The Tune-Up: 17U Knockdown Shooters Who Lit It Up

Whether spotting up off the catch, pulling up in rhythm, or relocating with purpose, these prospects showed why shooting remains one of the most recruitable skills at every level of basketball. Their mechanics were clean, their confidence never wavered, and they made defenses pay for every late closeout. From specialists who thrive in catch-and-shoot windows to guards who can knock it down off the bounce, this group consistently put pressure on the scoreboard and opened the floor for their teammates. Here's a look at the 2026 knockdown shooters who stood out all weekend at The Tune-Up.    RJ Livingston played at his own pace at all times, dictating tempo and creating shots within the flow of the game. An elite bucket-getter with killer scoring instincts, Livingston's pull-up jumper was easy, very effortless, calm, smooth, and completely under control. His delayed between-the-legs dribbles kept defenders off balance with their unpredictability. Livingston also displayed a go-to punch-dribble stop-and-pop from mid-range. He was equally effective pulling up going right or left and mastered the art of playing off two feet, using it like a cheat code to control balance, absorb contact, and get clean looks.     Three-point sniper with deep, college-ready range. He let it fly from well beyond the arc in half-court sets, spot-ups, kick-outs, and trail situations. A true floor-stretcher whose shot mechanics and consistency made him a reliable weapon any time he touched the ball on the perimeter.     [player_tooltip player_id='2891431' first='Aaden' last='Mendez'] is a knockdown shooter with a confident aura and a textbook stance, before his first shot even left his hand, it looked like sure thing by his mechanics. His squared-up positioning in catch-and-shoot situations made him tough to close out on, and he countered aggressive contests with convincing subtle head fakes into one-dribble mid-range pull-ups. Off the ball, Mendez showed great spatial awareness and timing, always finding the right windows to space the floor. On multiple transition possession, he beat everyone to the left corner and knocked down the advance pass in rhythm.     Sharpshooter, especially from the left wing where he consistently snapped the net with no hesitation or rhythm dribbles. He stayed shot-ready at all times and punished defenders who failed to close out in time. Anytime McGee was locked in and focused the shot was sure to fall. Defensively, Will McGee brought physicality and awareness, staying attached to his man while also keeping his head on a swivel for help responsibilities. He battled through screens, bumped cutters off their line, and kept his hands active in passing lanes.     Nathan Neal was an unconscious shooter who knocked down jumpers in the most unconventional situations. Whether it was picking up a rolling ball and rising into a jumper in one smooth motion or drilling a heavily contested three that bounced twice before falling, Neal's shooter's touch made him deadly from deep. His confidence and willingness to let it fly under pressure were unmatched.

Whether spotting up off the catch, pulling up in rhythm, or relocating with purpose, these prospects showed why shooting remains one of the most recruitable skills at every level of basketball. Their mechanics were clean, their confidence never wavered, and they made defenses pay for every late closeout. From specialists who thrive in catch-and-shoot windows to guards who can knock it down off the bounce, this group consistently put pressure on the scoreboard and opened the floor for their teammates. Here's a look at the 2026 knockdown shooters who stood out all weekend at The Tune-Up.