Fall Hidden Gems: 2026 Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second part of this series features juniors evaluated across a number of showcase events in September and October. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2632625"],"_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-672baf5b5306c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis is a modern “big,” but he's not just a post player. When his teammates give him the ball in the low post, he can maneuver past defenders with drop-steps and score over either shoulder. Then, when they kick it to him out wide, Davis can knock down spot-up threes. He'll get to showcase his overall game on that end more as a junior, but his shot-blocking ability was already on display.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2400241"],"_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-672baf5b53135"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tools, motor, and playing hard are Hopkins's major selling points and he repeatedly put them on display against high-level teams this fall. He shows his versatility with the havoc he causes at the top of WC's press and zone defenses. When his activity in-space doesn't stagnate offenses, it speeds them up and out of control. His low post scoring comes in spurts, but Hopkins is always a threat to generate second-chance opportunities as a rebounder. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2352458"],"_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-672baf5b530dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Wildcats' most consistent contributor in the summer and fall, Lane is always good for at least a couple threes. His jumper is best when he's spotting-up or coming off of a screen, but he's improving when pulling off the dribble. Almost as important as his three-ball is his playmaking off the catch. When he gets downhill on closeouts, Lane can find the gaps in the defense to score at the cup or kick the ball back out to another shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2387593"],"_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-672baf5b53193"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After playing sparingly as a sophomore, Nelson is proving to be a twitchy athlete on both ends. His feet are almost too fast for his body the way he changes directions and gets into the paint off the catch. Nelson compliments anyone he's paired with in the backcourt since he can catch-and-shoot and is willing to move the ball. The movement ability makes his defensive output from him even more impactful. He's a frantic defender at the point of attack because other guards can't get by him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1888850"],"_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-672baf5b531da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tyler will make a lot of noise in the Pub because he's such a tenacious on-ball defender. He creates turnovers in so many ways and at such a high volume that his team is constantly in transition. Being slight of frame doesn't keep Tyler out of the paint in the halfcourt because he's quick and shifty off the dribble. The advantages he initiates are usually to set up someone else and show off his passing ability, but he can and will finish through contact better than you'd expect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->