Upward Stars College Showcase Notebook

<!-- 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>The first ever Upward Stars College Showcase was held in Columbia, South Carolina, on Tuesday Night. It featured the 17U teams from [program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate'], [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia'], [program_tooltip program_id='2412982' first='Upward' last='Stars Pee Dee'], and [program_tooltip program_id='2830096' first='Upward' last='Stars Gold'], all competing against each other in front of Non-D1 Coaches. Prep Hoops SC was also in attendance, checking out these prospects. Here is a glimpse into my notebook from the 2025 Upward Stars College Showcase: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Top Dog</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1972148' first='Justus' last='Bell'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2830096' first='Upward' last='Stars Gold']) - The highest-ranked prospect at the Upward Stars College Showcase was [player_tooltip player_id='1972148' first='Justus' last='Bell']. Bell holds an offer from Newberry College, which had a coach there to watch him on Tuesday. Stars Gold were shortedhanded, particularly in the post, so Justus had to play the 5 on defense. He protected the rim pretty well, but did give up some offensive rebounds and had two transition turnovers. However, it was all good on the offensive end, including spot-up made threes, a stepback three, and a couple of strong right-handed finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A 2027 Star Shines</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2149125' first='Brayden' last='Mack'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia']) - One of my biggest takeaways from Tuesday will be the play of 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2149125' first='Brayden' last='Mack']. He was terrific in the two halves I watched, getting lots of PG usage while also capitalizing on open looks from behind the arc. Brayden was able to have success pushing the pace after forced turnovers and defensive rebounds, showcasing his solid handle in attack mode. He favors a floater in the lane, but also had a nice finish with his off-hand. Mack was also extremely efficient as a spot-up shooter, knocking down all four of his first-half threes in Game Two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Under Sized With High Motors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2292900' first='Xander' last='Pertile'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia']) - Xander was the best rebounder at the Upward Stars College Showcase. He worked extremely hard on both ends of the floor and was a factor even if he didn't control the ball through strong box outs and tips to keep possessions alive. Pertile is also well-trained with what to do with the ball after he gets it, as he looks to the perimeter for shooters after offensive rebounds and throws good outlet passes after defensive rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2826461' first='Kevin' last='Brown'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2412982' first='Upward' last='Stars Pee Dee']) - Brown may only be listed at 6'2", but he plays much bigger than his size with his athleticism and work ethic. In Game One, Kevin stood out with his vision on drives, a left-handed and-1, a spot-up three at the top of the key, and an offensive putback. He was slightly more productive in Game Two, displaying his ability to finish around and above shot-blockers, hitting jump shots in the mid-range and behind-the arc, and flashing his defensive prowess by moving his feet well and contesting shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1738179' first='Jyssiah' last='Foster'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate']) - At 5'8", Jyssiah was the smallest Guard at the event, but that didn't stop him from playing hard on both ends of the floor. Foster frequently penetrated the opposing defense with his handle and quickness. He did show that he can finish and pass after getting paint touches, but more consistent decision-making is required for Jyssiah to be at his best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2307830' first='Charles' last='White Jr']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='2830096' first='Upward' last='Stars Gold']) - White came out with great energy in Gold's matchup with Columbia. On the opening defensive possession, he deflected a pass, blocked a shot, and hauled in a defensive rebound on the second chance. He made several good plays on the defensive end with his length across the two games, but was also a pest with putbacks on the offensive glass. Charles mainly operated at the free-throw line and in the dunker spot, creating space for drives or opening up a zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shot-Makers + Play-Makers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2561034' first='Dwayne' last='Patterson'] Jr ([program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia']) - Dwayne was a bit of a positive surprise to me at the Upward Stars College Showcase. He provided great energy off the Columbia bench, excelling with the ball in his hands in transition and in the half-court. Patterson Jr was good at speed, making a few nice passes in man-advantage situations to open the floor. When looking for his own bucket, Dwayne knocked down three threes, a pair of floaters, and finished well through contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2746116' first='Nigel' last='Miller'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2412982' first='Upward' last='Stars Pee Dee']) - Miller is a Guard who can balance shot-making and play-making when given the keys to the offense. He plays the game with good first-step quickness and long-distance pace. Nigel reads the floor very well with the ball, always having his head up to find a teammate or pull the trigger on a shot. He is a capable scorer at all three levels, particularly off the dribble in the mid-range and behind-the-arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2227535' first='Austin' last='Nesbit']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='2412982' first='Upward' last='Stars Pee Dee']) - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2227535' first='Austin' last='Nesbit']</strong> is back in the Palmetto State with Georgetown High School and [program_tooltip program_id='2412982' first='Upward' last='Stars Pee Dee']. He shined in his first day back, particularly in Game Two when his jump shot heated up. Nesbit torched the opponents in the first half from all over the floor, getting set up for open looks in the pick-and-pop and on the wings, while also creating for himself off the dribble at his spots in the mid-range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2361714' first='Jonathan' last='Perry'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate']) - Jonathan is the first of two [program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate'] Guards that caught my eye. He is one of the best at getting to his favorite left hand in the State and can do so under heavy ball pressure. Perry is also a high-flyer at the rim and displayed that with some impressive finishes with his athleticism. He also made good reads in the pick-and-roll, knocked down a couple of threes, and was very active in fighting for and creating loose balls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1807305' first='David' last='Dixon'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate']) - Dixon was one of the overall biggest standouts to me in Columbia. I knew coming in to watch for his shooting - which did not disappoint with five made threes in two halves - but it was the rest of his game that leaves me excited for his long-term future. David stayed active with shot-ready hands and active cuts, made unselfish passes in transition and on the perimeter, and had a couple of nice finishes when driving closeouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2078979' first='D'Marcus' last='Thomas'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2830096' first='Upward' last='Stars Gold']) - D'Marcus had a strong pair of performances at the Upward Stars College Showcase. In Game One, his fingerprints were all over the Gold offense, starting and finishing some good actions with made threes, floaters, and strong right-handed finishes. He did much of the same in Game Two, but played more off the ball. In the two halves I watched, Thomas displayed his perimeter shooting with four made threes, his ability to finish around bodies with acrobatic scores, and his activity off the ball with cuts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->