Crossroads of The South 2026 Takeaways
It has been only a few weeks since I was last in Jackson, MS, only this time I was there to watch what the state of MS had to show on the middle school level. The Crossroads of The South…
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Continue ReadingIt has been only a few weeks since I was last in Jackson, MS, only this time I was there to watch what the state of MS had to show on the middle school level. The Crossroads of The South provided the platform, and players took advantage. Here are my takeaways from the class of 2026.
Pepper Wilson-20/ 5’9 / Point Guard / AAU: MBA OSAG 2026 / Hartfield Academy (Flowood MS)
Instagram: Pepper_Wilson3
Twitter: N/A
Make no mistake about it, if anyone made their case at being the best player at the camp, Pepper did just that. Pep has a game that is beyond his age. Has an excellent skill set and a lot of tools in the toolbox. He basically was able to get whatever he wanted on the offensive end of the court, as he scored at all levels. He has a nice pace to his game and has a hesitation move that keeps defenders off-balance.
He wasn’t the quickest player at camp, but his ability to change speeds made him as tricky of a cover as the guys with lightning speed.
He is a threat with or without the ball in his hands. When the ball is in his hands, he is a threat in iso situations or P&R situations. He can break down a defender in the iso, and he is a good playmaker coming off ball-screens for himself and his teammates. When the ball is not in his hands, he moves well without the ball, with intent in his movement, meaning he is not just moving just to be moving. He is lethal in c&s opportunities, as he has a quick release and needs very little space to get his shot off. Defenders at camp over the course of the day just did not know what to do with Pep. Opportunities for Growth: Eventually, teams will try to face guard Pep, box and 1 him, and use other options available to contain him. He has to continue working on ways to get open without the ball. I encourage him to learn how to set good screens and play out of being the screener. I encourage Pep to study film on Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, Steph, and Klay and watch how they move without the ball, then incorporate into his game what he learns. Pep also has to get better with his on-ball D.
Braden Glen Shettles -30/ 6’2 / Combo Guard / AAU: GLA 2026 / New Albany Middle School (New Albany MS)
Instagram: bradenshettles
Twitter: shettles_braden
If they were calculating stats during camp, Braden would have left with an offensive statistical portfolio that was impeccable. Stats or no stats, Braden left camp as a highly-respected offensive weapon. He got it done at all levels and put on display a vast amount of tools in his toolbox. He has good size as an 8th grader and was a match-up nightmare at this camp. Smaller guards found it difficult to contain because of his size and ability to shoot over them; bigger players that were mainly in the post that had to guard Braden were too slow to deal with him off the bounce. Braden was a playmaker that used his handles to break down defenders creating for himself and his teammates.
I was excited to see the utilization of the shot-fake in B’s game.
He has a reliable off-the-dribble jumper around the 15-foot area, and whether he is pulling up over the defender or utilizing his step back to get his shot off, he got it done at that level. I am interested in seeing Braden compete against other elite players across the country that match up in size and ability. I want to see his ability to be clutch in pressure situations and on bigger stages. Opportunities for Growth: Braden has the size to develop into a disruptive defender, and I would like to see him commit to working on that this season while playing school ball. Braden will be entering high school next year, and after his school season, I encourage him to develop a plan for the weight room and get stronger as he makes the transition into high school.
Jamal Funches -56/ 5’10 / Combo Guard / AAU: N/A 2026 / Chastain Middle School (Jackson MS)
Instagram: Showtimejayyy._
Twitter: N/A
If you have read my articles before, you know when I see a kid that can shoot the rock, I have to give him the Dick Vitale, ‘he can stroke the rock baby.’ Out of all the players I saw, no one shot the ball better than Jamal from beyond the arc. He is not just shooting it with his feet close to the line; he is pulling it from a few steps away from the line. He has a nice technique and gets it done off the bounce and in c&s situations.
I will venture out to say that if Jamal keeps putting in the work, he can develop into one of the most lethal three-point marksmen in the state of MS.
Opportunities for Growth: As he continues to become known as a stone-cold sniper, teams will run him off the line. Jamal needs to continue working on his handles, moving without the ball, and utilizing jabs and shot fakes to create space to get his shot off. Jamal showed limitations as an off-the-dribble creator but can develop in that area, which he should focus on more.
Bralen Parker -24/ 5’10 / Combo Guard / AAU: MBA OSAG 2026 / Northwest Jackson IB Middle School (Jackson MS)
Instagram: @spudparker5
Twitter: @BralenParker
I kept hearing those around me mention this player called Spud as the first game of the day kicked off. So I started asking which number is he, and they told me that he was not playing yet. So I was postured with anticipation to see this player compete. Well, let me just say this, he did not disappoint and lived up to everything I had been hearing. Spud is definitely an alpha male in this area of MS, as many around the area believe he will be one of the next great players coming out of the state of MS. You may be saying why I am saying that in this evaluation, well it is not like he has not heard it from those in the area, so I am just taking what they are saying and challenging Spud to continue putting in the work to see just how good he can be. Don’t settle for how good he has become in the 8th grade, but commit to seeing all the potential he possesses become a reality. Regarding what I saw at camp, Spud can score the rock. He is a heady player that is highly creative for himself and his teammates.
Spud picked apart his opponents all day throughout camp, generating offense for himself and his teammates.
His situational awareness was next level, as he guided teammates into scoring positions and took advantage of mismatches. Opportunities for Growth: I challenge Spud to continue to work on his speed with the ball in his hands. I challenge Spud to begin to study film on Chris Paul and add to his game what he learns. I challenge Spud to develop his plan for getting stronger as he prepares for high school.
Jhayce Harris -86/ 6’3 / Center / AAU: Mavericks 2026 / Nichols Middle School (Canton MS)
Instagram: _.ynh_jay
Twitter: N/A
Jhayce was one of the most athletic players at camp. The 6’3 lengthy center was terrific in the open court as he got up and down the court throughout the day and finishing above the rim when the lane was open. He was active on the glass and, at times, even started the break. He was extremely dominant at times in the paint.
He got countless putbacks from hitting the offensive boards.
On the defensive end of the court, he protected the paint by altering and blocking shots. Jhayce is developing his offensive game and has ways to go, but his athleticism covers up a lot of his limitations. Opportunities for Growth: Jhayce is 6’3 right now and can play the center position in middle school, but I encourage him to begin to expand his game away from the paint to the perimeter. Develop a plan to improve his handles, perimeter shooting, and creating his shot off the bounce. There is a lot to work on when it comes to his skill set but don’t get me wrong, his potential mixed with his athleticism makes him a prospect to keep an eye on his development over the next couple of years.
Stay connected because more standouts from this fantastic camp are coming your way.