (AZ): Big, made his presence known inside, has a promising touch around the rim and a very solid vertical athlete. Raw, but possesses physical tools and has been productive this season.
Lucas Morrillo, 6’7 SF – Newman School (MA): A ball at hand wing that’s a high level passer. Didn’t shoot it well but he’s skilled, can pass off the bounce with either hand and utilizes his size advantage on the mid-post. That team closed out their game with him bringing it up and initiating offense.
Photo: Greg Stein/Made Hoops
Bruce Branch, 6’7 SF – Prolific Prep (FL): Was impressed with his two-way ability. Took the challenge of guarding Marcus Spears Jr. early and can hold his own on the perimeter as well. His cutting and ability to attack closeouts for the floater or finish at the rim was shown. I thought he showed a strong all-around game vs Dynamic Prep.
Caleb Holt, 6’5 SG/SF – Prolific Prep (FL): His shooting has improved. Maybe not aesthetically pleasing but there’s more spin and it’s going in consistently. He’s shooting it at 40 percent from deep. Defensively, he’s incredible. Harasses ball-handlers, a very good team defender that covers ground and swallows up actions on his own.
Christian Collins, 6’7 SF – St. John Bosco (CA): Collins is having a terrific senior season. Scored 24 points and nine rebounds vs. Columbus (FL). His offensive game is more polished. The handle is stronger and he’s playing under control when generating his own look. He’s one of the best players in the country and getting better.
Cam Williams, 6’11 PF – St. Mary’s (AZ): Very impressed with his size, mobility and emerging skill. A 31-point performance vs. Paul VI (VA) and what Cam brings to the table at his size, skill and upside places him in the No. 1 player convo.
Jason Crowe, 6’3 SG – Inglewood (CA): The way he scores translates to the highest level of basketball. He California’s all-time leading scorer by a large margin and collected a Hoophall Classic record 48 points. He isn’t fazed by any contest and his elevation on his jumper, especially off the bounce, allows him to score vs. anyone.
Abdou Toure, 6’5 SF – Notre Dame (CT): A freak athlete that plays the right way. His jumper isn’t far off, either, as he made free throws at a respectable clip. When Toure got downhill, it felt like it was going to be an automatic two points. Defense is his super power. Impressive one-on-one defender that tracks the ball and can block shots at his peak.
Jordan Smith, 6’3 CG – Paul VI (VA): Had a 34-point performance after missing the last two games of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. His jumper has cleaned up and he’s a dependable mid-range shooter off the bounce. He’ll be a dependable 3-point threat at some point in his career. No one has had a better basketball season than Jordan Smith and I can see why he was the preseason top vote-getter in the Mr. Basketball USA Tracker. A downhill, explosive guard with a next level body and improved skill-set.
Tyran Stokes, 6’8 PF – Rainier Beach (WA): Tyran’s shooting touch seems to be improved. His misses weren’t wild, even though his shot selection at times was. At 6-foot-8 with the ability to switch and guard when he wants to but also bring a versatile offensive package. He’s the No. 1 prospect in the class still.
Tristan Reed, 6’9 PF/C – Link Academy (MO): I like Tristan’s game. A wide body post that plays with adequate physicality. Good leaper and has a soft touch around the rim. Reed flashes short roll playmaking and scoring, too.
Carlos Medlock, 6’1 PG – Link Academy (MO): A relentless bucket getter that you can count on to score it in late shot clock scenarios. The play-making is something I think will need to improve, but Medlock is a Izzo type of guard and will have a successful career in East Lansing.
Kuol Deng, 6’11 C – Oak Hill Academy (VA): Hard playing big man that tries to out-run his man for finishes at the rim. He scores off put-backs and completes the play from the dunker spot. He has a good motor, ideal arm length and intent on the glass. Will need to add more muscle to his frame for sure but there’s something to work with.
Deron Rippey, 6’2 PG – Blair Academy (NJ): Rippey at the Prep Event turned it on when he needed to as the dynamic scoring and play-making ability was shown. Having an incredible scholastic season.
Chase Foster, 6’8 PF – IMG Academy (FL): IMG had a forgettable weekend, but a bright spot was Foster, who played a lot on the ball. He’s not a point guard at all, but he showed he can be a matchup issue on the offensive end. Drove with either hand to the rim, found the cutters on his drives and played a physical brand of basketball offensively.
Tarris Bouie, 6’6 SF – Spire Academy (OH): Bouie is lethal in transition as a finisher and in the half-court, he attacks closeouts to find the rim, off-ball cut well and can make an open three. He’s agile, has long arms and explosive vertically. Hasn’t been talked much about how good of a season he’s had, too.
Caleb Gaskin, 6’8 SF/PF – Columbus (FL): He’s a skilled big wing with adequate passing chops, that’s more than a functional ball-handler. He can self create and uses his body to absorb contact, create space and score from 15 feet in. His basketball archetype is translatable and even with his deficiencies, he’s one of the tougher guys to defend one on one.
Darius Ratliff, 7’0 C – Archbishop Stepinac (NY): At footer with legit 33-point shooting chops and overall touch. Ratliff was blocking shots, his presence was felt when players were trying to attack the rim and offensively, he’s a reliable floor spacer. Darius leaves me wanting more in the rebounding department, but he’s super talented.
Dakari Spear, 6’4 SG – Dynamic Prep (TX): Not many have played better than him this season. Especially vs this level of comp. Perimeter shot making, ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line. Spear is someone that doesn’t need much space to launch and connect. Nothing else needs to be said that hasn’t already.
Austin Goosby, 6’6 SG – Dynamic Prep (TX): A big guard prospect that primarily plays the 1 for Dynamic. Played within the flow of the team, can really defend and switch hard. He was assertive when he needed to be. His positional size coupled with high skill, feel and poise keeps him in his range. The team is 15-1 since he joined.
Seven Spurlock, 6’5 SF – Dynamic Prep (TX): An outside dog that’s a big-time competitor. Made a few timely threes, won the 50/50 balls, and rebounded through contact and finished vs length. His attitude has always been what’s held him up but he has a better handle on it. Every college needs a player like him.
Joe Philon, 6’7 PF/SF – Montverde Academy (FL): He’s one of the better overall defenders in the country. He deflects so many passes and covers ground very well. He altered shots at the rim and perimeter, offensively, he excelled as a slasher, off ball cutter and put-back artist. Philon had a good weekend.
Editor’s Pick
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