2026: Underrecruited Names in the State (Part 2)

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at Part 2 of some underrecruited names in the state of North Carolina's 2026 rankings worth some attention as the live period cools down!</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&nbsp;<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":["1672480"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6695487cd3b9a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bailey is an underrated guard prospect worthy of attention from Division I programs in the region. While his primary position is floor general, he's shown he's more than capable of making things happen in the open court and in the fast break. He's shown he can get others involved while knocking down shots with ease and had himself a productive session this past weekend as he continues to draw the eyes of DI coaches. He holds an offer from Stetson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CoachJonesACS/status/1793728145566392525","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoachJonesACS/status/1793728145566392525 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1931994"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6695487cd3bf3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown is a wiry forward to get to know in the 2026 class as he joins Ambassador Christian in it's inaugural season in 2024-25. At 6-foot-8, he's shown a strong knack already for altering/blocking shots around the rim and being a menacing presence defensively. Offensively, he's capable of finishing around the rim and making things happen in the painted area. He's a name for DI programs in the region to get to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CoachJonesACS/status/1805042505169138042","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoachJonesACS/status/1805042505169138042 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1411219"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6695487cd3c3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Garris is an emerging name to get to know out of the 252 area as he continues to lead [program_tooltip program_id='2227290' first='Warriors' last='Life Elite'] on the grassroots scene. He's improved on his frame tremendously and it's helped in his ability to get paint touches and make things happen with the ball in his hands. He produced 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.3 assists per game as a sophomore at Hertford County High. He'll be a new lead guard for DI and DII programs in the region to keep an eye on with C.S. Brown Stem High in the Winton area this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CoachGarrisjr/status/1812215368716575171","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoachGarrisjr/status/1812215368716575171 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1280937"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6695487cd3c84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson is a physically overwhelming paint presence in the 2026 class to get to know out of St. Paul's High and with [program_tooltip program_id='2078500' first='Garner' last='Road'] on the 3SSB stage. He runs the floor with purpose and has good hands as a target which makes him a great finisher. His continued development to handle the ball and space the floor as a shooter should push his recruitment further over the next few months. Ohio University has recently offered him. Look for his offer list to grow as his junior year of high school approaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/delo_13/status/1805973804063101394","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/delo_13/status/1805973804063101394 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2464040"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6695487cd3cef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Houpt is a rising name to get to know in the 2026 class given his abilities to run the show at the lead guard spot. He's shown he can operate at either guard role given his size at 6-foot-4, but his primary role is the table-setter and distributor at the point guard spot. He's shown he can do a little bit of everything for South Mecklenburg and is poised for a big junior year after posting 8.3 points, 3.0 assists and 2.7 rebounds as a sophomore. He's a prospect for DI and DII programs in the region to get eyes on in the Charlotte metro area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/HouptBen/status/1802822897117077926","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HouptBen/status/1802822897117077926 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2446804"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2492445,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6695487cd3d48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Benjamin is another wiry forward prospect to get to know in the 2026 class out of Sun Valley High. He's put on quite the performance with [program_tooltip program_id='2446758' first='Team' last='CP3 Academy'] on the EYCL Champions stage this grassroots cycle as he's proven to be quite the dynamic wing/forward presence given his length, athleticism and skill set. His confidence attacking the paint off the bounce along with his defensive versatility is something college programs will want to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->