2026s to Know from the Big Shots Southeast Jam

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the calendar turns to July, AAU Basketball is back and prospects across the country return to their respective teams for the next month. My first stop of the month was the Big Shots Southeast Jam in Rock Hill, South Carolina. These are the five 2026s I think College Coaches need to know from the Big Shots Southeast Jam: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2896360"],"_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-686acfe668e5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First up on the list is [player_tooltip player_id='2896360' first='Aaron' last='Adams']. He is a strong Big who is a very good defender and can finish around the rim on offense. Aaron put up 5 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 blocks in a win over EA Prep Stars. He was particularly dominant in the second half, protecting the rim with 5 of his 6 blocks. He does a great job staying vertical in the air and around the ground, has active hands, reads shot attempts well, and even controls his own blocks with rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2500145"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2896368,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-686acfe668ee1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pait was one of two North Carolina 2026s that stood out to me from [program_tooltip program_id='2246675' first='Charleston' last='Raptors'] 17U. Jackson is very much the vocal leader of this group, as he communicates well with his teammates on and off the court. He also displayed a nice feel for passing and scoring, going for 8 points and 4 assists in a Game One win. Pait scored on a mid-range pull-up, a left-wing three, and a transition layup, and he made some key passes later in the game as defenses adjusted to his scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2280469"],"_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-686acfe668f31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2280469' first='John' last='Slusher'] is an intriguing name to know from North Carolina's 2026 Class. He runs with Triple Threat Academy and is a polished shooter and ball-handler, capable of punishing mismatches with his modern-day play style. I would've liked to see more of the ball in Slusher's hands, as he displayed his playmaking abilities with a driving assist and a driving right-hand layup. John also knocked down a left-wing three in a pick-and-pop action. He finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in a loss to the Raptors.</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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2896878' first='Ryan' last='Chen']","_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":"6'3u0022","_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":"Bull City Prep","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"EA Prep Stars","_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-686acfe668fd8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chen was one of the top shooters at the Big Shots Southeast Jam. He happened to be bright spot for his team in a Game Two loss, knocking down six threes. Ryan was pretty efficient, only taking 10 threes, but his volume did rise late as his team was trying to get back in the game. He provides lots of space for his teammates to work, always staying on the wings and in the corners with his hands ready. Chen can also handle the ball in spots and has a nice floater when he drives.</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":"Jayden Gunby","_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":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cuthberson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Warriors Elite","_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-686acfe669075"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out the list is another big man, <strong>Jayden Gunby</strong>. He had a nice showing for Warriors Elite in Game One, racking up 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Although he doesn't have the softest of hands, Gunby does have a very strong frame and good bounce. Jayden displayed his ability to set wide screens, play through contact, clean up misses, and protect the rim. He's still pretty under-the-radar in North Carolina, but I think he could see a late surge in his recruitment with more strong play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->