#PHMusicCityMadness: X-Factors You May Have Missed

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The #PHMusicCityMadness was loaded with talent in the 2026 division, and here are a few players who could be considered X-factors…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2850818,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Alexander-Wagnon-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Alexander-Wagnon-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2850818" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2841943' first='Alexander' last='Wagnon']</strong> (6'4/F/2026/Bigger Than Basketball) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: xanderwagnon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Alex showed his ability to play inside and out, provide scoring production around the rim, and the ability to step out and knock down the trey ball. He really impacts the game when he is slashing his way to the cup and putting pressure on the rim. He has length and fluidity, which helps him score in a variety of ways on offense and defend multiple positions on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2850819,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Brian-Kuratko-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Brian-Kuratko-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2850819" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Brian Kuratko</strong> (6'1/SF/2026/Brook Town Force) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: briankuratko</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @briankuratko</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brian is a multi-level scorer who was able to be a secondary scoring option for his squad. When it comes to his scoring prowess, having him as a secondary scoring option was huge for his team. In the game I saw him compete, it got out of hand early and was lopsided for most of it. However, Brian still competed at a high level and showed what he could bring to both ends of the floor, and he impacted the stat sheet in numerous ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2850821,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Sam-Groth-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Sam-Groth-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2850821" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sam Groth</strong> (6'6/PF/2026/Stars 17u South) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sam is an interior presence with a versatile scoring arsenal. He covers interior ground with ease, finishes well at the rim, and creates matchup nightmares at both forward spots. He showed his ability to step out and knock down the three. He showed a strong scoring prowess with his post moves, but he also showed that he has a finesse game that he can go to at times, which keeps defenders off balance when trying to defend him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2850822,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Tanner-Richmond.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Tanner-Richmond.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2850822" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tanner James Richmond</strong> (5'11/CG/2026/OC Bombers) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Tannerrichmond10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tanner had a really good second day shooting the rock from the perimeter. He would have qualified for a sniper school article, as he made at least three threes in a game I was watching. He shot it well from deep and did a good job putting the ball on the floor and attacking the cup. He showed his scoring instincts and his versatility to thrive on and off the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2850824,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Isaac-Defew.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Isaac-Defew.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2850824" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Isaac Matthew Defew</strong> (6'5/F|C/2026/Nashville Stars) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Isaac_defew07</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Isaac was one of the top players in his division throughout the weekend. He is an extremely aggressive slasher who lives in the paint. He constantly drew doubles and made the right plays out of them. He is really effective at scoring over the top of defenders which is one of his many ways of providing point production. His game draws fouls, which earns him trips to the line. He has a good combination of size, speed, and skill, which helps him impact both ends of the floor. His ability to score the rock was impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2850825,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Silas-Kendall-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Silas-Kendall-1.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2850825" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2847657' first='Silas' last='Kendall']</strong> (6'4/Wing/2026/Pro Skills Basketball) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: silas.k11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Silas is a wing with positional size, length, and the skill set to be able to provide solid minutes and production. He showed a craftiness with the rock and the ability to get to the cup off the bounce. He is a three-level scorer with shot-creation ability. He is really good at creating his own offense and making buckets when needed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2850826,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Ojare-Ameer-Murrell-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Ojare-Ameer-Murrell-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2850826" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ojare Ameer Murrell</strong> (6'5/PF/2026/Stars North 2026) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Ojare12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Ojarem12&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The strength of Ojare's game was seen in his ability to impact the glass and provide interior scoring. He competes on both ends of the floor and provides solid play that contributes to winning. He has to continue to get stronger and add to his offensive repertoire. He showed toughness, rebounding prowess, and willingness as a defender, all of which make him a player who will always have a role on the floor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->