Next Up Recruits Camp: Top 24s and 25s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past Saturday, over 100 prospects from across Kentucky and border states converged on Lexington's Sports Center for the annual Next Up Recruits Prospect Camp. There were a lot of talented players in the building. Here are some of my standout 2024s and 25s. They are listed by order of their jersey number worn at camp. Keep in mind that I didn't see every prospect and some were surely missed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 2024s:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quinton Quarles, Jr., UHA - Quarles was impressive the first time I've ever seen him. He hit several threes in the game I watched him, including at least 2 or 3 in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1043603' first='Eli' last='Johnson'], Pikeville - Eli is among the most consistent players in the 24 class. He always shows up and gives consistent effort and plays his game. He doesn't force much and is willing to make the extra pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='939716' first='Kade' last='Unseld'], Warren Central - One of the more well known players at camp, Kade did what he does. He made a lot of shots and several from deep range. There's a reason he's one of the best prospects in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1089540' first='Derrell' last='Bateman'], Christian County - If there was an award for top performer of camp, my vote would go to Bateman. He played super hard, made shots and even tore the goal down with a dunk in his first game of the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='939115' first='Ayden' last='Evans'], Elizabethtown - Evans is already committed and really had no incentive to show up but he did and he had a good day. Ayden looks like a potential steal for Coach Boals and Ohio University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jimmy Lohembe, 212 Prep (FL) - Two years ago, Lohembe was playing JV at Apollo. On Saturday, Jimmy looked like a no brainer MM D1 or better prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1122207' first='MJ' last='Wardlow'], Bowling Green - Wardlow is an under the radar prospect with a bright future. On Saturday, he was a willing passer in a camp where not everyone was looking to pass. He doesn't force anything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 2025s:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1111948' first='Austin' last='Sperry'], Breathitt County - I only saw a brief glimpse of Sperry Saturday but he shot the ball better than I'm used to seeing and started the game I watched with a deep three right off the tip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1513496' first='Jace' last='Wardlow'], Bowling Green - Jace had one of the most impressive stretches of the day as he went on a 9-0 run by himself in about 45 seconds. I was definitely impressed with the younger Wardlow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gunnar Revelatt, McLean County - Gunnar caught my eye because he played so hard. In a setting where a lot of kids tend to coast, Revelatt took no plays off and left an impression on me thanks to his effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kristian Gerton, Bryan Station - Gerton has good size and athleticism and showed it on Saturday. A 6'3 wing, Gerton made hustle plays all day long and showed he can impact the game with his motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brad Robinson, Bourbon County - Another name that I'd never heard of before Saturday, Robinson impressed with his skills and scoring. Definitely a new name to track in the 10th region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preston Wade, Murfreesboro (TN) - Long and athletic, Wade has the frame and athleticism of a D1 player in the near future. He needs to keep refining his skills but all the physical tools are there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1240891' first='Saxton' last='Howard'], LCA - Saxton had a good showing on Saturday, especially early. Howard started losing his legs a little in the afternoon (expected after playing football Friday night) but it's clear he's grown a little bit and added bulk to his frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1587777' first='Jayden' last='Marr'], Green County - Marr plays hard and is super efficient. He doesn't get sped up with the ball in his hands and is a consistent shot maker. One of the most underrated players in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1130310' first='Malachi' last='Moreno'], Great Crossing - Moreno was fresh in from the Adidas All American Camp and only took part in the games but he's the top prospect in 2025 in Kentucky for a reason and he did nothing to diminish that status on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->