Grassroots: Independent New Faces to Track

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at some new faces to track on the grassroots scene in the state of North Carolina as May approaches!</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: JAYANDERSON30, sign up <a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe">TODAY</a>!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2426881"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Twitty is a sizeable name to get to know with [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] (Forest City) on the 16U independent scene as the grassroots season heats up. He's a 6-foot-7 big man out of Thomas Jefferson Academy in Mooresboro who's shown his poise on the rebounding front so far. He racked up 68 rebounds over four games with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] this past weekend at the Phenom HoopState Finale. For those keeping track at home, that's an average of 17.0 rebounds per contest, an impressive statistic no matter the setting. He's a double-double machine in the making in the 2026 class and easily one of the biggest new faces to get to know as the month of May kicks off.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2415017"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Johnson is an intriguing point guard prospect to keep an eye on with [program_tooltip program_id='2225832' first='Team' last='Curry'] East. He knows how to push the pace and create in the open space in spurts to lead the way offensively. Defensively, he's a pest who turns turnovers into fastbreak opportunities in a hurry. As he learns to control things with his ability to get to the paint and make plays for others, he's a floor general in the 2026 class with a bright future ahead of him.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2426907"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Murphy is a name to get to know with East Carolina Elite following a productive weekend leading their backcourt. He's a 6-foot-1 guard who can defend with a ton of presence and create off the bounce with ease. He showed flashes of his ability to distribute and score while leading his squad to the 17U Championship this past weekend. He's a name for DII and DIII programs to track over the next few months as he heads into his senior year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2415029"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Griffin is a name to get to know with BiggerThanBasketball on the independent scene. He's a lead guard out of Carolina International School who's shown he can lead the offense with his ability to shoot the ball and run the show on offense. He's scored in a variety of ways while also keeping others involved on offense while bringing the energy defensively. One underrated aspect of his game is his athleticism around the rim. He may surprise an opponent or two with his ability to finish at the rim with authority as he has on the grassroots front a few times.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2426935"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Land is an emerging face to keep an eye on with [program_tooltip program_id='2078529' first='Strong' last='Center'] given his ability to lead by example. Even when the ball isn't in his hands, he finds a way to get to it and make an impact, especially as a rebounder on both ends of the floor. As he continues to improve his frame and overall strength, he's a name to keep an eye on in the 2025 class out of Middle Creek High. He put up 9.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.3 APG and 1.0 SPG this past HS season as a junior.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66311f3e28403"} /-->