UA Next Basketball Progress Performance (2026)

Harris Reynolds Harris Reynolds 6'4" | PG St. Pius X | 2026 State GA continued to perform at his best, despite Team Curry's struggles in the tournament. Reynolds is considered one of the state's top guards with his explosive combination of long-range shooting and dynamic finishes at the rim. He has made significant improvements in his 3-point shooting, starting the UA campaign at a lackluster 29% from the 3-point line. I anticipate this improvement to carry over into his winter basketball with St. Pius, with a clear emphasis on maintaining consistent 3-point shooting. His effectiveness, paired with his size and elite athleticism, has made him a standout player of the weekend.

Blake Bracco Blake Bracco 5'9" | PG North Oconee | 2026 State GA is the ideal floor general with incredible facilitation ability. Great IQ and unselfishness to find the best shot on the floor for his teammates. He can use his sign to his advantage, attacking his defender's hip. One of the most impressive parts of his game is the assist-to-turnover ratio. You can expect a 3:1 from the savy guard. Has the ability to create and score in the open court. Highlighted for his preference for offensive congruity over his ppg, he has increased his shots per game and appears to develop his scoring ability over the weekend. Bracco is held in high regard by his teammates for his vision and shot creation. His decision-making was on display orchestrating his team's offensive attacks inside and out.

Will Dopfer's finishing around the basket is quick, explosive, and creative. He is a standout player in the UA Atlanta Express and has shown significant improvement in his 3-point shooting, with multiple games featuring at least 3 made 3-pointers. As a guard for Lambert, he has established himself as one of the top small forwards in the country. He aims to improve his ranking further during high school. His scoring outside the perimeter has shown improvement. William's intangibles have complemented the team well, and with more freedom at Lambert, I expect Dopfer to continue to frustrate defenses and be a nightmare to deal with in the open court."

Gillespie had an outstanding performance over the weekend, showcasing why he is ranked among the best players in Georgia. However, he exited early during his final game. Up until that point, Gillespie averaged 21.5 points per game and made 4.2 3-pointers in 5 games. A notable game was against Texas Impact 4:13, where he scored 31 points in a close 1-point loss (63-64), making 8 out of 11 3-point attempts. Despite having fewer assists than usual, Gillespie demonstrated exceptional efficiency from the field (44%) and led the Xpress to a .500 record for the tournament with his skilled scoring.

Preston Elchols had an outstanding performance against Arizona Select, only missing 2 shots (10-12 FG) and finishing with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Elchols is listed as a small forward, but mainly focuses on interior scoring. He demonstrates excellent hand-eye coordination through his defensive efforts, recording 2 steals in the 82-68 win. He is a scrappy player with a lot of athleticism and length. His development over the last year shows a steady increase in IQ and role management.