Metro Tournament Takeaways: Prospects Who Made Noise

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Metro Tournament once again proved to be a proving ground for emerging talent, offering a clear look at prospects who don't just play hard but play with purpose. From versatile shot-makers to undersized grinders and poised floor generals, several players separated themselves by consistently impacting winning. Below is a deeper dive into some of the standout prospects who left their mark on the event…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3280953,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Riley-Bryant-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Riley-Bryant-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3280953" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194522' first='Riley' last='Bryant']</strong> (6'3/G/'27/Thompson HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: rileyupnext&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Riley delivered a strong, well-rounded showing, flashing the type of offensive versatility that gives defenses real problems. He is a difficult matchup, as he can score efficiently both inside and out and is comfortable attacking from anywhere on the floor. His isolation scoring stands out as he creates space with fluid movement, changes of pace, and athleticism that allows him to get to his spots. In the open floor, he is dangerous. He handles the ball confidently in transition, can finish through contact, and has the ability to generate offense for himself without needing a play drawn up. His blend of size, skill, and athletic fluidity makes him a multi-level scoring threat and a guard defenders cannot relax against.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3280954,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Reginald-Leshoure-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Reginald-Leshoure-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3280954" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Reginald Leshoure</strong> (6'1/SF/'27/Hueytown)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: txnkzzzzzz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Reginald spent a lot of time in the paint and providing interior production. He is undersized for a post player, but on his squad, he has to spend time at the position. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in his relentless competitive nature on both ends of the floor as well as on the glass. He plays with a high motor and brings energy and effort to the floor. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and an edge that he obviously uses to help him physically battle in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3280959,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Tory-Smith-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Tory-Smith-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3280959" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2619681' first='Tory' last='Smith']</strong> (6'0/PG/'29/Briarwood Christian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: ToryHoops</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @ToryHoops</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tory continues to trend upward as a reliable and versatile backcourt piece for Briarwood. Though still young, he already shows a budding basketball IQ and an advanced understanding of how to impact the game in multiple roles. He is comfortable playing both on and off the ball, serving as a secondary ball-handler while also being one of the team's top scoring options. He is skilled, composed, and plays within himself. He doesn't force action, reads the floor well, and consistently makes smart decisions. As he continues to mature physically and mentally, his ability to toggle between facilitator and scorer will become even more valuable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3280960,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Charleston-Owens-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Charleston-Owens-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3280960" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194645' first='Charleston' last='Owens']</strong> (5'9/PG/'28/Madison Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Charleston.owens</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Charleston.owen1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Charleston was one of the top lead guards at the Metro Tourney, and he plays with poise and a good feel for the PG position. He is small, but with his PG skill set and headiness, he proved to be a reliable lead guard who can orchestrate the offense. He is good in isolations and pick-and-rolls as the ball-handler and has a feel for drawing in defenders to open up opportunities for teammates. He can make accurate kickout passes or creative interior feeds under the rim. He is young, but he knows how to settle the offense as well as energize it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3280962,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Miller-Russel-Day-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Miller-Russel-Day-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3280962" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Miller Russel Day</strong> (6'4/SG/'27/Orange Beach)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: millerday2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @day_m</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Miller is the embodiment of relentless effort and winning intangibles. He is an exceptional rebounder for his position, consistently outworks opponents, and keeps possessions alive with hustle plays that don't show up in traditional stats. His motor never stops, and his leadership presence is felt every time he is on the floor. Offensively, he brings more than just energy as he has a reliable perimeter jumper that defenses must respect. Whether crashing the glass, sprinting the floor, or knocking down timely shots, he finds ways to impact the game and elevate his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3280964,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Adrian-Peterson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Adrian-Peterson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3280964" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194889' first='Adrian' last='Peterson']</strong> (5'10/CG/'27/Vestavia)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: adrianpeterson2_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @adrianp2110</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Adrian is a perfect fit within Vestavia's system, offering versatility, toughness, and skill in the backcourt. He provides scoring from the perimeter, playmaking off the bounce, and dependable secondary ball-handling at the lead guard spot. He shoots it with confidence, can put the ball on the deck to create advantages, and possesses strong court vision and awareness, always knowing where teammates are positioned. On the defensive end, he brings toughness and competitiveness, making him a reliable two-way guard who can be trusted in key moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->