Sponsored Shoe Teams Preview – 16U
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There’s nothing more that I look forward to in the spring then getting out to an AAU gym somewhere and watching games. It’s not only a time to watch good basketball, but also check out the talent on display, from…
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Continue ReadingThere’s nothing more that I look forward to in the spring then getting out to an AAU gym somewhere and watching games. It’s not only a time to watch good basketball, but also check out the talent on display, from the 15U level to the 17U level. However, as we get the shoe event weekends off to a fast start (at least for Adidas already), it’s important to have a lay of the land on who’s playing. Check out our previews for some of the shoe teams that play within North Carolina from the 16U division below, as they get ready to be able to be officially contacted by college coaches for the first time.
If we’re being honest, this Team United group should be nothing short of disgusting considering the top end talent they have been able to put on their roster. A top four of Rivers Knight Rivers Knight 6'9" | PF Combine Academy | 2026 State NC , Markus Kerr Markus Kerr 6'5" | SF JL Chambers | 2026 State NC , Justin Caldwell Justin Caldwell 6'9" | PF Trinity Christian | 2026 State NC , and Bradley Floyd Bradley Floyd 6'5" | CG Kings Mountain | 2026 State NC will compete with anyone in their division, and Virginia standout Trey Beamer Trey Beamer 6'2" | PG Carlisle | 2026 State VA is coming down to play with them as well. Knight and Caldwell will hold down the frontcourt as two skilled bigs who can space and stretch the floor out of ball screens or off the catch, while Kerr and Floyd both are of the long wing archetype who will put pressure on the rim as well as being able to handle and distribute the ball a bit as well.
This could be the best group of the three that Team Curry has this summer, with a ton of underrated names that deserve more attention both across the state and regionally. Ian Bailey Ian Bailey 6'2" | CG Asheville Christian Academy | 2026 State NC is a guy with such a great feel for the game as well as an ability to put pressure on the defense constantly in order to get open looks and buckets, while Heimir Helgason Heimir Helgason 6'8" | PF Asheville School | 2026 NC is an Icelandic standout new to the Asheville School that needs more attention sooner than later. Helgason’s fluidity at 6’8 and his ability to space and stretch the floor is something that can be used at all levels, and he should be a surefire D1 player soon. Denelly Coppedge Denelly Coppedge 6'4" | SF Greene Central | 2026 State NC is a high motor wing with a ton of athleticism and endless athleticism and speed, putting other guards in a torture chamber with how hard he plays. This group will make noise on the UAA circuit starting this weekend in Rock Hill.
Team CP3 are the defending Peach Jam champions, and they’ll be running it back with largely the same group that helped them get there last year. Dionte Neal Dionte Neal 5'10" | PG Reidsville | 2026 State NC and Kendre Harrison Kendre Harrison 6'8" | C Reidsville | 2026 State NC will take their elite pick and roll combo back to the grassroots circuit, as Neal looks to rack up the assists while Harrison provides the physicality and lob threat inside. Toot Clay and Jaire Richburg Jaire Richburg 6'4" | SF East Forsyth | 2026 State NC will provide support on the wing as both can play high level defense, guard multiple positions, and provide solid offense on the other end of the floor. When it comes to offense, then the team has Ashton Pierce Ashton Pierce 6'3" | SG North Mecklenburg | 2026 State NC and Cole Cloer Cole Cloer 6'6" | SF Orange | 2026 State NC at their disposal, both proven shot makers and scorers at multiple spots on the floor.
CP3 will be one of the only teams in the nation that may match up better with Team United , and I hope we can get a matchup between the two early on in this grassroots cycle.