The AAU season begins this evening around the country and it’s an opportune time for the scouting team here at MADE Hoops to address some questions and provide feedback on the high school season that was. Plus, Max Feldman, Brian Flinn, Colby Giacubeno and Travis Graf attack a couple of questions foreshadowing some names that folks need to keep an eye on as the madness of spring/summer are upon us. Let’s dive into it roundtable fashion.
1. Reflect back on the high school season that was. Who in the 2026 rankings made the most convincing case for a respectable bump in the next update?
Feldman: I’ll go with a trio here, and I’ll keep it quick. Near the top, I’ll roll with Anthony Thompson. The 6-8 F moved from his hometown public school to Western Reserve Academy (OH), and proceeded to produce 21.5 PTS, 8.3 REB and 2.7 stocks per game, while 45% of his 7.6 three’s per game. Mind-numbing stuff from one of the very youngest prospects in the class who is still maturing into his frame. He’s the 3rd overall prospect in the class, and has a case for the top spot with a big spring.
Two more out west, I’ll go with Carter Basquez and Rokiem Green. Basquez is still very much an unknown commodity nationally. The Smoky Hill (CO) wing has all sorts of natural versatility at 6-6. Still filling out and putting some pieces together, but I love his processing ability paired with his pass-dribble-shoot skillset. As far as Green, he was playing on one of the best teams in the country, so his production was stunted a bit, but I’ve loved his game offensively since 2023 and the winning context led to some super impressive defensive development. Tough shot-maker with serious offensive juice and tons of on-ball defensive upside.
Flinn: I came down to two players and while I think Archbishop Stepinac (NY) guard Jasiah Jervis has taken a step forward and become more of a go-to player and leader, I think the answer has to be Worcester Academy (MA) guard Amir Jenkins. The 6-foot-3 guard was great all high school season and showed that he has that “it” factor that players need to be great when closing a game. An athletic and dynamic playmaker who has shot the ball very well, Jenkins uses this Spring to prove to the country what the Northeast already knows- he’s one of the best guards in the class of 2026.
Giacubeno: Anthony Brown put together a body of work at his new school in Archbishop Carroll that I believe calls for a bump in the rankings. Currently sitting at No. 139, he put on a clinic from an individual statistical standpoint this season in the WCAC averaging 25.4 points, 7.9 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game. Brown made the move from Paul VI Catholic to Carroll last summer in hopes of becoming the focal point of a program and he exceeded expectations in the role. Carroll was able to pull off a few big wins in league play as the underdogs and Brown’s development as a floor general that can control almost every aspect of a game became more consistent. He’ll be running with Team Durant this spring and summer on the EYBL Circuit, and I expect more impressive numbers from him as he looks to prove himself as one of the more underrated guards in the national class. If he can prove that his play will generate wins at a high rate, his stock will skyrocket.
Graf: I’ve gone back and forth on Sam Funches over the years and have become a believer over the last few months. He was good again at the Warmup this past weekend. The shot has become a real factor in his offensive game and his body looks to be in the best shape it’s been in in a long time. The lefty big man finishes well around the rim as he always has, but the added jumper consistency has been interesting to follow.
2. Who are some unranked 2026 prospects that people should keep their eye on this spring and summer?
Feldman: Bunch of names come to mind here, but I’ll go with Will Openshaw here. The 6-10 forward out of Provo, Utah impressed me quite a bit this high school season. He’s got great ball skills, moves very well for his size, has shot-blocking instincts and some sneaky toughness to him. Part of a really talented Utah Prospects team, he’ll have the opportunity to move the needle pretty quickly this spring given the amount of eyes they’ll have on them in the EYBL.
Flinn: I’m staying within the Empire State on this one. Asher Elson has made the most of his time at OTE and will suit up with The Rens on the EYBL Circuit this Spring. His reclassification back to 2026 makes the conversation more of where does he slot into the rankings at the next update, and not if.
That feels like a half-answer? No problem. Josh Powell and Peyton Miller are two unranked guards who could use monster Springs to jump into the rankings conversation. Powell is one of the best scorers in the area and will lead a Jayhawks MHC team this year. Meanwhile Miller will play his first year on the EYBL circuit with the City Rocks. A talented off the dribble scorer and playmaker in his own right, don’t be surprised to see him begin to rack up offers quickly this AAU season.
Giacubeno: Shane Pendergrass is a guy who is standing at the threshold of our 2026 rankings and has the well-positioned momentum to debut sooner rather than later. The 6-foot-9 forward transferred from Mt. Zion Prep to Hargrave Military for his junior season and not only saw growth in his game on the floor, but also took strides with developing his frame in the weight room. It should mean for a great deal of confidence heading into the UAA season with DC Premier as Pendergrass could emerge as one of the more dynamic forwards that the 17U level has to showcase.
