Elite 60 Freshman Showcase Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">It was my first time attending an Elite 60 Showcase, and it did not disappoint. Talent was wall to wall, and I enjoyed every minute in the gym evaluating some of the top 2026 prospects in the country. Here are a few standouts…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1603673,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Maddox-Melancon.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Maddox-Melancon-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1603673" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597727' first='Maddox' last='Melancon']</strong> (6'5/CG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">High School Team: Eagles Landing HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Maddox.melancon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Maddox_melanc0n</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Maddox is a physically gifted player with a strong frame, ready for the game on the high school level. When it came to scoring at the showcase, he was one of the best that did it. He was a high-volume scorer, and every time you looked around, he was finishing at the rim, in the paint, or with a midrange jumper. He has freakish athleticism and is a high riser looking to make posters. His downhill attack is so tough to guard because he is such a strong player with broad shoulders and embraces most contact on his way to the cup. Once he gets in the paint, he is explosive with his tremendous vertical explosion. He can play on and off the ball and was productive in both positions. His giftedness physically is one of the things that separated him amongst the best at the camp. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"><p>Maddox is a physically gifted player with a strong frame, ready for the game on the high school level.</p><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1603679,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Jacob-Zhu.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Jacob-Zhu-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1603679" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2218436' first='Jacob' last='Zhu'] </strong>(5'9/PG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">High School Team: Devyne Stephens Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Jzhuu__</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Jzhuu_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">It has been about a year since I last put ink on Jacob, and oh, what a year has made. He has gotten more explosive off the bounce and easily was one of the top players at the Elite 60 Showcase. He is an up-tempo guard who can score the rock and is also a dynamic playmaker for his teammates. His range is deep, his passing is beyond accurate, and his vision is superb. I left Global Grassroots last year extremely high on Jacob, and from what I saw this weekend, nothing has changed regarding my outlook on his game. Not only does he have intriguing tools, but he also has a lot of tools in his toolbox, and even though he started slow at the camp, when he got it going, all the tools in the toolbox were on display. He continues to be a name that will be talked about amongst the 2026 class and is making his case for being one of the top PGs in the class nationally.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"><p>He is an up-tempo guard who can score the rock and is also a dynamic playmaker for his teammates.</p><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1603680,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Brian-Clark.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Brian-Clark-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1603680" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Brian Clark </strong>(6'3/SG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">High School Team: Pope HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Bclark313</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @bclark313</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brian filled up the stat sheets in just about every category throughout the day. He shot the trey ball well, was active on the glass, active on the defensive end of the floor, getting steals and deflections, dropping dimes, and scoring the rock at all levels. He ran the floor hard, resulting in teammates getting the ball up the court to him for easy buckets. His energy and effort were unmatched, and he may not have been the most athletic or skilled at camp, but he stood out because he simply played harder than most of the other players. He is a relentless player that will find himself as the heart and soul of teams he will be a part of throughout his basketball journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"><p>Brian filled up the stat sheets in just about every category throughout the day.</p><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1603682,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Charlie-Gersmehl.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Charlie-Gersmehl-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1603682" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Charlie Gersmehl&nbsp;</strong>(6'6/F)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">High School Team: South Forsyth HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: charliegersmehl</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Charlie_Gersh</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Charlie was working the paint all day long at camp. He was strong on the glass on both ends and offensively put up points with putbacks. He is fundamentally sound big that possesses multiple ways to score over opponents on the low block. There was a stretch during one game where his teammates were feeding him the rock to run the offense through him, and great things were happening for the squad. He is a post that can score with his back to the basket, make the right reads and passes out of double teams, and even showed his ability to face up and attempt to space the floor with his perimeter jumper. He showed his ability to carry his squad offensively, and if he continues on the trajectory that he is on, he has the potential to develop into a player that opposing teams will struggle trying to match-up against and game-plan for.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"><p>He was strong on the glass on both ends and offensively put up points with putbacks. </p><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1603683,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Alex-Pace.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Alex-Pace-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1603683" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Alex Pace </strong>(6'0/PG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">High School Team: Norcross High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: imalexpace</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @the11pace</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Alex was one of the toughest PGs throughout the entire camp. His attack mindset was written all over his face as he played with the tenacity of devouring anyone that got in his way. He's tough and fearless and willing to take on all challenges. No matter who stepped up to challenge him, he quickly put them on their heels as he was aggressive in his attacks off the bounce. AP Has really solid handles and can shake the defender and get into the lane or create space for his jumper, which puts defenders in a state of complexity as they are left guessing what he is going to serve up at the moment. He orchestrates well, pushes the pace in the right moments, can shoot the trey-ball, and even locks up on the defensive end of the floor. He is a player that anyone would love to go to war with on any given night.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"><p>Alex was one of the toughest PGs throughout the entire camp. </p><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1603685,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Kingston-Whitty.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/PH-Kingston-Whitty-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1603685" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543489' first='Kingston' last='Whitty'] </strong>(5'10/PG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">High School Team: Woodward Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Kingston.Whitty</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @KingstonWhitty</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I often say a kid is one of the top shooters when I see his production at an event, but I have proof to be able to say that Kingston was the best shooter at the Elite 60 Showcase. His picture is different from others because his photo was taken after he won the 3-point contest. I would still say the same about Kingston and where he ranked amongst the top shooters at the camp because he was highly productive from behind the arc in game action. He is a wiry, twitchy guard who plays under control and keeps the offense under control. He is a reliable ball-handler that takes care of the ball, limits turnovers, and gets the ball to teammates where they can be productive. He has a great balance between facilitating and scoring and has a bright future ahead of him as a heady and talented PG.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"><p>He is a reliable ball-handler that takes care of the ball, limits turnovers, and gets the ball to teammates where they can be productive.</p><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote -->