Elite 50 Middle School Showcase: Standouts, Part II
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It’s never too early to start building the 2026 class in the state of North Carolina and this past Saturday, Rod Bridgers and his HoopStateNetwork crew hosted the Elite 50 Middle School Showcase at Word of God Academy in Raleigh,…
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Continue ReadingIt’s never too early to start building the 2026 class in the state of North Carolina and this past Saturday, Rod Bridgers and his HoopStateNetwork crew hosted the Elite 50 Middle School Showcase at Word of God Academy in Raleigh, showcasing quite the talented group of prospects. Here’s a look at Part II of some early 2026/27 standouts in North Carolina.
Tayshawn Adams Tayshawn Adams 5'10" | CG Southeast Raleigh | 2027 NC | 5’9 Guard | 2027
Adams is an electric guard with nice upside that starred at the Elite 50 Middle School Showcase. He showed off his ability to heat up in a hurry with five 3-pointers in a row in leading his squad to a victory in their first game of the day. He’s got good speed getting downhill and creating off the bounce with paint touches. As he develops and learns to handle pressure from bigger defenders, he’ll be a name to know in the 2027 class.
Josiah Sanders Josiah Sanders 6'7" | CG Berean Baptist | 2026 State NC | 6’2 Forward/Wing | 2026
Sanders is a new face that turned heads on Saturday with his ability to shoot the ball, handle pressure and defend. He had a cast on his hand but it didn’t slow him down much as he still showed off an ability to rebound, defend and make plays for himself and others. When healthy, he’ll be a prospect to revisit very soon given his activity on the floor.
Kobe Edwards Kobe Edwards 5'9" Greenfield | 2026 State NC | 5’9 Guard | 2026
Edwards is a speedy guard that didn’t back down from bigger players at the Elite 50 Middle School Showcase. He’s due to grow a lot more while showing off his ability to get by defenders and dig in on the defensive end. As his confidence grows and he shows he can finish in the paint, look for his name to grow in the 2026 class.
Rivers Knight Rivers Knight 6'9" | PF Combine Academy | 2026 State NC | 6’7 Forward/Center | 2026
Knight is a sizeable prospect at 6-foot-7 that did well to use his size to make his presence felt in the paint. He was one of the best rebounders of the day, showing off his ability to find his way to the paint and meet rebounds at the highest point to clean up the offensive glass. He has solid footwork and mobility and should be a 2026 prospect to track over the next few years.
Tyson Thompson Tyson Thompson 6'9" | C St Paul's | 2026 State NC | 6’6 Forward/Center | 2026
Thompson showed good instincts around the rim and paint area at the Elite 50 Middle School Showcase. He had good touch/hands around the rim and a number of tough finishes in traffic to show off his length in the paint. As he improves his mobility and continues to develop his skills, he should be quite the prospect to track over the next few seasons.
Ekene Ogboko Ekene Ogboko 6'6" | C South Garner | 2027 NC | 6’6 Center | 2027
Ogboko is a prospect that continues to impress and also a Fab40 Alum that was among the standouts at the showcase this past Saturday. He’s got good size he uses well to establish position in the paint and finish around the rim. As he continues to improve and develop his game, he’s a prospect that should be fun to watch in the 2027 class.