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Prospects Turning Heads in December

Prospects Turning Heads in December
Victor Scott
Victor Scott December 16, 2025 @ 11:13 PM
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In this article:

Jalen Neal
Jalen Neal 6'3" | SG/SF | 2026
AR
Mahliek Ward
Mahliek Ward 6'1" | PG/CG | 2026
AR
Herman Gill
Herman Gill 6'0" | PG | 2026
AR
Marcus Murry
Marcus Murry 5'11" | SG | 2027
AR
Antwan McCray Jr.
Antwan McCray Jr. 6'1" | PG | 2026
AR
Jaxson Keeling
Jaxson Keeling 6'0" | PG | 2026
AR
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which prospects have made the gym buzz recently? From guards showing poise and vision to prospects controlling the keys, these players turned heads and proved they're names to remember. Keep us updated on ALL prospects over on&nbsp;“X“&nbsp;and&nbsp;“Instagram,”&nbsp;just tag @PrepHoops_AR &amp; @VortexSportsArkansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2883702' first='Jalen' last='Neal'] - 26 pts, 17 rebs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2883309' first='Mahliek' last='Ward'] - 34 pts</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2794988' first='Herman' last='Gill'] - 27 pts, 5 rebs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2406510' first='Marcus' last='Murry'] - 24 pts, 3 rebs, 1 stl, 1 blk</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2300102' first='Antwan' last='McCray Jr.'] - Avg 18 in last 4 games</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2021907' first='Jaxson' last='Keeling'] - Avg 18 pts, 3 asts, 3 rebs last 3 games</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2883702"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69423be378cf3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Neal put together a monster double‑double, dominating the glass and scoring with confidence. He's a consistent guard with defensive tools who plays with toughness and hustle, always impacting the game even beyond the stat sheet. Outbreaks like this highlight his development as a scorer, showing flashes of offensive bursts that complement his steady defensive presence. Neal's combination of effort, versatility, and emerging scoring ability makes him a prospect to track closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2883309"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69423be378da2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ward exploded offensively with 34 points, continuing to showcase his ability to sway a game. He's been a lights‑out shooter all season, consistently stretching defenses and knocking down shots from deep. Beyond his scoring, Ward is growing as a passer and defender, rounding out his game and proving he can impact more than just the scoreboard. Performances like this highlight his evolution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2794988"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69423be378e32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gill delivered another strong scoring performance, finishing with 27 points while also contributing on the boards. He's a volume shooter who thrives in rhythm, but what stands out is his growth in learning how to impact the game in other ways beyond scoring, by rebounding, defending, and staying engaged off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2406510"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69423be378ebe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murry played a well-rounded game, filling the stat sheet with scoring and defensive contributions. He's a solid guard who can operate both on and off the ball, giving his team flexibility in the backcourt. What stands out is that his game is starting to peak, as he combines scoring bursts with defensive understanding and improved consistency. Murry's upward trajectory relies on his sustained ability to score the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2300102"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69423be378f58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCray has been a steady producer, averaging 18 points across his last four outings. He's making key plays and shots with consistency and has clearly found his stride as a reliable scoring option. His ability to step up in crucial moments while maintaining efficiency makes him a dependable prospect, and his recent stretch of play reflects growing confidence and maturity on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021907"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69423be378fe5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keeling continues to show balance in his production, averaging 18 points while also contributing as a playmaker and rebounder. He's a smooth, calculated shooter and passer who displays vision and handle, pairing it with great shooting mechanics. His ability to blend scoring efficiency with playmaking instincts highlights his versatility, and his recent stretch of consistent play reflects his readiness to play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

Which prospects have made the gym buzz recently? From guards showing poise and vision to prospects controlling the keys, these players turned heads and proved they're names to remember. Keep us updated on ALL prospects over on “X“ and “Instagram,” just tag @PrepHoops_AR & @VortexSportsArkansas.

Jalen Neal

Jalen Neal

AR
SG/SF
HEIGHT 6'3"
POS SG/SF
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jalen
Neal SG/SF
Class
2026
Height
6'3"
HS
Marion
|
AR
Prospects Turning Heads in December
Neal put together a monster double‑double, dominating the glass and scoring with confidence. He’s a consistent guard with...
Written by Victor Scott
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Jalen Neal

Twitter
State: Arkansas
School: Marion
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Mahliek Ward

Mahliek Ward

HEIGHT 6'1"
POS PG/CG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Mahliek
Ward PG/CG
Class
2026
Height
6'1"
HS
Texarkana Arkansas
|
AR
Prospects Turning Heads in December
Ward exploded offensively with 34 points, continuing to showcase his ability to sway a game. He’s been a...
Written by Victor Scott
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Mahliek Ward

Instagram Twitter
State: Arkansas
School: Texarkana Arkansas
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Herman Gill

Herman Gill

AR
PG
HEIGHT 6'0"
POS PG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Herman
Gill PG
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
HS
El Dorado
|
AR
Prospects Turning Heads in December
Gill delivered another strong scoring performance, finishing with 27 points while also contributing on the boards. He’s a...
Written by Victor Scott
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Herman Gill

State: Arkansas
School: El Dorado
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Marcus Murry

Marcus Murry

AR
SG
HEIGHT 5'11"
POS SG
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Marcus
Murry SG
Class
2027
Height
5'11"
HS
White Hall
|
AR
Prospects Turning Heads in December
Murry played a well-rounded game, filling the stat sheet with scoring and defensive contributions. He’s a solid guard...
Written by Victor Scott
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Marcus Murry

Instagram Twitter
State: Arkansas
School: White Hall
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Antwan McCray Jr.

Antwan McCray Jr.

AR
PG
HEIGHT 6'1"
POS PG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Antwan
McCray Jr. PG
Class
2026
Height
6'1"
HS
Little Rock Mills
|
AR
Prospects Turning Heads in December
McCray has been a steady producer, averaging 18 points across his last four outings. He’s making key plays...
Written by Victor Scott
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Antwan McCray Jr.

State: Arkansas
School: Little Rock Mills
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Jaxson Keeling

Jaxson Keeling

AR
PG
HEIGHT 6'0"
POS PG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jaxson
Keeling PG
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
HS
Mountainburg
|
AR
Prospects Turning Heads in December
Keeling continues to show balance in his production, averaging 18 points while also contributing as a playmaker and...
Written by Victor Scott
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Jaxson Keeling

State: Arkansas
School: Mountainburg
Club: Arkansas Hoosiers
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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