CBG x ASSIST Juco Prep Showdown: Eye-Catching 2026s

The CBG x ASSIST Juco Prep Showdown has become a routine stop for me every October due to the wealth of talent ranging from several states and the reach of high school, prep, and JuCo programs in attendance. The Saturday slate delivered as expected and for this article, we'll look at the unsigned 2026 prospects who caught our eye.    McCruter is playing for Spire Academy as a post-grad, which is a move that I think will greatly benefit his game and overall recruitment. Standing at 6-foot-9 with intriguing length, McCruter didn't waste much time on Saturday leaving his imprint on the game. Playing alongside [player_tooltip player_id='2441592' first='Collin' last='Ross'] (VCU) in the frontcourt, the two act as very impactful shot disruptors around the rim defensively. McCruter showcased active hands in the passing lanes to turn deflections into run-out opportunities and when he was in the open floor, showed off his improved pop by getting eye-level with the rim on dunks. Throughout the weekend he also showed some touch on his catch-and-shoot corner three. McCruter fits the mold as a late-blooming hybrid forward whose best days are ahead of him.     Playing with Combine Academy, Connor proved why he's one of the more electric guards you'll find in the 2026 class. His ability to get to the rim in the flash and punch throwdown dunks with authority are all key ingredients for this team to be successful as they play off the momentum those sort of highlight reel moments give off. He's at his best in the open floor where his craft, quickness, and dynamism with the ball all take centerstage. He's quick in ball screen actions where he can split the coverage or use his wiggle to gain an advantage in 1-on-1s with intentions of finding a way to the bucket. The jumper with Connor is still a work in progress and could be the ultimate swing skill for just how high of a level he will ultimately reach and thrive at.     Collins is doing a post-grad prep season at Athletes in Action and is another prospect on this list who I think will benefit from another season of development before heading to the college ranks. Standing a little over 6-foot-3, Collins is a deadeye shooter from three and brings the confidence and quiet swagger to bury a few in a row and change the course of games. He'll surprise you now and again with a tough step back or stopping on a dime in transition while maintaining good balance and concentration as he drills shots over the outreached arms of opponents closing out. Collins also showed off his basketball IQ and willingness to communicate on the defensive end to make sure everyone remained on the same page.     Riak is now at Combine Academy providing his versatility at both ends as a 6-foot-7 wing. What stood out about him was not only his length and athleticism around the bucket, but his overall motor and effort as a connector for this team. He's a fluid mover and good at relocating around the perimeter to put himself in position for kick-outs where he can catch-and-rip, covering significant space in minimum dribbles to free himself up for looks. He guarded multiple positions on the floor effectively and made multiple efforts on the glass as well as a weak side rotator.     Falline is a prospect I'm very familiar with after covering him throughout his four years at John Carroll. Now suiting up for Athletes in Action in a post-grad prep year, the 6-foot-3 guard has looked to add a big more his offensive skillset. He continues to become more confident operating on the ball as the primary ball-handler and did an nice job of breaking down his defender, maneuvering by rotating defenders in a variety of ways, and finishing with his off hand. Falline brings a quiet toughness to his game and you can see it when he initiates contacts on drives, rips 50/50s away in his favor, or crashing the glass among the bigs.

The CBG x ASSIST Juco Prep Showdown has become a routine stop for me every October due to the wealth of talent ranging from several states and the reach of high school, prep, and JuCo programs in attendance. The Saturday slate delivered as expected and for this article, we'll look at the unsigned 2026 prospects who caught our eye.