Hoop Group Summer Finale: Underclassmen Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hoop Group Summer Finale concluded the summer AAU season this past weekend. The underclassmen had big performances as they helped their teams pull out big wins. Here are the underclassmen standouts from the Hoop Group Summer Finale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608257' first='Ian' last='Williams'], 5'9 PG NJ Scholars 15U 2026</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams had a monster showing this weekend as he played with both the 15U and 17U teams. The 5'9 guard was aggressive all weekend as he was consistently getting to the rim and finishing. Williams played with poise on the ball as he was unafraid of the big moment and did not get rattled by on-ball pressure. He played tough on-ball defense and showed the ability to play off the ball as well. Williams is a gamer who does whatever it takes to help his team win games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595674' first='Aiden' last='Derkack'], 6'5 SG Shoreshots Rio UAA 16U 2026</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Derkack had a solid showing over the weekend as he put his game on display. The lanky 6'5 guard exploded off the floor for dunks and attacked the rim with confidence. Derkack showed a nice release on his jumper as he wasted little motion and set his feet before he shot. He moved well without the ball in his hands and showed the ability to defend multiple positions on the floor. Derkack's stock is on the rise and it should only go higher over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Akol Nyok, 7'0 F/C Global Squad UAA 15U 2027</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nyok was one of the most intriguing prospects at the Hoop Group Summer Finale with his combination of size, length and skill. The 7-footer caught lobs and putbacks for dunks as he was always a threat around the rim. Nyok has a high release on his jumper and shot the ball with confidence from behind the arc. He influenced numerous shots around the basket as opponents struggled to score over him down low. Nyok is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential and he will be one to watch over the next couple of years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Chidi Nwosu, 6'8 F Expressions Elite 16U 2026</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nwosu may have been playing up with the 16U Expressions Elite team, but that did not stop from making an impact on the court. The 6'8 forward was comfortable on the perimeter as he put the ball on the floor and showed a good release on his jumper. Nwosu finished strong around the basket and was unafraid of drawing contact. He ripped down rebounds on both ends of the floor and used his length to influence shots around the basket. Nwosu can play either forward spot, making him a prospect to track in New England in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1919210' first='Mikah' last='Hart'], 6'0 PG [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA 15 U 2026</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hart had a strong showing over the weekend as he helped [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] get to the 15U platinum 1 title game. The 6'0 guard used his lightning-quick first step to blow by his man off the bounce and get to the rim. Hart was unafraid of taking big shots in key situations as he swished a 50-foot plus shot to beat the halftime buzzer. He played with good court vision in the half court and moved his feet on the defensive end. Hart is a dynamic lead guard prospect who knows how to make plays with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Prospects to Know:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406767' first='Munir' last='Greig'], 6'5 W NJ Scholars 15U 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2113411' first='Nasir' last='Barnes'], 5'10 PG Sideline Cancer 15U 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107943' first='JP' last='Skoric'], 6'2 SG NJ Panthers Select 15U 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1379428' first='Josiah' last='Hutson'], 5'9 PG [program_tooltip program_id='2078682' first='K-Low' last='Elite'] 15U 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790210' first='Tyler' last='Hammond'], 5'10 CG [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] Black 16U 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->