Film Room: Hidden Gems to Track in 2026

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at some hidden gems in the 2026 class in North Carolina for college programs to get on their radar with another high school season approaching!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>USE CODE</em><strong><em>&nbsp;anderson30</em></strong><em>&nbsp;for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION!<a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe/?coupon=anderson30">&nbsp;Subscribe</a></em>&nbsp;today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2464040"],"_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-6886682d4b29c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Houpt is a lead guard who can fill it up from deep; he was a consistent presence in the [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] backcourt in the HoopGroup Academic League where he went off for 30 points and six 3-pointers recently; he's a smooth operator who doesn't force the issue and makes tough/tight reads when on the hardwood; all he needs is a bit of space to show off his perimeter prowess</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TheHoopGroup/status/1946621523659300985","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TheHoopGroup/status/1946621523659300985 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2500754"],"_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-6886682d4b1b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walters is a 2026 prospect due to have a big senior year at Clayton High; he's a downhill wing who can also dial it up as a playmaker and perimeter threat with length and athleticism; as he continues to show he can handle ball pressure and make good things happen when given opportunities, look for DII/DIII programs in the region to hone in on him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/walterskhaleil/status/1940932508369183122?s=46u0026amp;t=qEXdE3QMoZ3BIGZhga0-ng","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/walterskhaleil/status/1940932508369183122?s=46u0026amp;t=qEXdE3QMoZ3BIGZhga0-ng </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2896695"],"_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-6886682d4b214"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An underrated athletic presence who can also knock down shots on the perimeter; he's shown he can get to the paint and finish with authority; often attacks the rim with reckless abandon but still has enough control to finish strong in traffic; could be a late-blooming DI prospect given his size/athleticism</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AropChom1/status/1939858999693971674","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AropChom1/status/1939858999693971674 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1409605"],"_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-6886682d4b31d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crafty finisher off the bounce and even more lethal off the catch-and-shoot; does well to use his strong frame to create space and make things happen off the bounce; underrated athlete who can finish in traffic as well; could be a late steal this season at the DI/DII level</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/seandunn0/status/1940135094079168888","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/seandunn0/status/1940135094079168888 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2173839"],"_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-6886682d4b2dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Upchurch remains an underrated prospect for DII/DIII programs to get to know given his prowess knocking down shots on the perimeter; he's a fearless sharpshooter on the perimeter and inside the arc who makes winning plays time after time on the hardwood; he suited up with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078513' first='NC' last='Wildcats'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2173075' first='Niko' last='Davis'] this past grassroots cycle, where he excelled</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Maxup151/status/1939773863727923659","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Maxup151/status/1939773863727923659 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->