Throwback report: The Stage Act 3 Standouts (Part 1)
The Stage Act 3 took place earlier this month, so why am I writing about it right now? I’ve got a demanding day job, folks. With that said, there were so many good prospects during the third session of the…
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Continue ReadingThe Stage Act 3 took place earlier this month, so why am I writing about it right now?
I’ve got a demanding day job, folks.
With that said, there were so many good prospects during the third session of the Southern California event that I figured they deserved the spotlight, albeit belatedly.
Here are some of the top prospects from opening night.
Best prospect:
Caleb Newton Jr. 6-4 2026 G, Team Zona
Newton hasn’t played a high-school game, yet was the best player on the floor in Team Zona’s dominant win over Gamepoint. The rangy lead guard checks off a lot of boxes: he’s got an excellent frame, eye-popping athleticism, scores it efficiently from all three levels, has excellent feel and plays with great pace. It’s early, but he’s got a chance to be a high-major recruit when it’s all said and done.
Most upside:
Davaughn Hueitt, 6-8 2025 F, Southbay Show (CA)
On a team that hasn’t lost a game this spring, it’s Hueitt that stands out as the best long-term prospect on his team. At 6-8 with solid length and coordination, Hueitt gives the group a budding rim protector and a versatile offensive piece that can score in the paint or spot up from the perimeter.
Craftiest players
Blake Carabio, 6-0 2024 PG, Team Zona 16u
The Arizona guard had a solid performance in a blowout win to open play on Friday night. Carabio has a high IQ, underrated quickness and can score it from each level efficiently, plus he is an excellent passer. He doesn’t pass the eye test, but he has serious game.
Alek Sanchez, 6-2 2025 G, Southbay Show
Sanchez makes up for his pedestrian athleticism and left-hand dominance with an impressive basketball IQ and feel on both ends. He has active hands and gets into passing lanes to trigger transition offense, and his court vision in the halfcourt is exquisite. He’s a spurt of athleticism away from being as complete a lead guard in his class in SoCal.
Toughest player
Greyson Mundis, 5-8 2024 G, Gamepoint 16u Elite
Another player that doesn’t pass the eye test but was on target opening night was Mundis, a chiseled, undersized guard who gives maximum effort and has a vastly improved shooting stroke. Really like his motor on the defensive end and his ability to stay in front of quicker guards.
Biggest surprise
Josh Thompson, 6-2 2025 G, Gamepoint
A name that is emerging in San Diego’s 2025 class is Thompson, a prospect that has a great frame, plays with solid pace, and scores it effectively off the bounce. He’s super right hand dominant at this point, and he’s streaky from the perimeter, but he’s got the tools to be a prospect to watch.
Scorer Deluxe:
Rorik Harrison, 5-7 2024 G, PB Nation Team United (TX)
One of the funnest players to watch on opening night was the diminutive Harrison, who is a volume scorer, but an electric one. Whenever he has the ball, he’s a threat to score it from well beyond NBA range, and is unafraid to take it to contact or finish in traffic with an advanced floater game.