Prep Hoops Circuit Team Preview: Auburn Raptors

The PrepHoops Circuit has finally kicked off across multiple regions. Here's a closer look at a team on the Passion Region that's worth getting to know before things get started this grassroots season.

Passion Region Introduction:

Auburn Raptors (AL)

Founded in 2010

The Auburn Raptors have built quite the name in the grassroots space, boasting eight boys squads as the grassroots season begins. Three of their squads (17U-15U) will be participating on the PrepHoops Circuit in the Passion Region after spending time on the Adidas Junior and Silver Gauntlet. President Lisa Sampson has quite the background when it comes to the hardwood. She played at Auburn University under her father, Hall of Fame coach Joe Ciampi, from 1987-91, making it to three NCAA Final Four three times and racking up the longest home winning streak in program history at 68 games. Her pedigree on the court has allowed her to become part of one of the top independent programs in the Alabama area as they continue to shape, mold and develop young men and find them opportunities at the next level.

As their recent list of alumni shows, they've done well to get their kids in front of the right people and continue to do so heading into the toughest recruiting year folks have ever seen:

2019- Garrison Brooks (UNC/MS State), Preston Cook (AU)
2020- Justin Brooks (NC A&T), Martez Jones (Tuskegee University), Kshun Stokes – UAPB
2021- TJ Madlock (SC State University), Graham Martin (UAH), Eli Elston (Marshalltown, IA CC), Chandler Alexander (Denmark CC)
2022 w/ offers – Caden Brown Caden Brown 6'5" | NA lbs | PF Auburn | 2022 State #NA Nation AL (Auburn HS), Hayes Sampson Hayes Sampson 6'0" | NA lbs | PG Auburn | 2022 State #NA Nation AL (Auburn HS), Caleb Paige Caleb Paige 6'5" | NA lbs | CG Eufaula | 2022 State #NA Nation AL (Eufaula HS), Joshua Paige Joshua Paige 6'5" | NA lbs | SG Eufaula | 2022 State #NA Nation AL (Eufaula HS), Wesley Roberson Wesley Roberson 6'7" | NA lbs | PF Thompson | 2022 State #NA Nation AL (Thompson HS), Tavaris Hardamon (Headland HS)

With six unsigned seniors left on the board with offers still on the table and a budding group of 2023s and 2024s looking to gain even more exposure, the Auburn Raptors are ready to show their continued growth as a top independent program in the Southeast region. 

15U

Caleb Pitts Caleb Pitts 6'5" | PF Auburn | 2025 State AL - 6'5 Forward - Auburn High

Pitts is already a force on the gridiron with his solid 6-foot-5 frame and is even more of a presence in the paint in the 2025 class in the state of Alabama. Look for him to be a force in the paint on both ends for their 15U group.

Finn Henderson Finn Henderson 6'2" | SG Reeltown | 2025 State AL - 6'2 Guard - Reeltown High

Henderson was a presence in the Reeltown High backcourt in his freshman season. He found himself as the leading name for their varsity squad on numerous occasions during the regular season, look for his high-level play and instant offense to carry over into the spring/summer months as a constant presence.

Jayden Buchanon Jayden Buchanon 6'1" | CG Beauregard | 2025 State AL - 6'1 Guard - Beauregard High

Buchanon is another guard to keep an eye on in the 2025 class with an ability to find his open spots for scores on the perimeter and is quite the playmaker as well with solid courtvision. He'll be a role player to watch with his ability to attack.

Cam Williams Cam Williams 5'10" | PG Smiths Station | 2025 State AL - 5'10 Point Guard - Smith Station High

Williams got some development on the JV squad over at Smith Station and should bring them another ball-handler and scorer to showcase what he can do in their backcourt.

Jailen Bush - 5'10 Guard - St. Anne-Pacelli High (GA)

Bush should give the Auburn Raptors some added depth in the backcourt as an import from Pacelli High in Georgia. He's not afraid to battle down low and defend either.

16U

Jamari Payne - 6'3 Wing/Forward - Loachapoka High 

Payne is one of the more underrated names of this Raptors group out of Loachapoka High School. He's a 6-foot-3 wing/forward with a knack for making an impact and finding the ball when he's on the floor. He'll be a name in the 2024 group that should turn heads with his versatility and athleticism.

Trevone Quint Palmer -6'4 Forward - Bullock County High 

Palmer is another versatile name to know with the Auburn Raptors out of Bullock County High. He's an energy guy on the glass that can finish in transition at the rim and does well to clean up the glass as a presence in the paint when the ball isn't in his hands. 

Elijah Thomas Elijah Thomas 6'0" | CG Hoover | 2024 State AL - 6'0 Point Guard - Hoover High

Thomas is an emerging point guard with a ton of promise over at Hoover High. He was a key face in the JV rotation this season at the lead guard spot, so look for that to carry over into the grassroots season in the Auburn Raptors backcourt.

17U

Caleb Paige Caleb Paige 6'5" | NA lbs | CG Eufaula | 2022 State #NA Nation AL - 6'5 Guard/Wing - Eufaula High

Paige is a relentless scorer with a strong frame and knack for making things happen. He produced 17.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.5 apg and 2.5 spg with Eufaula High as they went 31-4 on the season and he took home ASWA 2nd team All-State honors for his play. He's an unsigned senior with an offer already from Mississippi Delta among others.

Josh Paige - 6'5 Guard - Eufaula High

Paige is another Eufaula High attendee and also the twin brother of Caleb. He's another big-guard prospect with a strong understanding of the game as an unsigned senior. He was a third-team All-State ASWA selection after posting 16.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.1 apg and 1.9 spg in his final season as a high school senior.

Kj Graves Kj Graves 5'10" | PG Park Crossing | 2023 State AL - 5'10 Point Guard - Bullock County High 

Graves is an underrated point guard prospect name out of Bullock County High to keep eyes on with the unsigned senior squad. As the son of a coach, he's got the tools be quite the lead floor general for this Auburn Raptors team.

Carson Pringle Carson Pringle 6'5" | SF Thompson | 2023 State AL 6'4” Forward/Guard - Thompson High (2023)

Pringle is a 2023 name to know with this group with an ability to rebound the ball and protect the rim with his length and athleticism. He's an up-and-coming name to know on the 17U scene.

Patrick Screws Patrick Screws 6'6" | PF Eufaula | 2023 AL - 6'8 Forward - Eufala High (2023)

Screws is a big man prospect that already stars on the gridiron with 15 D1 offers from football programs. He's a sizeable big man to watch with this group with potential on the hardwood as well and also a high-school teammate of Caleb and Josh.

Check out the Auburn Raptors grassroots schedule below: