Hype check: 2026 Bigs who took over this summer

We're a couple of weeks out from the Expo on Sunday, September 13th. This is your chance to test yourself against 2026 & 2027 talent from across the state as we all head out under one roof. I will be on-site to evaluate how your game translates in a showcase setting and get an early read heading into the season. Rankings will be updated shortly after, using this as a key baseline.   Use code “JohnsonHoops25” at checkout for a discount. (<a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/1616/register/the-expo-colorado">Here</a>)      I'm not sure if any big had a summer blow-up like [player_tooltip player_id='2376454' first='Corey' last='Hill'] did. He was a name that we saw have big numbers over the high school season, but not many saw him play live due to being at such a small school. Well, this small school player has a big game. He's massive and was very impactful for [program_tooltip program_id='2836105' first='Pluto' last='Prospects'] this summer. He owns the paint, has incredible footwork as a nimble big with soft touch around the rim, but also can play with force as well and power through guys. Any opportunity that he gets to play in front of coaches and in a bigger stage against top talent he should take as he's a 6'9 skilled big that college coaches should be all over heading into his senior season. Come to the event and dominate.     Driggers put his name in as one of the most athletic players in the state this summer as he dunked, dunked, and dunked some more. He stepped up in big games and was one of the top players each time that he touched the floor. He has an excellent motor, competes defensively, and uses his athleticism for rebounding and altering shots around the rim. What I like about Driggers is his ability to stand out while not getting in the way. He's always trying to make a play, keeps plays alive with his effort, and I feel as if he put the state on notice this summer with his play. With a big season expected of him, taking these opportunities to prove that he's not just a product of dominating against small schools, he should head up to the event to get a few more college coaches some looks on how he fares against top talent across the state. He can benefit from another big showing!     Lukas had his moments this summer, but he really caught our attention in our last tournament when he impacted the game on both ends of the floor. Pears has a long, lean frame, and his long arms and length is a disruptor for opposing bigs looking to grab boards over him or finish around the paint. He blocks shots, runs the floor for easy finishes in transition, and also is starting to get comfortable as a scorer in the post. I feel that he will have a big season statistically, and a big showing heading into the season at our showcase could get a few coaches looking for a forward with good size a player to turn their attention to. We want to see him get out and prove that he belongs.     Rock Canyon is going to be one of the most entertaining teams this year and has a real chance at contending for a championship, and [player_tooltip player_id='2478614' first='Kai' last='Valentine'] can get them there. Valentine was an excellent rebounder who showed flashes in his junior season, but he seems to have made a jump this summer as he's been one of the best Forwards/Bigs that we got to see this summer. He took over in games as a rebounding machine that went right up for finishes, ran the break, and finished in transition, and facilitated the offense. He does not have to have plays ran for him to be effective. Defensively, he's stout and defends bigger players, can step out on guards, and competes on that end of the floor. Coaches have been checking in on him, and this is another opportunity to show them a bit heading into the seasons. Eyes should be on him, and will be if he heads out to our event.     Anderson had a late push in the summer to get on our radars, but is a player to know moving forward. Anderson is a 6'8 big man that demands attention and uses all of his size to get to where he wants on the floor. He was having to be double-teamed in the games that we saw him in as he is much bigger than opposing bigs up against him. He runs the floor well and keeps the ball high to rebound and score in traffic. I am excited to see the type of year that he has, but with all of the eyes that are on him right now he should take advantage as we feel he could come in and dominate as a big man to keep tabs on all year. This is a great opportunity to see him before the season begins.

We're a couple of weeks out from the Expo on Sunday, September 13th. This is your chance to test yourself against 2026 & 2027 talent from across the state as we all head out under one roof. I will be on-site to evaluate how your game translates in a showcase setting and get an early read heading into the season. Rankings will be updated shortly after, using this as a key baseline.