Senior Prospects Bursting onto the Scene

Every grassroots season brings a wave of new names who quickly prove they belong in the conversation, and this summer was no different. A handful of prospects elevated their games in a way that couldn't be ignored, flashing skill, confidence, and the type of upside that turns heads.    [player_tooltip player_id='2877945' first='Elijah' last='Sanders'] emerged as a high-flying wing with explosive vertical pop and the confidence to take off from distance. He lives above the rim, finishing with violent dunks in every situation, whether it's posterizing rim protectors, hammering lob actions, or rising through traffic. His bounce translates in transition and halfcourt sets, where he's always a lob and putback threat. While still raw in skill set and physical build, his athletic foundation is elite, and he has significant room for growth as his handle, shot, and frame continue to develop. A long-term project with star-level upside if his tools are sharpened and polished.     [player_tooltip player_id='2807348' first='Kanyon' last='Taylor'] is a true defensive anchor with two-way effectiveness that makes him one an impactful big. Defensively, Taylor's an elite rim protector with timing, length, and anticipation, able to erase shots at the basket without over-fouling. On the offensive end, his effectiveness shines through his floor-spacing ability as a stretch big and touch around the rim. His balance of defensive anchoring and offensive versatility makes him a two-way presence who tilts the game on both ends.     [player_tooltip player_id='2233735' first='Justin' last='Fern']'s a classic catch-and-shoot weapon with a quick release and the ability to stretch defenses several feet beyond the arc. The type of shooter who can swing momentum in a matter of possessions if he gets hot. Fern also proves to be high-IQ off-ball scorer who thrives within the natural rhythm of the offense. He understands spacing, timing, and angles, consistently putting himself in position to capitalize without needing the ball in his hands. Whether it's cutting backdoor, flashing into open pockets, or relocating along the perimeter, he reads defenses well and punishes lapses with quick scores. His ability to finish off cuts, catch on the move, or knock down spot-up jumpers makes him a seamless fit in team-oriented systems.     [player_tooltip player_id='2545879' first='Anthony' last='Sadler']'s highly explosive floor general who leverages his athleticism to collapse defenses and create opportunities for others. He consistently gets deep paint touches, forcing rotations and opening up clean looks for teammates. As a playmaker, he's a remarkable passer with both vision and flair, delivering dimes on time and on target. The ball comes off his fingers with a natural smoothness, whether it's a live-dribble drop-off, a no-look kick, or a touch pass in transition. His ability to pressure the rim while still orchestrating offense makes him a dynamic catalyst and a tough guard to contain.     High motor guard who thrives on energy and effort, consistently making all the little plays that swing momentum. Cooley competes at a relentless pace, excelling in transition where his knack for sprinting the floor makes him a dual threat, either as a downhill dribble-drive finisher or as a trailing catch-and-shoot problem. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='2881625' first='Sebastian' last='Cooley'] is disruptive and opportunistic, sitting in gaps, anticipating passes, and turning deflections into instant offense. His end-to-end speed is his greatest weapon, and when paired with a team-first mentality, he delivers the type of winning plays that rarely show up in the box score but always impact the outcome.     Glue-guy point guard who thrives on doing whatever the team needs to win. He sets the tone with his leadership, steady decision-making, and willingness to make the extra pass. Offensively, he keeps the ball moving, organizes sets, and creates advantages without needing to dominate the ball. From beyond the arc, Hodges punished defenses as a spot-up floor spacer. A perimeter threat that opponents always have to account for in both half-court execution and fast-break scenarios.

Every grassroots season brings a wave of new names who quickly prove they belong in the conversation, and this summer was no different. A handful of prospects elevated their games in a way that couldn't be ignored, flashing skill, confidence, and the type of upside that turns heads.