Metro Hoops Preseason Invitational: 2026 wing/forward standouts

The Metro Hoops Preseason Invitational took place on Saturday at Gill St. Bernard's, bringing in more than a dozen premier programs from across North Jersey to compete in one of the final tuneups before the season gets underway. After taking in several games of action over the course of the afternoon, we'll start coverage with a handful of senior (2026) wings and forwards who caught the eye.    We've seen interesting flashes from Highlander since he got to the U.S. about a year ago, but he picked the right time to put it all together in the most complete performance we've seen him have. In a matchup with a powerhouse Blair Academy program, the Cameroonian mismatch forward more than held his own while showing his wide-ranging offensive skillset. He was effective using his craft and foot speed to create off the dribble while also providing a post threat against smaller matchups or working the baseline for easy finishes. He showed off his shooting stroke as the game went on with multiple smooth makes over tough contests. He'll have to refine his shot selection a bit at the next level but will benefit from a lighter workload, and no matter what we were impressed with Highlander's competitive spirit to keep the score respectable as the game went on.     Seton Hall Prep emerged with two strong wins, and while the Pirates are led primarily by a high-octane multi-pronged backcourt, Ante showed against Christian Brothers that he'll be a key piece to the puzzle up front. A lean, fleet-footed hybrid post, Ante was consistently in the right place at the right time to convert on easy opportunities as a swift finisher off dumpoffs and quick seals. He provides a post threat if switched onto a guard and was able to create multiple extra possessions with his energy on the offensive glass. Ante could boost his recruiting stock if he shows he can space the floor to the perimeter, but nonetheless looks to be a priority option for small-college programs looking for experience and production in the frontcourt.     Hillsman has been lost in the shuffle at times this fall amid a guard-heavy TPS lineup, still getting his feet fully back under him after missing extensive time with injury earlier in the calendar year. He looked as close to his best as we've seen on Saturday in a close win over St. Peter's Prep, showing why he's been regarded as perhaps the top two-way wing in the state. The rangy southpaw was flying around on D, using his length and activity to smother opposing shots at the rim and make plays in passing lanes. Hillsman was effective getting downhill toward the rim in transition and also knocked down a 3 in halfcourt play. Overall the Rochester native provided a nice reminder as to why high-majors have been on his trail for years.     The Marauders' backcourt duo of D1 commits draw much of the acclaim, but Ferdinand has quietly become an important piece up front, as he showed with a well-rounded outing in a tight loss to The Patrick School. A skilled southpaw forward, Ferdinand showed his inside-out versatility throughout the game. He operated effectively out of trail and pick-and-pop situations as a threat to knock down the 3 or flow smoothly into dribble handoffs. He operates well off the bounce for his size and also used his size and strength to carve out space inside for soft-touch finishes. While a bit limited athletically, Ferdinand should draw attention from scholarship-level programs this winter with his feel and versatility on the offensive end.     A native of Texas spending a post-grad year at Blair, Elkins plays a condensed role as part of a high-powered rotation full of D1 commits and high-major prospects, but showed on Saturday why he's sorting through a handful of offers of his own. The budding two-way big came off the bench with an aggressive mindset, displaying impressive confidence and versatility as a shooter out to the perimeter along with the ability to attack with control off the bounce. He showed consistent activity on the defensive end with the mobility to hold his own out on the perimeter next to another rim protector. With his best basketball still ahead of him, Elkins is a priority target for multiple high-academic D1 programs and could be worth a look up to the mid-major level as a developmental bet in the frontcourt.     Another somewhat unheralded piece of the Marauders' lineup, Gomez flourished in his role off the bench in a narrow loss to Patrick School. The well-built hybrid forward brings a smooth plug-and-play skillset as a confident and dynamic floor-spacer off the catch, knocking down multiple quick-release corner 3s on Saturday to help swing momentum. He offers a blend of physicality, quickness, and motor that make him an effective and versatile piece on the other end as well. Young for his grade and having previously split his focus with football, Gomez could be a sneaky add for a scholarship-level program that values his shooting and athletic tools.

The Metro Hoops Preseason Invitational took place on Saturday at Gill St. Bernard's, bringing in more than a dozen premier programs from across North Jersey to compete in one of the final tuneups before the season gets underway. After taking in several games of action over the course of the afternoon, we'll start coverage with a handful of senior (2026) wings and forwards who caught the eye.