7 Young Prospects Who Impressed at the CBG Tip-Off

The CBG Tip-Off took place Saturday at U-Turn in the Richmond area, featuring over 30 teams from the DMV and Virginia area. Here's a look at seven young prospects who stood out at the event.   [player_tooltip player_id='2884415' first='Devin' last='Ainsworth'] | 6'2” PG | New World 2028   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9247.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9247.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3316250" /></a></figure>   Coming off a big sophomore season at SSSAS, Ainsworth looked every bit like he was ready to put college coaches on notice this summer with how he played at the Tip-Off. The 6'2” lead guard controlled every aspect of the game as he pushed in transition to get to the rim or make plays for others, he was excellent in ball screens touching the paint and breaking down the defense, he scored it efficiently in a lot of different ways, and he set the tone defensively with his ball pressure.   [player_tooltip player_id='3336926' first='Jaeden' last='Palmer'] | 6'2” CG | DC Assault 2028   Palmer was one of the surprise breakouts for Highland's new look squad that made a run to the VISAA D-I semifinals, and on this Assault team where he's the primary ball handler and decision maker he's going to show everyone that he can go with the best of them. He shot the ball well from deep both off the catch and off the bounce, he played with good pace and showed the ability to change speeds, and he showed his ability to rebound and push in transition to make plays for others.   [player_tooltip player_id='2960264' first='RJ' last='Mickleberry'] | 6'3” WG | VA Havoc UA Rise 2028   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/IMG_4510-crop-954x627-1774061065.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/IMG_4510-crop-954x627-1774061065.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3563349" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Instagram @rjmickleberryjr</figcaption></figure>   Mickelberry is coming off a good season at Glen Allen, and he's set to have a huge summer as one of the go-to guys for a talented VA Havoc squad with his ability to make shots at a very high clip. He has a flamethrower from deep with effortless range and the ability to set his feet on the move, he is a good secondary ball handler with a good IQ as a playmaker, and he uses that IQ defensively to jump passing lanes and rotate in help too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2767487' first='King' last='Bacot'] | 6'2” PG | [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA'] 2029   Bacot is one of the most highly touted 2029 prospects in the country, and he showed why as he was in full control of both games from the moment the ball tipped to the buzzer. The 6'2” lefty has tremendous feel and control of the game as he made highlight worthy passes and set up his teammates, he showed off improved athleticism both with his first step and finishing at the rim, and he made shots both from deep and in the midrange off the bounce.   [player_tooltip player_id='3538906' first='Niles' last='Mason'] | 6'5” F | [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA'] 2029   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Mason-Niles.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Mason-Niles.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2967827" /></a></figure>   Mason was one of the best freshmen in Richmond this year at Steward School, and he showed he's going to be a big time threat for this talented Loaded 15U team this summer. The 6'5” hybrid forward showed a great motor attacking the glass on both ends of the floor, he showed he can handle in transition and get to the rim where he uses his size and strength to finish at the rim, and he showed the ability to make shots in the midrange and even from behind the arc too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2440984' first='Brayden' last='Ragland'] | 6'6” PF | DC Assault 2029   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Ragland-Brayden.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Ragland-Brayden.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2967826" /></a></figure>   Ragland was a starter for Highland as a freshman where he proved himself as one of the youngest players in the Elite Prep League, and his versatility and production was on full display at the Tip-Off. The 6'6” forward draws comparisons to Grant Williams as he's strong and physical enough to bang in the paint, he's a surprisingly explosive finisher which he showed with a couple of big time dunks, and he's able to knock it down from deep at a very high clip with effortless range for his age too.   Rajohn Metcalf | 6'5” F | Rockets NXT Pro 2029   Metcalf emerged at the Tip-Off as a new name to get familiar with in the Roanoke area, as the 6'5” hybrid forward has a ton of tools that are intriguing moving forward. He's a fluid and explosive athlete who can run the floor and is a good finisher at the rim, he can face up and take defenders off the bounce, he made shots from multiple levels, and he has huge upside defensively as well.

The CBG Tip-Off took place Saturday at U-Turn in the Richmond area, featuring over 30 teams from the DMV and Virginia area. Here's a look at seven young prospects who stood out at the event.