The Warmup: Ascensions & Developments

April 6, 2023 by Max Feldman

As part of the post-event breakdown process, I'll again be diving into the ascensions and developments coming off a big weekend in Memphis. The ascensions portion breaks down a variety of new names or potentially fast-rising prospects, whereas the developments portion dives into the growing nuance or uptick with an already well-regarded prospect. 

Ascensions

Cenac backed some early buzz and looks the part of a potential big riser in 2025 heading into the summer. Carrying a mature 6-9 frame on the wing, his most profound impact was found on the defensive end. Off the ball in a free safety and help-side role, the Louisiana native wreaked havoc with his smarts, length and aggression. Proactively cutting passing lanes, meeting drivers at the rim and disrupting slashers guarding on the ball with hard digs. Offensively, there’s room to grow in terms of polish and feel, but the jumbo wing had his moments as a slasher, cutter and on the glass. Cenac Jr is both built and wired like an SEC wing, and his recruitment is beginning to match that.

The Placide twins have been on our radar for sometime, arising in numerous West regional camps over the last few years and are a part of what looks to be one of the strongest classes to come out of Colorado in some time. While Gavin’s long-term appeal was once again glaring, it was Gallagher whose sustained impact and skill level popped in a big way. A knockdown shooter with time and space, elite level hands, crafty footwork on the interior and an overall versatile offensive threat at what looks to be pushing 6-8. Heady, ultra skilled and beginning to come into his own as an aggressor.

On a BBE group full of talent and toughness, it was the previously unknown Clayton Jackson who opened some eyes with his two-way play in the backcourt. Loaded with strength on his frame, the Cardinal Ritter (MO) guard stood up and disrupted at the point of attack. Physical and aggressive, he excelled cutting driving lanes in the pick and roll. On the other end, the 6-2 guard shot the ball well off the catch and showed real versatility as on or off ball threat. Made the simple plays and made quick decisions in key spots. It’s not flashy, but Jackson brought plenty of value on either end and plays with an edge. The 2023 guard received an offer from SEMO just about a year ago, that list could certainly grow this summer.

The younger brother of Stanford WBB standout Fran Belibi, Franck is beginning to come into his own both physically and in his approach on-court. Stocked with big time length at 6-3, the Colorado native plays with power and aggression getting downhill. Bumps off defenders, finishes through contact, gets to the line and showed budding feel as an interior playmaker. While being very young for the class, Belibi still tends to play sped up and force the issue at times, but has shown notable progression over the last year or so and should mightily benefit long-term from the jump in competition in the EYBL this summer.

The spring is always prime territory for new names to arise. One I’ll be tracking closely moving forward coming off The Warmup? BBE’s Sheek Pearson. Lightning quick off the floor standing at 6-9 with plus length, the 2026 rim runner put a lid on the rim and impressed with his timing defending the cup. Runs the floor extremely well, played with energy and showed solid feel finishing around the rim. As expected with a very young big, with the productivity comes his fair share of fouls, rushed shot attempts and turnovers in traffic. There’s plenty to flesh out, but that should come with reps against elite competition. The St. Louis native lands near the ladder end of our 2026 rankings, but certainly has the athletic profile and defensive feel to climb over time.

Developments

McCullum impressed a few months ago in Dayton at Flyin To The Hoop, and even more so here in Memphis with a more spaced out floor. The 6-8 athlete continues to pop with each viewing as a guy that’ll get on the floor and carve out a role early on at the next level. Motor doesnt waver, unafraid of contact, consistently makes lackadaisical drivers and ball handlers aware of his presence and is beginning to expand his offensive skillset. Outside of the top 20 to 30 prospects in the class, there may not be anyone more scalable in 2024 than McCullum in my eyes. Still some ways away from stepping a college basketball floor, but the Tennessee native is one I’d expect to become a coach and fanbases favorite early on at the next level.

It wasn’t a massive box score weekend from Harris, but the upside and value he already provides were highly impressive. A walking paint touch, the highly touted 2024 guard put defenses in a real bind with his ability to force rotations in a hurry off the bounce. A smooth feel for when to decelerate, dump off or kick out to go with an advanced grip on pace made him a handful to cage up. Ways to go physically, as Harris still struggles at times to maintain driving lanes when met with contact even given his wealth of counters. Looking ahead, a ton of the upside in my eyes resides as a ball screen creator — an ultra fluid mover with mature pace who can blitz past the first layer of defense with ease. Reaching the high end outcome will go hand in hand with how his nuance as a decision-maker develops over time. One thing for certain, adding lower body strength and better being able to shield off more stout defenders will go a long way. Offers are stacking up fast for the 6-3 guard, and he could crack the top 50 nationally before long. 

First live viewing after reaping strong reviews following our 8th Grade Finale and City of Palms earlier this season, and the 2026 wing out of Florida was mightily impressive. A true pass, dribble, shoot threat at 6-6 with a high level feel, plus what appears to be a knockdown southpaw shooting stroke. Heady and assertive, the Fusion wing elevates the guys around him and brought value as a connector on the offensive end. There’s undoubtedly an edge to him as well, playing well through contact and often being the initiator when getting downhill. Came away bullish on his overall floor given the shooting ability, but there’s much more to his game and popped as a multi-faceted wing that can step up and handle more usage in some settings, while also providing value in an ancillary role surrounded by high level talent. The output may not show it, but Hammermeiser touts a skillset that will be at a premium when the time comes.

After a highly productive freshman campaign at Maumelle (AR), Lanier has steadily asserted himself as a national prospect in 2026. In Memphis, he showed much of why. On a group that thrives playing out in transition, Lanier’s perimeter defense and ability to pressure the ball stood out. Twitchy with quick hands and impressive instincts, the Arkansas native turned defense into offense regularly and displayed confidence as a grab & go threat. Not an elite level playmaker, but Lanier does have a very strong feel for making the quick read in the pick and roll or the open floor while clearly growing more comfortable as a handler in traffic since my last viewing. The wiry 6-6 wing’s best trait to this stage appears to be his overall versatility and selflessness, while LivOn’s frenetic scheme should certainly accentuate his current strengths through the summer.