Young Names to Stash

Ryan Morgan August 5, 2023 @ 09:49 AM

It's always nice to get a head start on prospective players, so I've outlined a handful of younger guys that could be sneaky recruits down the line. A few are ready to make an impact now at the lower levels while others you probably won't see make a big impact until the 2024-25 season. Either way, here are a few freshmen and sophomores to keep tabs on.   Jayden Hunt Newport '27   This is a kid I'm really excited about who shows all the headiness and playmaking ability you want from a two-way point guard. He's active on both ends, gets tips on and off the ball, can confidently deliver just about any pass and trusts his reads to make decisive plays. Hunt's also a pretty established finisher at the hoop who has a variety of finishes available and displays great footwork and elevation when attacking the cup.   [player_tooltip player_id='2173771' first='Eric' last='Olteanu'] Eastside Prep '27   Olteanu is a very effective player as a younger kid on a team that mostly played up in the 15U. He's a strong kid with good footwork to the rim and can also create some space for jumpers outside. His handle can use some work, as it looks like he relies on more strength and aggression to beat his man, but there is definite potential there as he shows the instincts and immediate feel to make the right moves. He's a decent athlete and can shoot some from 3-point, and there's a lot to like that he can build off of going forward.   [player_tooltip player_id='1878396' first='Josiah' last='Edwards'] Graham Kapowsin '26   Edwards has largely played a frontcourt role but a transition to wing-play could spell a huge turn in his development. He's a lanky kid who shows some great fight while playing on the interior but lacks some girth that ultimately has him behind the ball against bigger posts. He's already begun working to improve the foot speed, shooting, and dribbling that should make him a viable wing prospect. The work he's put in was already evident toward the end of the AAU season with his length and activity defending on the perimeter causing tipped passes and pickups.   [player_tooltip player_id='1685495' first='Mateo' last='Cummings'] Lake Washington '26   Cummings is already a kid that will burn defenses from the perimeter with his shooting stroke and shows good floor recognition, moving well without the ball to be an outlet on the perimeter. Shooting will always play and he has a clear head start in that department, but I expect his game to round out a little more as he gets older and he could be a big riser once he starts to add in more driving ability to play off of.   Drake Penberthy Bellevue Christisan '27   Penberthy is a real prospect who just has those intangibles that often set players apart at a young age. He understands the flow of the game, has spatial awareness, and can make plays all over the court. He's a taller kid who already has a natural-looking handle and likes to score just as much as he makes plays for others. Very versatile right now, I think Penberthy has a high ceiling and could get a chance to play good minutes right out of the gate at Bellevue Chrisitan.   [player_tooltip player_id='2174652' first='Max' last='Grindy'] Almira-Coulee Hartline '27   Grindy started for his high school team as an eighth-grader and was easily one of their best players already. He's got size, strength, a pretty good handle, and a real nice jumper that made him a legit scoring threat last season. He has the fight to work hard on both ends and is a kid who should garner more looks this season as a potential big name in the 1B.

It's always nice to get a head start on prospective players, so I've outlined a handful of younger guys that could be sneaky recruits down the line. A few are ready to make an impact now at the lower levels while others you probably won't see make a big impact until the 2024-25 season. Either way, here are a few freshmen and sophomores to keep tabs on.