The Circuit’s Rivalry Series: 2026 Backcourt Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Circuit Rivalry Series, at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas, brought together some of the nation's top high school basketball talent for a day of intense competition and standout performances. This event featured marquee matchups, including [program_tooltip program_id='2076309' first='Southern' last='Assault'] 3SSB, Drive Nation EYBL, and [program_tooltip program_id='2390026' first='YGC' last='Pro16'], showcasing high level future college basketball talent. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560901"],"_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-67fe3fb7c70e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Spear impacted the game as a multidimensional shot maker who cooked defenders in isolation and thrived off the ball with elite spacing and shooting touch. Dakari showcased his catch-and-shoot prowess from multiple spots on the floor. Even with a hand in his face, he stayed locked in and focused on the rim. That ability to hit tough, contested shots at a high clip will translate quickly and make him a weapon at the next level. Efficient, consistent, and deadly from all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1779015"],"_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-67fe3fb7c7078"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Put a stamp on the game with back-to-back monstrous dunks that shut the gym down and sent a clear statement. First, Caden caught a perfectly placed lob well above the rim and flushed it with two hands off two feet like he jumped off a springboard. On the very next possession, he attacked down the lane in transition, elevated off one foot, and punched it over a defender trying to stand in the way, resulting in a nasty and-1 that deflated the other team and had the crowd on their feet. Caden's bounce, body control, and intensity were elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560903"],"_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-67fe3fb7c7129"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trent Perry has one of the highest motors in the class. Perry plays with unmatched energy and pride on the defensive end. His potential as a versatile lockdown defender is sky high. With elite lateral quickness, long strides, and disruptive length, he blanketed ball handlers and erased passing lanes. Nobody wanted to deal with his full-court pressure. He made offensive players uncomfortable from baseline to baseline, giving max effort on every possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1569945"],"_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-67fe3fb7c716b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1569945' first='Austin' last='Goosby'] flourished in the mid-range, using his length and elevation to create space and get clean looks even when it seemed like nothing was there. He showed confidence pulling up in tight windows, shooting over defenders, and rising up off the dribble with a smooth and fluid touch. His ability to live in that in-between space is a separator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cy Merrett ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Link Academy ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Nike ProSkills EYBL","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67fe3fb7c71aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cy Merrett used his hands and aggressiveness effectively all game long. He was disruptive on the perimeter, deflecting high passes and challenging jumpers without fouling, forcing misses with his timing and anticipation. His energy and instincts on defense made him a reliable on-ball presence and a problem for any ball handler trying to get comfortable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->