Five Versatile 2026 kids to look forward to

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five of the most versatile 2026 kids we are monitoring ahead of their senior seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Demarcus Mccarty","_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":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Papillion-La Vista","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2135066' first='Nebraska' last='Supreme']","_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-6823d11c770aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeMarcus McCarty is your prototypical 3-and-D wing that is in such high demand in todays game. He is also an explosive athlete that plays above the rim on both sides of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCarty is still pretty raw but ultimately productive on the offensive end. He gets to the rim by using his physicality and frame. He is a solid finisher at the rim and a constant poster threat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeMarcus shot is interesting as his form is a little different. His upper body is a little stiff however, he gets good arch on the ball and makes shots from deep consistently. He made multiple threes in several games last season and this summer and is someone defenses will have to close out to. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense his athleticism carries him allowing him to be a de-facto rim protector even as a wing. He's quick and strong which allows him to wall up defenders on the perimeter. Overall he is a versatile effective defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JacobPadilla_/status/1845115206151610480","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/JacobPadilla_/status/1845115206151610480 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /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":"Prospedi Mukendi","_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":"6'4u0022","_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":"Lincoln Southeast","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2135066' first='Nebraska' last='Supreme']","_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-6823d11c7715d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prospedi Mukendi is a all-around player who has showed signs of becoming a highly skilled player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense Mukendi can get to the rim where he uses his physicality to finish. He also has good touch around the rim and in the mid-range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prospedi has a functional handle that gets him anywhere on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a good shooter for his position and from mid-range and from three. He has an effective one dribble pull up in the mid-range. While from three he is someone you have to close out on off the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His frame allows him to play up the lineup. Playing big has allowed him to develop a post game where he uses his touch to score on fade aways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense he is versatile guarding both bigs and wings. He is strong enough to hold up down low but agile enough to slide on the outside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mukendi is strong rebounder who finished last season averaging just under 10 boards a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21678441/67de3945b503e35af6e5ae69' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68717767ddf48"} /--> <!-- /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":"Lance Smith","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Omaha Westview","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"GBOD","_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-6823d11c77277"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lance Smith is a smooth athletic lefty guard who excels on the offensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith has a quick first step that allows him to blow past defenders on his way to the rim. He is exceptional finisher with both hands around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lance has great touch and body control that allows him to finish above and around defenders. He has a host of floaters that his long wingspan allows him to get up over the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While a lot of Smith's offense comes from him racking up paint touches he has a more than serviceable shot. He can knock down shots from deep both off the dribble and catch. He has a host of step backs and pull ups that allow him to get his shot off even over contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's not just all first step though as he has a good handle that doesn't do to much to get to his spots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AveryQuad/status/1911861768533741731","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/AveryQuad/status/1911861768533741731 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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-6823d11c772c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></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":"Dontae Mcdowell","_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":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Omaha North","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"GBOD","_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-6823d11c7734c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dontae McDowell is a versatile big who can do a little bit of everything. He is sneakily really athletic and can surprise players at his position with his speed and vertical pop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDowell has good handles for his position that allow him to get to the rim. Once he gets to the rim he is at his best as he is a powerful finisher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Contact doesn't do much to prevent him from scoring around the rim especially once he gets ahead of steam. He has good touch overall as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He moves well and is able to scale both up and down the lineup and is capable of guarding multiple positions when he puts his mind to it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/McdowellDontaee/status/1921778637247844371","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/McdowellDontaee/status/1921778637247844371 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /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":"Kobi Kerr","_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":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lincoln North Star","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"GBOD","_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-6823cdc2ab9a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kobi Kerr is yet another versatile forward who has some real athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kerr shines on defense especially as a rim protector from the low man spot. He has a knack for timing drivers layup attempts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can guard both inside and out one on one and is a good rebounder helping end possessions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense he gets to the rim and is a solid finisher and a threat for put backs. He's shown some potential to shoot it especially off the catch. With an increase in role coming up this season Kerr is prime for a break out final year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19522341/67aa4c2c8d4145083ce31d2a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68717767de025"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->