Stock-Riser Candidates: '26 W/F Prospects

The DMV continues to churn out premium talent year after year, causing prospects to go a bit more under the radar as opposed to different hotbeds due to the volume of high-level guys. We wanted to start off by highlighting the rising senior class as they head into their last year of AAU basketball. We're excited to highlight some of the prospects our staff thinks could make a big leap this summer. Let's dive in!    -Some people might say that it's difficult to list a T25 prospect in the state as a stockriser but we don't think Siaca-Bey has even scratched the surface of his abilities. He's always served as a rim-running, shot-blocking, play-finishing big that plays with a steady motor. But recently he's been adding a lot more finesse and skill to his game. His finishing package around the basket has rapidly improved and the touch has gotten way better on floaters in the paint and hook shots with either hand around the basket. He can knock down the tre-ball if you leave him open but I like that he doesn't settle for that and attacks closeouts on his perimeter catches to get easy 2s in the paint.     -Jones' activity makes him invaluable to each team that he plays on. His motor on the glass at both ends of the floor often swing the tide of games and his improved FT shooting has upped his value on the offensive end of the floor. A mobile wing that can serve as a roll threat, can score off of post-ups, and can finish even difficult alley oop tosses-- really looking forward to watching him this summer.     -One of the most slept-on players in the state, Lee was crucial to a good Westfield team this season. A mobile 3/4 tweener that uses his athleticism to physically dominate his matchup, he can guard up or down a position and is willing to do the dirty work in the trenches if need be. Lee can finish plays above the rim, attacks closeouts well from the perimeter, does well on switches in ball screen situations, and deters slashers from attacking the rim. Stoked to see him play this weekend in Richmond.     -One of my favorite finds from this past season, we should see a boost in his skill development as he has quit football to focus on basketball. Prosper defends at an incredibly high level, using his length and quickness to guard 1-5 in his league. His off ball defensive instincts lead to him intercepting passes that don't have enough zip on them. Offensively he's raw but is a capable offensive rebounder that can slash his way to the rim and find the open man.     -One of the more underrated guards in the area, Maria checks a lot of boxes at the offensive end of the floor as a scorer that can shoot, pass and dribble. A suprisingly-bouncy athlete with decent back foot burst, he often lulls his defender to sleep before exploding past them to the rim. Maria has great feel as a passer in the half court and is patient in ball screens, scanning the defense or rejecting the ball screen to hit a perimeter jumper.     -Really loved the strides that I saw Kodi take during the season, filling out his game from a shooter to an all-around offensive threat that should begin landing offers from the college interest that he already has after a productive season with Ireton. Kodi's athleticism went up a level this season and it showed up most in his breakaway speed in transition and his leaping ability to finish alley oops or 2-handed dunks in transition. His feel as a mover off the ball continues to improve, collecting putback dunks from the weakside and moving to space well to create open looks from beyond the arc. One of my favorite players to watch in the area.

The DMV continues to churn out premium talent year after year, causing prospects to go a bit more under the radar as opposed to different hotbeds due to the volume of high-level guys. We wanted to start off by highlighting the rising senior class as they head into their last year of AAU basketball. We're excited to highlight some of the prospects our staff thinks could make a big leap this summer. Let's dive in!