WV April Recruiting Buzz
So we’re just over a month after the WVSSAC State Tournament and we’ve had all teams and circuits get started and have opportunities to be seen. Lets talk about the buzz around the 2025 and 2026 players and their recruiting.…
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Continue ReadingSo we’re just over a month after the WVSSAC State Tournament and we’ve had all teams and circuits get started and have opportunities to be seen. Lets talk about the buzz around the 2025 and 2026 players and their recruiting.
- Xavier Kirk Xavier Kirk 6'2" | CG Hedgesville | 2025 State WV is one of the hottest names in WV basketball recruiting right now. Kirk has quickly went from little to no interest to pulling interest from a handful of D1 programs. Will it lead to offers? Nobody knows but rest assured Kirk is going to have some D1 coaches keeping tabs on him and there is genuine interest as confirmed by BlueChips Nation. Kirk’s presence on the Hoop Group HGSL will enhance those chances to get legit D1 looks and interest as it’s followed by D1 coaches from every level.
- Eli Sancomb Eli Sancomb 6'4" | SF Wheeling Central Catholic | 2026 State WV will be one of WV’s best players next year regardless of class. BlueChips Nation rated him as a D1 prospect after the state tournament and have confirmed there is interest from more than one program currently. Keep an eye on Twitter as we traverse through the AAU season and see what the NXT PRO circuit scouts say about him after each tournament. It will confirm the belief that he will be a Division I prospect.
- Ruben Salazar Ruben Salazar 6'7" | SF Linsly | 2025 State WV has picked up some attention on the D2 ranks. Salazar playing for the WV Gold squad in Pittsburgh caught the eye of some D2 coaches while playing at the Pitt Jam. Ruben is a smooth and athletic wing who plays down low quite a bit for the WV Gold and handles it quite well. We were impressed with his versatility while watching and willingness to defend bigs and rebound. Salazar should project as a wing at the next level but certainly could be primarily a stretch 4.
- Gavin Parker Watts Gavin Parker Watts 6'3" | SG Tolsia | 2025 State WV has picked up steam with alot of interest from schools of all levels according to 365 Sports Recruiting. Watts is a small school athlete with big school talent. Watts is holding an NAIA offer currently and should end up on the NAIA or D2 level. A serious scorers mentality and high ceiling athletically, Watts isn’t so much a gamble coming from a small school.
- Preston Clary Preston Clary 6'1" | CG Woodrow Wilson | 2026 State WV has picked up interest from a D3 after recent success in tournament games. Clary rates out as a prospective shooting guard at the next level with great ball skills and starting to be more consistent shooting mid range. Clary could certainly be a great lock down defender which is crucial for a 2. We’ve loved what we’ve saw so far this year and expect his rise to continue.
- Loakhhae Utt-Smith is starting to heat up! Watching him in Pittsburgh made us believers. Love his pull up game from 3 as well as his catch and shoot ability. He caught the eyes of several D3’s and D2’s while in Pittsburgh. Utt-Smith is smooth and athletic with excellent lateral movement.
- Landon Sanders Landon Sanders 6'1" | PG Bridgeport | 2025 State WV has dropped off the Big Shots circuit as of now, but it hasn’t stopped him from leaving coaches impressed. Sanders is one of the most efficient scorers in WV as he shoots high percentages and seems to be comfortable playing in any system whether its for his high school or an AAU team. Crafty, quick and athletic Sanders has still demanded the attention of some D2 suitors and will likely have some options on that level.
- Cruz Isaly Cruz Isaly 6'0" | PG Williamstown | 2025 State WV has seen his recruitment quickly become white hot amongst several D3’s including some high level programs. Isaly’s services are also being considered with a few D2’s creeping into the fold and showing interest. BlueChips Nation projects Cruz as a D2 to low level D1 prospect and we’re starting to see things trend that direction.