The Tune-Up: 2026 Prospects College Coaches Need to See

As the July live period looms, the spotlight is beginning to shift, but for a select group of 17U prospects at Prep Hoops' The Tune-Up in Texas, the focus is just beginning. These are the sleepers: the under-the-radar hoopers who may not have high-major buzz yet, but showed clear signs they're ready to impact college programs at the next level. Whether it was through defensive toughness, high-IQ playmaking, or efficient scoring in rhythm, these prospects proved they can compete with top talent and do it without needing the ball in their hands every possession. Some are late bloomers, others are just in the right system at the right time. Either way, college coaches should be tuned in. Here's a breakdown of the 17U sleepers who boosted their stock and deserve a serious look heading into July.    True stretch four with Division 1 size at 6'8” and legitimate shooting touch. Knocked down three straight catch-and-shoot threes to open the game, including from the corner in transition and off offensive rebounds. He also showcased a solid back-to-the-basket game in the mid-post. Smooth, repeatable mechanics and soft touch made him a threat from anywhere on the floor. Cooper's floor spacing and shot versatility give him instant plug-and-play appeal.     3-and-D lefty floor general who served as the heart and pulse of his team. A fearless competitor, he didn't call for help when pressured full court, instead relying on his sharp lateral quickness and chest positioning to cut off angles and contain the ball. Offensively, he got consistent paint touches by jumpstopping into the lane and either creating a shot for himself, delivering a well-timed assist, or drawing fouls with smart, contact-initiating drives. Stewart brought poise, toughness, and a relentless edge to both ends.     [player_tooltip player_id='1560909' first='Davion' last='Vasquez'] didn't back down from a challenge, he thrived in it. Velasquez competed with a dog mentality, elevating his intensity and performance against stronger competition. Defensively, he maintained a balanced stance with choppy, engaged footwork and explosive lateral quickness, sliding with purpose to cut off driving angles. He navigated ball screens with control, getting skinny to stay attached while showing the ability to rotate and adapt within different coverages. His hands were both active and disciplined, generating turnovers with timely digs, sharp stabs at loose handles, and baiting soft passes into the lanes. Offensively, he excelled with his vision and passing instincts, advancing the ball quickly and zipping passes through tight windows. He tossed lasers to corner shooters, hit cutters in stride, and consistently found open teammates with live-dribble skip passes.     [player_tooltip player_id='2877090' first='John' last='Gilbert'] is a lefty combo guard with a quick trigger release and a fluid shooting motion with a picture perfect jumpshot, well balanced and polished mechanics. Off the ball Gilbert rotated well within the offense, slipping into openings in the deep and short corner. He flashed to high post openings when the ball movement got stagnant, he also used his smarts to overload zones eventually opening open cross court actions. [player_tooltip player_id='2877090' first='John' last='Gilbert'] is a true hidden gem who proved to be a great player within a team structure on both sides of the ball, he never deviated from the offensive scheme, he fed the hot hand, and either created or spotted mismatches the moment they arise. Gilbert was consistently looking to make the right play, he competed with great energy, a high basketball IQ, and phenomenal feel for the game. I also loved his competitiveness as he went after loose balls scraping for everything with toughness. Defensively he iced the ball left consistently to shrink the floor, often cutting it in half while forcing long, lobbed, or uncomfortable passes showing his discipline and also his awareness to spot his opponent's weakness.     Versatile hybrid forward with wing skills and a strong motor. Played both ends of the floor effectively, pushing the ball in transition and spacing the floor as a spot-up shooter. Was constantly active off-ball, relocating, lifting, and cutting backdoor to create opportunities. In transition, he capitalized on open stop-and-pop threes when the defense collapsed into the paint. Offers valuable two-way versatility and scoring instincts in rhythm.     One of the most explosive leapers of the weekend. Cooper showed a knack for using his length and bounce to snatch rebounds and finish over traffic. His second-jump timing and effort were elite, allowing him to consistently outwork opponents on the boards. Threw down one of the loudest dunks of the showcase, an emphatic two-hand slam in transition that energized the entire gym. Run-and-jump athleticism, plus high-motor rebounding, make him a high-upside forward to monitor closely.

As the July live period looms, the spotlight is beginning to shift, but for a select group of 17U prospects at Prep Hoops' The Tune-Up in Texas, the focus is just beginning. These are the sleepers: the under-the-radar hoopers who may not have high-major buzz yet, but showed clear signs they're ready to impact college programs at the next level. Whether it was through defensive toughness, high-IQ playmaking, or efficient scoring in rhythm, these prospects proved they can compete with top talent and do it without needing the ball in their hands every possession. Some are late bloomers, others are just in the right system at the right time. Either way, college coaches should be tuned in. Here's a breakdown of the 17U sleepers who boosted their stock and deserve a serious look heading into July.