NC Grassroots Recap – Additional Stockrisers
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With the AAU live period now finished for the summer, it’s now a good time to start recapping the grassroots season as a whole. From some outstanding squads, to some serious stock risers, to some new names we need to…
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Continue ReadingWith the AAU live period now finished for the summer, it’s now a good time to start recapping the grassroots season as a whole. From some outstanding squads, to some serious stock risers, to some new names we need to get eyes on, there’s a whole lot to cover. The great news is, with the drop in events, we’re going to be starting a new series to discuss the season as a whole. Today’s article will be covering a few more of our favorite stockrisers in the group, whether it’s 2024s making a statement for college coaches, or 2026s putting their names on the map for the first time.
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Cain showed off all sorts of toughness, defensive intensity, and playmaking ability whenever I watched him this summer, and his recruitment and ranking should receive a boost as a result. He’s definitely undersized even as a lead guard, but many coaches have told me those kinds of guards need to be scrappy, physical, and elite at something, which he checks all three boxes. His playmaking abilities are very impressive, seemingly getting every one of his teammates involved somehow and making sure he is careful and efficient with the ball. That, combined with his physicality and toughness as an on ball defender, should turn him into a college level player this upcoming year.
Highlights
Gladieux has been an impressive perimeter shooter throughout the course of his high school career, but has added a lot of combo guard skills to a much more impressive 6’2 frame headed into his junior year. With Scott Wood Elite he showed these skills off, becoming an important scorer and shooter for them and showing he could handle the ball and lead his team for extended periods of time. He makes consistent plays with the ball in his hands, either getting to jump shots or finding teammates for easy buckets. With a transfer to Apex Friendship and more opportunities to shine, look for him to pick up more offers along with his first offer from College of Charleston this year, as well as a rankings boost.
Graves is poised to become a big part of the Bishop McGuinness rotation this year, and has had a big summer competing in grassroots action. Like seemingly many others in the NC Spartans program, he’s a deadeye shooter who made defenders pay all summer when he was left alone from beyond the arc. In addition to his shooting, he’s smooth with the ball in his hands, dicing up defenses and making the right reads consistently. He posted efficient numbers all summer and limited making careless decisions, meaning should continue to do the same at high school level. With that, what is there not to like about a ball handling guard who makes good reads and shoots it at a high clip?
Highlights
Giant has been impressive playing up all summer with the NC Spartans and other groups, and has parlayed it into a Division 1 offer and joining PHHoenix Prep in Arizona for the upcoming school year. He’s very athletic and physically mature already, with a strong frame at 6’3 that he uses to overpower opposing guards. Still primarily a slasher in his scoring game, but that frame is what causes him to win most of those battles around the rim. He’s showing improvements in his playmaking and court reading ability, big weapons for what will be a step up in competition next year.
Machot is a new talent rapidly improving and receiving offers and interests from many schools across the country, with a huge frame, elite rim protecting skills and a lot more room to grow. He’s a true 7 footer, with extreme length to match it. This allows him to swallow up rebounds and really protect the rim, whether on ball or as a rotating shot blocker. His biggest improvements need to come in the strength and weight department, but with another year and a college weight room these can be accomplished quickly. Offensively he shows a lot more than you’d expect, with a bit of perimeter game but a lot of dunking and rim running. He’s improving quickly and should receive a large boost in the next rankings update.