I’m also going to push Eric Hillsman here. He brings plenty of intangibles that fit the mold as a valuable guard/wing at the college level standing 6-foot-7 with length, athleticism and plenty of potential to be tapped into. The biggest thing coming into the high school season with Hillsman was getting the reps to further polish his skill set. A plus with Hillsman is that his scoring doesn’t fuel his overall effort and production. The size and instincts come into play on the defensive side playing in the passing lanes and being a consistent presence on the floor and lead to where Hillsman shines brightest, which is in transition opportunities.
Graf: I’ll stay local here and go with Jeremiah Jackson, Cole Edelen, and Santonio Waide. Jackson will be suiting up for Team Loaded and has a football body and strength to go along with an improved jumper and high intensity level. Cole Edelen is a high IQ guard playing with Wildcat Select and should get a lot of eyes on him and his shooting/playmaking ability alongside Tay Kinney. Santonio Waide goes to the Patrick School (NJ) now and will be playing on MHC for the NY Jayhawks. He’s a small guard that can fill it up and really run the show at point.
3. Choose a 2027 prospect who you believe will make the biggest leap this spring?
Feldman: Two easy ones quick, I think Bruce Branch and Obinna Ekezie really step into a national spotlight this spring and summer. Both are real contenders for the top spot in the class long-term, and are mixing potential and production at a pretty high level early on.
Nasir Anderson has shredded USAB competition two camps in a row, and is one I think really asserts himself as a Top-10 prospect in the class. Jadyn Jenkins is another name that pops as a riser; he’s already Top-30 for us in the class, but certainly feels like one that is just tapping into his upside and is set for another leap. Will Davis, Aiden Wanrow and Jack Kohnen are three more I think begin to move the needle this spring into the summer.
Flinn: Kamsi Awaka is my choice here. The powerful finisher was more aggressive and assertive than in prior viewings, and could be one of the better 2027 big men on the Adidas circuit with New Heights this season. Like his older brother Tobe, Kamsi has the motor and skillset to play at the highest level of college basketball.
Giacubeno: I’m rolling with J’Lon Lyons for this one. The 6-foot-2 lead guard made a splash late last summer and surfaced on some radars outside of the DMV, but his sophomore season was further confirmation that he’s a name to monitor closely moving forward. He’s a dynamic threat off the bounce in isolations that uses his blend of burst, balance and wiggle to keep his defender on their toes. In ball screens, Lyons has shown improved pace and patience, which has allowed him to survey the entire floor and zip skip passes off the live bounce. He’s a pesky competitor who doesn’t hesitate to get into the mix for 50/50s and does his due diligence on the glass for his position. Lyons will be running with New World 16s this spring and should make quite the impact on the 3SSB Circuit.
Graf: Jason Gardner Jr. is going to make a big jump this summer and rack up a ton of offers in my opinion. He has the bloodline and continued trajectory to make a lot of noise during the grassroots season. Gardner can impact the game on both ends with his quickness and tenacity, and I’m a huge fan of his scoring chops.
4. What aspect are you as a scout looking at more closely this spring/summer when evaluating prospects?
Feldman: It’s about progression. I think we evaluate a larger sample size than anyone in the space, which means more data points and more context. Sometimes high school roles or systems aren’t optimal, sometimes the right coach can unlock a new level, and sometimes physical maturation sets off some dominoes for a breakout. On the court, showing signs of heightened feel and IQ moves the needle the most. Everyone matures physically at different stages and parts of their game can come along at different times, but slowing the game down mentally is a prime indicator of meaningful development for me.
Flinn: When it comes to AAU, there are so many games to be played over the coming months, it’s truly a grind that takes planning and preparation to get through. I want to see what players stay locked in come June, June, and August. In the short term, I’m always interested to see how players at this stage are seeing and thinking the game, or how teams and players respond to adversity. Guys who tend to shine in those moments, more often than not, work out in the long run.
Giacubeno: A common question that comes my way from college coaches and NBA scouts is “how much do his teammates like playing with him?” It’s a wrinkle of the evaluation process that I’ve always paid attention to, but not enough of. Particularly at the NBA level, having the intel surrounding the way a prospect impacts those around him carries a great deal of weight when weighing options about the type of person an organization will bring into their locker room.
Graf: For me over the past few years, the non-live period events have been a really good litmus test for who will shine whenever college coaches are in the building. More often than not, the players who are engaged and compete at 100% during the non-live periods are locked and loaded for the live periods rather than players who coast during them.
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