SMB 2026 Making Early Noise On The PUMA Circuit

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Alabama-based Self-Made-Ballers (SMB) joined the PUMA circuit this year and has become a team that has caught many people's eyes early and is looking like a team that will make noise this off-season on big stages, as seen in Texas this past weekend. Here is a look at the SMB line-up…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2840905,"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-Jay-Green-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Jay-Green-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2840905" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: SMB Program, SMB Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958553' first='Jay' last='Green']&nbsp;</strong>(6'0/PG/'26/Ramsay HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: bamajay8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @iam_jaygren8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jay was giving defenders fits with his creativity off the bounce and the constant pressure he put on the rim. He is compact, strong, and plays low to the floor, making it very difficult to be contained as the low man wins the possession most of the time. He is the floor general for the SMB squad, and as the heartbeat of the team, he is the primary decision-maker on the court. He undoubtedly plays like a coach on the floor as he is very cerebral, mentally tough, not easily rattled, and backs down from no one. He dictates the pace of the game, creates opportunities for teammates, and elevates the overall performance of his team with his leadership, PG IQ, and skill set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2840907,"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-Carson-McKenney-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Carson-McKenney-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2840907" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: SMB Program, SMB Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2454857' first='Carson' last='McKenney']&nbsp;</strong>(6'6/PF/'26/Thompson HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: carsonmckenney2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @carson_mckenney / @THS_Bbasketball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Carson was a force to deal with on the low block as he has consistently improved his interior post-game, and the nation is beginning to witness what has been seen in Alabama. He can hurt opposing teams in so many different ways. As mentioned, his post-game has improved. He is one of the best passing bigs in Alabama, which allows the offense to run through him, and he can stretch the floor with his ability to knock down the three. Carson has started out the grassroots season playing at a high level and could see his stock rise drastically this spring and summer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2840909,"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-Josh-Wilkerson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Josh-Wilkerson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2840909" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: SMB Program, SMB Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314111' first='Josh' last='Wilkerson']&nbsp;</strong>(6'3/Wing/'26/Buckhorn HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Jwilk.256 / smbprogram</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Jwilk256 / @SMB_PROGRAM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The maturation of Josh's game was seen in TX, as he is starting to show a solid overall floor game. His ability to score at all three levels and initiate the offense has grown, enabling him to facilitate and score at a high level. He has always had the ability to create off the bounce, but this area is also an area that he has grown in and makes him a complimentary piece to [player_tooltip player_id='1958553' first='Jay' last='Green'] in the SMB's backcourt. Look for Josh to continue to help his squad make noise on the PUMA circuit with his high-level scoring ability and defensive prowess.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2840910,"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-Ethan-Thomas-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Ethan-Thomas-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2840910" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: SMB Program, SMB Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2455011' first='Ethan' last='Thomas']</strong> (6'5/PF/'26/Ramsay HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Ethanth8mas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Ethanth8mas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ethan brings energy and effort to the SMB squad on both ends of the floor. His passion fuels his game, and it is seen in how he battles on the boards, defends the low block, and flashes his athleticism when scoring in transition and on put-backs. He is a relentless competitor who brings mental warfare, physical sacrifice, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win. In a world obsessed with scoring, he proves there are other ways to stand out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2840911,"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-Messiah-Millin-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Messiah-Millin-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2840911" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Messiah Millin</strong> (6'0/PG/'26/Hoover)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: messiahmillin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @messiahmillin3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Messiah is a hard-nosed competitor who makes his mark on the defensive end of the floor with his scrappy nature. He is a pesky defender and makes ball-handlers work extremely hard. He has really good instincts, moves his feet well, and is very active with his hands. Offensively, he is a reliable ball-handler and a trustworthy lead guard when it comes to orchestrating the offense and creating offense off the bounce. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Anderius Deshaun Olds</strong> (6'0/CG/'26/Pelham)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: smb.andy_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Anderius is a dynamic scorer who can also run the show. He has good shot-making ability, vision, and the capacity to make high-end reads off the bounce and as the ball-hander in pick-and-roll action. He is a very effective shooter from deep and is consistently growing in his ability to make reads and take care of the ball. He plays both ends of the floor as he is a tough on-ball defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314071' first='Royon' last='Spears']</strong> (6'3/CG/'26/Jasper)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: royonspears10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @royonspears10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Royon flashed moments throughout his Junior year at Jasper, but a switch has been flipped as he is playing with a lot more confidence with his SMB squad. He thrives in the open floor and does a good job getting downhill. He has really excelled early, as seen in Texas, on the defensive end of the court, as he moved well laterally and showed the ability to stay in front of speedy guards.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Wilson McDonald</strong> (6'3/SG/'26/Alcorn Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Wilson_mcdonald26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @WilsonMac26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Wilson is an off-guard with a killer instinct. He doesn't let up when he smells blood in the water, and when he gets it going offensively, he is tough to stop. He is extremely tough in isolation and does a good job making tough shots. He is one of the best scorers on this team, a very creative scorer, and can go and get a bucket at any moment in the possession.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ayden Thomas</strong> (6'8/C)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ayden is the man in the middle for SMB and does a good job anchoring the defense with his rim-protecting ability and ability to force tough shots. He may not fill up the stat sheet, but his play is felt throughout the game as he constantly makes winning and hustle plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->