Grit Region Kick Off: Upside
I was lucky enough to see a lot of the classes of 2025 and 2024. When watching the underclassmen, it can be like trying to predict the future. The word ‘upside’ becomes very important. Players with upside, for me, generally…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI was lucky enough to see a lot of the classes of 2025 and 2024. When watching the underclassmen, it can be like trying to predict the future. The word ‘upside’ becomes very important. Players with upside, for me, generally include players that have a great skill set to build on, desirable traits, or a high ceiling. Let’s look at some players that I saw at the PH Circuit’s Grit Region Kick Off that I feel have a really nice upside.
Lual Ayiei (Kentucky Vision Elite 2025)
Ayiei is a very intriguing big. He’s already a defensive difference maker. If he can catch his offense up, which is a typical need of young post players, the sky could be the limit.
Isaiah Chitapa (Kentucky Vision Select 2024)
College coaches tend to like agressive two way players. Chitapa was just that. He forced turnovers and drew fouls and got to the line on offense.
Rashaad Faulkner (Team Mack 2025)
Faulkner shown a skill set that could really develop. He was excellent shooting off the catch and rebounded extremely well for a sub 6 footer. I even saw Faulkner pick up 2 out back buckets. He was solid on defense as well, pressuring the ball and trapping.
Nick Glover Nick Glover 6'5" | PF Warren Central | 2024 State IN (INB Platinum Elite 2024)
Glover is a beast down low. He’s big, strong, and really dominates from the block. Glover gets position under the rim and bodies opponents out of the lane. He even showed a pretty up and under move on offense.
Kendre Harrison (865 Elite 2025)
Harrison is very talented young post player. He was powerful in the post where he controlled the glass and hit put back buckets. As he develops more muscle, he’s going to be tough to stop.
Brycen Johnson (Southern Indiana Blaze 2025)
I liked the way Johnson got the job done at multiple levels and played fearless basketball. He hit threes and attacked bigs in the paint off the dribble with no hesitation.
Bo Morse (Kentucky Vision Elite 2024)
Morse was tough as nails and really battled for position. The most impressive thing about him though, was his footwork and the ease with which he moved in the paint.
Jayce Neilsen (EG10 2025)
I came away impressed with the way Neilsen attacked the rim and made plays. He finished at the bucket and from mid range off the bounce.
Steven Reynolds (D1 Indiana)
Reynolds was lights out at the Kick Off. There probably wasn’t a more polished pure scorer in the building. Honestly, sky is the limit for this young man.
Michael Smalls (Big 6 O’Neal 2024)
Smalls showed strong hands under the rim, securing rebounds with ease. He showed a high basketball IQ when he sealed defenders when guards penetrated the lane.