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Emerging Performers to Know Across the NC Triad

Emerging Performers to Know Across the NC Triad
Elan Muniz
Elan Muniz January 14, 2026 @ 07:48 PM
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In this article:

Brady Vallance
Brady Vallance 5'10" | PG | 2026
NC
Deuce Best
Deuce Best 5'9" | CG | 2027
NC
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Triad continues to produce quality guard and wing play, with several players stepping into larger roles and making consistent impacts for their teams. This group features quick guards, versatile defenders, and efficient scorers who influence games through pace, decision-making, and physicality. Below is a closer look at a handful of players who have stood out with their production and on-court presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1808849' first='Deuce' last='Best']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Starmount","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6968475c82c71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Best is a quick, active guard who impacts the game with his speed and energy. He uses his first step to consistently get downhill and finish plays at the rim, putting pressure on defenders off the bounce. On the defensive end, he shows good instincts and anticipation, jumping passing lanes and creating steals through awareness rather than gambling. His activity level allows him to influence the game on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jax Whitaker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Surry Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6968475c82d1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whitaker serves as a steady offensive presence and driving force for his team. He plays with patience, allowing the game to come to him and consistently making the right reads rather than forcing offense. His shooting ability anchors his scoring impact, while his comfort handling the ball allows him to attack off the dribble and finish effectively at the rim when opportunities open up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Toot Clay","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Oak Grove","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6968475c82da5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clay has made his impact felt through athleticism and versatility. He plays with energy on both ends and has been disruptive defensively, showing the ability to guard multiple positions and block shots. Offensively, he finishes plays through contact and brings a physical presence around the basket, punctuated by explosive finishes that energize his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2884645"],"_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-6968475c82df7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vallance operates as a true floor general, showing comfort controlling pace and getting to his preferred spots on the floor. He scores efficiently at all three levels and displays a strong ability to create offense off the bounce. His vision and decision-making allow him to generate quality looks for teammates while remaining a scoring threat himself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mason Dudley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Forbush","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6968475c82e77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dudley has emerged as one of the more productive breakout performers this season. He plays with physicality when attacking the basket and finishes well through contact. His jumper features a high release point that makes it difficult to contest, allowing him to score effectively both off the catch and off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

The Triad continues to produce quality guard and wing play, with several players stepping into larger roles and making consistent impacts for their teams. This group features quick guards, versatile defenders, and efficient scorers who influence games through pace, decision-making, and physicality. Below is a closer look at a handful of players who have stood out with their production and on-court presence.

<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">Emerging Performers to Know Across the NC Triad</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(247,101,23, 0.95) 0%,rgba(247,101,23, 1) 100%)">
            <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/emerging-performers-to-know-across-the-nc-triad/" class="link-wrap">
                                    <span class="player-img"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/06/FeaturedImage-e1611353349903.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="Emerging Performers to Know Across the NC Triad"></span>
                
                <span class="player-details">
                    <span class="first-name">Emerging</span>
                    <span class="last-name">Performers to Know Across the NC Triad</span>
                    <span class="measurables">
                                            </span>
                                    </span>
                <span class="player-rank">
                                                        </span>
                                    <span class="state-abbr"></span>
                            </a>

                    </span>
    </span>

Deuce Best Deuce Best Deuce Best 5'9" | CG Starmount | 2027 NC

HEIGHT 6'1"
POS CG
CLASS 2027

Deuce Best Deuce Best Deuce Best 5'9" | CG Starmount | 2027 NC

School: Starmount
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Jax Whitaker

Jax Whitaker

HEIGHT 6'0"
POS CG
CLASS 2026

Jax Whitaker

School: Surry Central
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Toot Clay

Toot Clay

HEIGHT 6'6"
POS CG
CLASS 2026

Toot Clay

School: Oak Grove
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Brady Vallance

Brady Vallance

NC
PG
HEIGHT 5'10"
POS PG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Brady
Vallance PG
Class
2026
Height
5'10"
HS
Oak Grove
|
NC
Emerging Performers to Know Across the NC Triad
Vallance operates as a true floor general, showing comfort controlling pace and getting to his preferred spots on...
Written by Elan Muniz
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Brady Vallance

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Oak Grove
Club: NC Spartans
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Highlights

Mason Dudley

Mason Dudley

HEIGHT 6'3"
POS CG
CLASS 2026

Mason Dudley

School: Forbush
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
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