Next Up Recruits Camp: Mike’s 2026 standouts
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Continuing my coverage of the Next Up Recruits Camp, in this article I’ll break down the 2026 standouts from the camp. If you want to check out my 2024 and 2025 standouts click on the year you want to view!…
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Continue ReadingContinuing my coverage of the Next Up Recruits Camp, in this article I’ll break down the 2026 standouts from the camp. If you want to check out my 2024 and 2025 standouts click on the year you want to view!
One of the top shooters in the event and in Kentucky as a whole, Spurlock put on a show in the all-star game at the end with back-to-back-to-back 30+ foot 3-pointers to end the first half. A guard who needs little time and space to fire away from NBA range, Spurlock can catch fire in a hurry. His scoring style of play translates well to open run type events, and it wasn’t surprising to see him put up big time performances at this camp.
Highlights
One of the bigger prospects at the camp, Close is a unique prospect to watch with his size and offensive versatility. Skilled with the ball in his hands, Close is able to stretch the defense with 3-pointers or passes after the defense keys in on him with the ball in his hands. For Close, the most important development in his game is probably foot speed defensively. For his size, Close moves his feet pretty well right now and will look to continue to be able to hedge and switch when guarding pick and rolls. As a high school player, Close has the size to score at will in the paint and could put up monster numbers this winter.
Liked Hutchinson’s game as he knew how to play off the ball with a couple cuts to the basket for easy layups. A good body with room to develop physically over the next couple years, Hutchinson should be spending a lot of time in the weight room in the fall to continue to improve his strength and athleticism. His motor also impressed me with a handful of second chance points. A steady contributor all day on Saturday, Hutchinson was one of the more consistent prospects at the camp.