Unsigned Senior Report: Friends League

With changes in eligibility, transfer portal, and NIL rules, there are more high school prospects than ever entering their senior seasons still unsigned and without a destination at the next level. We'll be profiling unsigned seniors across the state over the rest of the reason, continuing with the Philadelphia Friends Schools League.    Smith has been a consistent factor since arriving at ANC as a repeat sophomore and will look to lead the way as a senior in pursuit of a Friends League three-peat. A skilled inside-out presence up front, Smith is more of a natural post but has done well to expand his game over the years while incorporating a dangerous jump shot and dribble-drive game. He also stood out this summer by being in the best shape of his life, having shed significant baby fat which paid dividends in his quickness and explosiveness. Injuries have been the main thing standing in the way of Smith firmly establishing himself on the recruiting trail, but if he can stay healthy while leading ANC this winter then he should become a hot name among D1 programs looking for skill in the frontcourt late in the recruiting cycle.     After making a name for himself as part of a crowded rotation at West Catholic, Waters opted for a repeat junior year at Friends Select and has seen an uptick in his development with the coinciding increase in on-court responsibility. Previously more of a change-of-pace option in the backcourt, Waters has made impressive strides toward being a true two-way lead guard. With a blend of explosiveness and physicality attacking downhill, he's tough to keep from his spots with nice dexterity as a finisher and an increasing ability to make the proper passing read from the middle of the lane. He's also an intimidating point-of-attack defender, using his strong chest and quick hands to mirror the ball and force turnovers before pushing the ball back the other way. Waters should be a priority at the D2 level with the chance to push himself toward D1 territory if he can show a more consistent perimeter stroke.     Arriving at ANC with Smith as a fellow repeat sophomore, Warren has been a key piece to a lot of winning over the past two seasons and will be counted on just the same if the Lions are to take home a third straight league title. Warren makes his presence felt most consistently on the defensive end, where he profiles as an active and aggressive playmaker in the frontcourt with a unique physical profile that allows him to switch onto any number of offensive matchups in space. He has an underrated skillset offensively as well, with the ability to run the floor for early offense, create his own shot against slower forwards off the bounce, and even space the floor in spurts as a shooter from the perimeter. His game isn't the sexiest but Warren's two-way contributions would make any number of D1 and D2 programs happy should they secure his services.     There won't be many more dynamic scorers in the league than Spruill, a steadily-emerging late-bloomer with clear scholarship-level ability in the backcourt. A wiry guard with a potent three-level scoring attack, he brings an intriguing blend of twitch and herky-jerkiness off the bounce with a natural creativity and resourcefulness from the midrange and in. He plays tough through contact despite a slimmer build with flashes of vertical pop as a finisher at the rim. On the other end, he uses his length and quickness to bother opposing ballhandlers at either guard spot. Spruill should attract plenty of suitors at the D2 level this winter, or could be an interesting JUCO name with the chance to emerge as a D1 prospect down the line given more time to refine his decisionmaking and work on his perimeter jumper.     A fixture in the ANC lineup since his freshman year, Carter is largely a known commodity with his ability to impact games on the margins using his physical and athletic gifts. He's a quintessential hybrid forward with standout run-and-jump athleticism and a physical frame that he puts to use on both ends of the floor. Carter shines within ANC's aggressive, defense-first attack, flying around to haul in rebounds or force turnovers and ignite transition offense the other way. His evolving abilities to space the floor as a perimeter shooter and create for himself off the bounce will be key developments to track both toward ANC's quest for a league three-peat and his ability to reel in an elusive D1 offer.     Friends Central may not quite have the firepower to contend for a title but figures to be a thorn in the side for any of the league's top tier, with Moore's spark from the backcourt being a chief reason why. There aren't many more dangerous threats in the area from beyond the arc, as Moore has the ability to heat up at a moment's notice with a lightning-quick release off the catch and polished footwork getting set on the move or off screens both in the halfcourt and transition. He provides some punch off the bounce attacking closeouts for skilled finishes while being a consistent pest on the defensive end with his quick feet and feisty approach. Moore could be a steal for an academic D3 program but should catch eyes at the scholarship level with his shot-making binges throughout the winter.

With changes in eligibility, transfer portal, and NIL rules, there are more high school prospects than ever entering their senior seasons still unsigned and without a destination at the next level. We'll be profiling unsigned seniors across the state over the rest of the reason, continuing with the Philadelphia Friends Schools League.