#NEXTTheStage: The Elite Prospects
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Who are the elite of the elite at Prep Hoops Next The Stage held at Indianapolis, Indiana? Those with an elite overall profile or upside to become sought after by college programs? I thought there was a good amount of…
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Continue ReadingWho are the elite of the elite at Prep Hoops Next The Stage held at Indianapolis, Indiana? Those with an elite overall profile or upside to become sought after by college programs? I thought there was a good amount of these prospects and high-end talent at the event. Prep Hoops Next is here to break things down after seeing the prospects after day 1. It doesn’t take a large sample size to determine if a prospect is elite, because many times they initially pop-out with clear physical traits or eye-popping skills. Let’s look into the ELITE ballers at #NEXTTheStage.
*Note* With some rosters not fully submitted and not having seen every team quite yet, some prospects may be left off.
Zahden Zowd Zahden Zowd 5'10" | PG IN | Indiana Bucket Boys 2028 Indiana Bucket Boys 2028 IN
The star guard for the Indiana Bucket Boys happens to be a bucket-getter himself. Plays point guard and can also score the ball. Truly an elite guard with his handle, confidence, and limitless range from three. There was a few elite shooters at NEXT The Stage, but no one could touch the range that Zowd had. It was a little jaw-dropping at times where he was pulling from, but they were on target and dropping consistently. So he could shoot it from anywhere a few steps past the half-court line and it wasn’t a bad shot. One of the more rare shooters in the entire country, and that’s not an overreaction. Just talking about his three-point ability doesn’t give his game justice. He uses his ball-handling to get by the defense through hesitations, change of speed, and ability to explode off the drive. Gets creative around the hoop as a finisher. An elite passer as well. A true baller that will go far in the game of basketball.
Emoni Lewis Emoni Lewis 6'0" | SF IN | Indiana Bucket Boys 2028 Indiana Bucket Boys 2028 IN
Emoni is a six-foot position-less prospect. Saying that a prospect can do it all on a basketball court is thrown around loosely, but it is 100% the case when talking about Lewis’ game. The versatility that he has is through the roof. It’s tough to pinpoint one strong trait in his game, because he does so much well. I thought his ability to play fast and quick in transition at a good size was noticeable. Runs the floor extremely hard and defends all over the court, giving maximum effort in close-outs and rotations. Is always attacking the ball in the air for rebounds and also loose balls to gain possession for his team. He’ll then try and turn that into a quick transition into offense. A somewhat unorthodox shot but it finds a way to go in the hoop. Finished at the hoop efficiently and aggressively.
Jack Modesitt | Indy Heat Competitive Greatness
Modesitt is a coach’s dream for his point guard and leader on the court. Highly skilled, instinctive, and plays with elite effort. A well-rounded point guard that can handle, pass, and shoot all at a high level. Plays fast with the ball and is looking to push in transition. A floor general, distributor, scorer, and shooter all in one package. Defensively he gets after it as well, giving ball-pressure and uses his quick hands and reactions to create turnovers. Sprints the floor.
Brycen Eubanks (2029) | Kentucky Bears
Eubanks is a 2029 prospect and is a tall and long 6’4”. A little bit of a projection, but I think he’s going to grow to be a very tall prospect that gets seriously recruited because of that. He runs extremely well and is elite laterally given his size. A bonafide rim-protector and shot-blocker that can get off the ground and challenge everything at the hoop. He was swatting shots left and right. One to most definitely keep tabs on to see if he grows to be 6’10”+.
Blake Williams | Bradley Elite
Williams is a springy and athletic six-foot power forward. Runs the court easily and fluidly. Great overall movement ability and vertical. Offensively, he’ll get the ball at the high post and take it straight at the hoop, using his length and athleticism to score. Protects the paint and can also roam as a defender and hold his own defending on the perimeter. He’s a kid that I’d like to see grow a good amount, because he has so many athletic tools that translate.
Amir Beasley Amir Beasley 6'4" | SF IL | Midwest Thunder
Amir probably takes home the cake for lengthiest prospect at the event. 6’4”-6’5” with an insane wingspan. Highly mobile and active on the court. Did a good job finishing at the rim, going at contact and not being shy. He was going straight at the hoop off the drive and finishing over top. Defends on the perimeter with length and active arms. Could be scary if he keeps growing physically as a wing/forward.
Reed Rutledge | DHawk Hoops
Not a big prospect physically, but Reed was the most skilled ball-handler at Next The Stage. An uncanny feel and command of the point guard position. Can attack quick off the bounce and is elite at creating space and separation. Has the ball on a string and that allows him to get to advantageous spots and relieve pressure when necessary. A lot of times a skilled handle means the prospect can shoot the ball as well, and that’s the case with Rutledge as well. His team goes as he goes.
Tristen Adams Tristen Adams 6'2" | SF IL | Midwest Thunder
Adams is an athletic guard/wing with good size and length at 6’2”. Doesn’t need the ball in his hands to have an affect on the game. Has a strong and lean muscular frame and uses it for movement and for coming up with the ball and boards. An underrated passer that was assisting to teammates near the hoop, consistently.
DeAndre Burns Jr. | Midwest Thunder
Burns is a versatile 4-man that is a workhorse. A height wasn’t listed but I’d put him at 6’2”-6’3”. Is most effective in the paint, but he has a jumper on him as well, that is accurate. Rebounded and defended at a high level. Midwest Thunder may be the top 14U team and Burns controlling things and playing with power and strength is a big reason why. High motor kid that doesn’t stop.
Ty’Eir Petty | Team Teague
Petty is a dynamic and confident point guard that is a threat to score and also distribute. A skilled handle on the ball, where he uses a variety of moves and techniques to get in the lane and be a scoring threat. A sweet float-game and ability to get the ball up high over the D. Needs to be guarded from three as well, because he’ll pull and his shot is normally on target and consistent. Started out the game versus DHawk Hoops with a top of the key three-ball that looked super smooth. Petty just seems to me he’ll be one of those players that can be a prominent scorer and playmaker at the high school level.
David Smith | Team Teague
Smith’s defensive playmaking and effort on that end stand out to me the most. A defensive-stopper in the half court. He could pick up the ball full-court and stay with quick point guards all over the court. I thought he brought down a ton of boards and was consistently finding the ball. He’s also a guard that can score for himself. Hit a deep in-rhythm three in the win versus DHawk Hoops. Was a high-level finisher at the hoop that could finish smoothly in traffic around bodies. The more and closer you watch him, the more you like him.
Damarion Luna | Bradley Elite
Luna is a long and skilled point guard. A fluid mover on the court in all directions. Somewhat of a finesse player but I thought he played hard and flew around as well. Does a good job being an instinctive defensive playmaker on the ball when it’s in the air.