West Mania: Most Versatile 17u Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — The MADE Hoops and EHA Circuit collaboration put together another strong event in the Southern California area this weekend. The event featured a collection of show company teams from the EYBL, 3SSB and Puma circuits in addition to many of the top independent teams out west. Below we break down the most versatile prospects we saw among the 17u programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Andrew Hilman | 2026 | Oakland Soldiers</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hilman has earned his reputation as one of the best defenders in California because of his ability to guard multiple positions. He adds to that versatility on the offensive end with his slashing and finishing abilities in transition and half-court offense and flashed improved touch on his catch-and-shoot three point shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Austin Brown | 2026 | JL3 (TX)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is a 6-foot-7 wing who can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end. One of the top-ranked prospects in Texas, Brown can knock down the three-ball off the catch with time and space, attack closeouts for downhill finishes at the rim and has great vision and passing feel on those drives, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Caleb Gaskins | 2026 | Nightrydas (FL)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaskins is one of the country's premier forward prospects and it was easy to see why he earned that distinction. The physical 6-foot-7 senior-to-be is nearly impossible to stop with a full head of steam to the rim and easily sheds contact en route to paint finishes. Gaskins flashed some extended range off the catch from behind the arc and used his combination of size, strength and athleticism to impact the offensive and defensive boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Christian Collins | 2026 | Team Why Not</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The wiry 6-foot-8 wing has been one of the fastest-rising prospects nationally over the last 12 months and his ascent is bound to continue. Collins has established himself as a premier perimeter defender whose switchability allows him to guard all five positions on the floor. Collins' offensive game is at its best when he is driving and slashing to the rim and using his length and athletic gifts to score at the rim. Collins is also a capable three-point shooter off the catch with time and space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dean Rueckert | 2026 | Utah Prospects</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rueckert is one of the west's top wing/forward prospects because of his dribble, pass, shoot and drive skill-set. The wiry 2026 prospect out of Timpview (UT) high school is best when using a shot fake on perimeter catches to drive by his defender and get into the paint where he can score with finesse or make a smart decision to find an open teammate. Rueckert also possesses an explosive pop of vertical athleticism around the rim that allows him to finish over rim protectors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">EJ Vernon | 2026 | California Stars</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vernon has officially decided to reclassify to the 2026 class and will attended Southern California Academy's post-grad program. The 6-foot-7 forward was impressive Friday night in leading Cali Stars to an upset win over Houston Hoops as he dominated the glass on both ends of the floor and finished through contact around the basket. Vernon is a fluid athlete with ball skills and basketball IQ that can be built on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1500800' first='Elijah' last='Williams'] | 2026 | JL3 (TX)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has great bloodlines and, as the son of former NBA coach Monty Williams, also has the inside track on what it takes to make it at the highest levels of basketball. The 6-foot-7 forward has elite vertical and end-to-end athleticism which he uses as a rim-runner and finisher in transition. His combination of ball skills, footwork and dexterity allow him to face-up and attack the rim off the bounce or knock down a perimeter shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Gallagher Placide | 2026 | AAO Flight (AR)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There weren't many forwards this weekend who shot the ball as consistently as Placide did. The 6-foot-9 Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) product has fluid and fundamental shooting mechanics off the catch and knocks them down in trail and pick-and-pop situations. Placide is also a capable playmaker with the ball in his hands as his ball skills and vision allow him to put the ball on the floor and drive to the rim and score or find an open teammate with a timely pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Junior County | 2026 | Utah Prospects</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>County is a physical attacking wing who uses his strong 6-foot-4 frame to get downhill and into the lane where he gets into the body of defenders to finish through contact. The Wasatch Academy (UT) product is best as a slasher and scorer off the ball but has the basketball IQ and passing acumen to initiate offense and create for others. County's immediate-impact trait will be his defensive prowess as a multi-positional defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->