Grassroots Preview: Upward Stars Gold

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's keep the momentum going here at Prep Hoops. Who will be running with [program_tooltip program_id='2830096' first='Upward' last='Stars Gold'] this Grassroots season? Head Coach Yusuf English looks to be running the program. Take a look right here on your #1 source for the basketball coverage all year long. <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE today and by using the passcode "Swanny30" at checkout to save 30% off your first billing cycle. #RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2829885,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-28-20-2540PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-28-20-2540PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2829885" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078979' first='D'Marcus' last='Thomas']</strong> - Westwood HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas a point guard really leads by example from out top. D'Marcus is a good leader on the floor with some shifty ball-handling skills. He really likes to play the game into the gaps by touching the paint. Thomas averaged 9.9 ppg and 3 assists this past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2638740,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/eZy-Watermark_18-11-2024_11-11-08-9060PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/eZy-Watermark_18-11-2024_11-11-08-9060PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2638740" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824185' first='Jordan' last='Jenkins']</strong> - Conway HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenkins a football prospect wasn't in attendance this past weekend at On the Radar Carolina Mania. Jenkins a run-jump-athlete excels on the gridiron and hardwood for the Tigers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2829882,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-28-48-0770PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-28-48-0770PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2829882" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2447621' first='Jayden' last='Crews']</strong> - Westwood HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crews can explode along the baseline with stalking himself to the bucket. Jayden slashes to the cup or simply will look to pullup for a jumper from time to time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2829883,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-28-34-4680PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-28-34-4680PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2829883" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1972148' first='Justus' last='Bell']</strong> - Dutch Fork HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell likes to stalk the baseline when given opportunity or simply attack the rack. Justus has an athletic frame to finish around the bucket. He plays the game very well in transition and excels at getting to the bucket. Justus averaged 13.8 ppg and 6.6 rebounds this past season for the Silver Foxes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2829886,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-28-05-8860PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-28-05-8860PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2829886" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2537666' first='Jaden' last='Rivers']</strong> - Irmo HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rivers likes to play inside-out on the floor. Jaden can be a good pick and pop guy at times on the offensive end of the floor. He won't hesitate to be a mover-screener on the floor when needed. Rivers averaged 6.8 ppg this season for the Yellow Jackets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2829881,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-29-01-4960PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-29-01-4960PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2829881" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2394115' first='Johnston' last='Abrams']</strong> - Spartanburg HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abrams brings some toughness to the floor with his ability to draw charges. Johnston can knockdown shots out on the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2829887,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-27-52-0750PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_03-04-2025_12-27-52-0750PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2829887" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2307830' first='Charles' last='White Jr'] </strong>- Marion HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charles plays his best basketball out on the perimeter. He averaged 12.8 ppg and 5.2 rebounds this past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2800011,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_2440-crop-2682x1761-1741179490.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_2440-crop-2682x1761-1741179490.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2800011" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1487224' first='Zeke' last='Clyburn']</strong> - Andrew Jackson HS (Kershaw) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zeke averaged a double-double this past season for the Volunteers. Clyburn averaged 12.5 ppg and 10.2 rebounds this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Robinson</strong> - Christ School (NC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robinson a post player who likes to show his muscle down low. The Georgia native brings a physical presence to the floor for the Upward Stas Gold squad. Robinson has a great set of shoulders and shows the willingness to be a good mover-screener on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 30 - On the Radar Carolina Mania - Boiling Springs, SC </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 11-13 - Phenom Grassroots TOC - Rock Hill, SC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 18-19 - Phenom Queen City Showcase - Rock Hill, SC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 25-27 - Phenom Challenge - Spartanburg, SC </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 2-4 - Adidas - Rock Hill, SC ?? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 16-18 - Adidas 3SSB Gold - Council Bluffs, IA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 23-25 - Phenom Memorial Day Classic - Rock Hill, SC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 9-13 - Adidas 3SSB - Rock Hill, SC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 17-20 - TBD </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->