Emerging Stars of AAU Season

Scott Strode May 17, 2025 @ 08:31 AM

Here's some of the emerging players of the early AAU season who might not have been on the radar. Players who've shown measurable growth and improvement in the first couple months of the travel season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2395988' first='Ayden' last='Spence'] - Spence did start to emerge late in the high school season, especially in February, however he's went on an absolute tear through competition during Big Shots 15U SLAM events. Spence is smart, athletic and efficient as a player. He doesn't need to shoot it a bunch to make a huge impact. A good enough ball handler who could handle the point most days yet who also could grown into a small forward type player as well. He is most certainly someone you'll hear much more about throughout the next several months.   [player_tooltip player_id='1851975' first='Max' last='Olejasz'] - OIejasz is one of several WV based players who made the move to Midwest Basketball AAU program and undoubtedly the one who's had the most success. Olejasz has nearly averaged a double double in every game while also adding great assist and block numbers. Max has been able to show his versatility as a wing while also posing a matchup problem by using his post play to overcome equal or smaller opponents. Olejasz has tirelessly worked on his bag and expanded his game beyond measure in the last 12 months and now the fruits of that are evident.   [player_tooltip player_id='2395976' first='Cam' last='Strode'] - Playing with the longtime Big Shots veteran group WV Reign Elite, Strode has been able to expand his game from a primary post to developing his face up and mid-post games with the wide open offensive structure of the Reign. Like above mentioned Spence, Cam made his waves in varsity time late last season but will have a huge impact going forward. Strode has already nabbed a couple game MVP awards during Big Shots events and in line for more with the addition of a new point guard to the Reign 15U.   [player_tooltip player_id='2734711' first='Jay' last='Brock'] - While [player_tooltip player_id='2734710' first='Keaton' last='Terry'] has demanded the attention with his play, teammate (Champmanville & AAU) [player_tooltip player_id='2734711' first='Jay' last='Brock'] has been nothing short of impressive and had several coaches and scouts asking his name last week in Rock Hill as his combination of size and skill for a guard in 15U was absolutely dazzling to many. Brock will be a huge part of his high school's programs success as he's the most versatile player and poses the biggest defensive problem for opponents.   [player_tooltip player_id='2683734' first='Braydon' last='Swanson']- This wing/forward has done nothing but raise his stock since March while running with ADAPT Mountain State Academy's AAU program on the HGSL circuit. Swanson has great size and athleticism and with some consistent work probably be one of the state's top shooting guard prospects. He looks the part and so far is starting to grow into it in terms of skill. His performances during AAU have confirmed he's on a plane to be at a level well above what's been expected. Undoubtedly, Swanson will be the key cog in Jefferson basketball next season.

Here's some of the emerging players of the early AAU season who might not have been on the radar. Players who've shown measurable growth and improvement in the first couple months of the travel season.