BlueChips Nation WV Warmup Event: 2026/2027

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BlueChips Nation was at it again in November with a pop up event in Fairmont WV showcasing some of the state's top players in 2025, 2026 and even a couple 2027 classes. The workout directed by Ronnie Nuzum consisted of a rigorous 45 minutes warmup and workout that had everyone in a good sweat, followed by fast paced up and down action with 5v5 groups going at each other. These events are key in not only the BlueChips Nation brand but also for PrepHoops to get in person scouting done for individual players. Below is the list of 2026 and 2027's attending and what we saw for each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2303408' first='Kingston' last='Christen']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2648440,"width":"747px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/kingston.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/kingston.jpeg?w=751" alt="" class="wp-image-2648440" style="width:747px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I really felt like Christen came out strong and fairly sharp considering he'd just hung up his football cleats. His outside stroke is still there as is his ball handling. Kingston does a great job getting himself in position to score without the ball finding open spots while rotating and always ready to catch and shoot. Also looked sharp in transition both scoring and distributing. Cat's outta the bag on this junior and he'll see everyone's best defenders but he's comfortable in that territory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2306566' first='Isaiah' last='Turner']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2648768,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/turner.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/turner.jpeg?w=669" alt="" class="wp-image-2648768" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turner who's since the event has transferred to Cross Lanes Christian and reclassed to 2027 and will be a very high ranking player in that class. Turner can score it any way you want it. Transition he can pull up, dunk it, dump it or strike from three. In the half court he's great at getting paint touches with pull ups and dump offs or kick outs. Very high basketball IQ and instincts on the floor. His recruiting has a very high ceiling at the moment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2306368' first='Tavarish' last='Porter-Martin']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2648784,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/tavarish.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/tavarish.jpeg?w=788" alt="" class="wp-image-2648784" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tavarish was another player I had not seen enough of and was able to see him be himself on the floor and perform. I thought he has a great feel for the game, gets into the paint effortlessly and whenever he wants as well as finish over and around bigger defenders routinely. Porter-Martin knows his way to making big contributions during school season and getting his traction with recruiting started is being an elite defender, in which he has all the ability to do. Looking forward to watching him develop throughout this school season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2303401' first='Ashton' last='Arthur']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2656681,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/arthur2.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/arthur2.jpeg?w=471" alt="" class="wp-image-2656681" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arthur has already proved himself as a high level scorer as a player that scores from anywhere in any situation. Handles the ball like a point guard, does a great job looking for open teammates, as well as comfortable with pulling up or spot up shooting. Has every tool available to be a great player at the next level and will get there by continuing to develop physically. Keep your eye on the box scores for this guys, he fills it up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2340983' first='Connor' last='Balwanz']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2648807,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/balwanz.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/balwanz.jpeg?w=738" alt="" class="wp-image-2648807" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the rare offered 2027's who has dazzled Bethany coaches for two summers and obtained that elusive first offer between his freshman and sophomore years. Balwanz in my opinion is a complete guard. Every tool and ready to use it on every posession. His skill level is full of tangibles and untangibles and all compliment each other in every way. Balwanz doesn't look to score unless he knows he should, as weird as that sounds. He simply takes what defenses give him and has the skills to do so. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2211912' first='JoJo' last='Greene']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2648822,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/jojogreene.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/jojogreene.jpeg?w=708" alt="" class="wp-image-2648822" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greene is an early offered wing who I saw in person the first time at the WV Warmup. He's an imposing 6'4" with a broad frame that fools you when you see how quick his feet are. A wicked first step for a big guy off the wing and nothing less than a strong finisher around the rim. Greene does have the ability to stroke it deep but when he reads defenders and takes what's there, he's nearly unstoppable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2243493' first='Braedy' last='Johnston']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2648855,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/johnston.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/johnston.jpeg?w=679" alt="" class="wp-image-2648855" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnston is the guy on this list most likely to get a triple double. He is so versatile on both ends and simply fills whatever role needs filled whether its the 1,2,3 or even 4. Guards multiple positions as well with his long rangy body and has good lateral movement to cover smaller guards. Johnston's shooting has improved immensely from spring to fall and with that rate of improvement will land on someone's recruiting radar soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2306139' first='Logan' last='Boyce']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2648878,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/boyce.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/boyce.jpeg?w=777" alt="" class="wp-image-2648878" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyce does so many things well, things that go unnoticed by many. He does such a good job keeping defenders on their heels with change of direction and tempo that it allows him to operate smoothly on any part of the floor. Boyce finishes at the rim over bigger defenders effortlessly and is strong and athletic enough to get by most guards he sees. Look for him to be on someone's radar by March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2211908' first='Isaac' last='Hodges']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2648893,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/hodges.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/hodges.jpeg?w=702" alt="" class="wp-image-2648893" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hodges is a slick shooting stretch four if you will. Isaac doesn't mind playing back to basket or facing up. His mid-range face up game is likely the best i've seen in WV in the last year or so. Hodges handles it well and has no problem facilitating from anywhere on the floor which adds huge value. He's already been offered by WV Tech but will definitely see more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2306370' first='Matthew' last='Stellato']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2648914,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/stellato.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/stellato.png?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2648914" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stellato was the first guy in the gym on November 10 and was eager to compete. He's a pure competitor and plays with an intensity and grit that coaches love. I really liked the way he read the defense and was intent with the ball after. Solid passer, solid shooter and finishes around the rim very well, Matthew also pushes tempo well in transition. Loved his competitive nature with a great combination of skill. I think he can be a next level player on his current plane of improvement. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->