Big Shots Richmond: 15U Notebook

Over the weekend, Big Shots and Paul Biancardi set up shop at Henrico & Events Center featuring over 190 teams from the East Coast. Over the course of this week, I'll break down scouting notes on prospects from the 15-17 age group levels in a variety of states.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/04/big-shots-richmond-jam-md-va-2027-guard-standouts/">For the 2027 MD/VA guards, click here.</a>   For the 2027 MD/VA bigs/wings, click here.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/04/big-shots-richmond-jam-16u-md-va-standout-guards/">For the 16U MD/VA standout guards, click here.</a>   Below is my notebook from a talented 15U field of teams.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2863450' first='Tre' last='Mann Elite'] en route to the 15U title</h2>   The Tre Mann 15s group showed up on a mission and waltzed their way to the 15u SLAM Boys bracket title while winning their four games by an average of 26.5 points per game. They handled a tough Max Levels Elite group in the championship game by 15 points. Through the course of the two days, a few prospects really caught my attention.   2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3533137' first='Zayden' last='Garcia'] was the most productive of the group and what makes him one of the more intriguing prospects who played on the 15U level in Richmond, he still has plenty of untapped potential ahead. The 6-foot-5 southpaw wing has a smooth, confident scoring skillset that he showed off from all three levels. Whether it was sizing up his man off the bounce before pulling the trigger from deep, using his size to take advantage in the mid-post or running the floor to finish above the rim, Garcia was doing it all from a scoring perspective. He finished averaging 16.7 points per contest.   2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2935727' first='James' last='Turic Chol'] was the prospect that caught your eye from warmups as he stands 7-foot-1. A lot of times when you see players of his size at this age, the movements aren't pretty. It could be a lack of coordination, bad footwork or a number of other reasons why they can't dominate a game like their overwhelming size allows. None of that applies to Chol. He was running the floor fluidly and consistently. He tracked the ball well on lobs to finish high and powerfully. On a few occasions, he showed off some touch away from the basket and even converted a three with nice form. His size and length offer an obvious rim presence defensively where he swatted away his share of attempts in the paint and he controlled the glass whenever rebounds were in his area.   The next prospect I wanted to spotlight from this group was 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2767801' first='Armani' last='Morris']. A well-built 6'2"-'6'3" guard, Morris brought outstanding energy and intensity to both ends of the floor. His athleticism and lateral quickness took centerstage as he pressured opposing ball handlers beyond half court and his active hands paid dividends in creating deflections for runouts where Morris was quick to lead the pack before exploding off the ground for one-handed slams. As if his presence as a downhill nightmare wasn't enough, Morris did venture out to the perimeter and knock down a few triples in the four games. He also showed playmaking prowess with his paint touches, particularly with Chol where he could loft lobs after forcing the opposing big to step up and stop penetration.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DC Assault's roster boasts plenty of intriguing propsects</h2>   Assault finished the weekend 2-1 and got eliminated in the semifinal game against Max Levels Elite in sudden death overtime fashion 55-53. They responded well to the loss on Sunday though, winning their game by more than 40 points before hitting the road for home.   2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3597955' first='Jayden' last='Velez'] has all the makings to be a wing to track closely over the next few years. Not only does he have ideal size for a wing of his age at 6-foot-5, but also already poses a refined skillset that is built off the threat of his outside shot. It forces defenses to run him off the line after the catch and Velez showed he knows what to do putting the ball on the deck as well. He evaded rotating defenders with euros, quick cross overs or long step throughs where he used his lanky arms to finish scoop layups despite difficult angles. Velez also was on the finishing end of a lob after a crazy sequence of passes that put the stamp on a win in their resounding win on Sunday. He averaged 17.3 points per game.   2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3597647' first='Jaylen' last='Mason'] is the one on this team who pops immediately after the ball is tipped. The 6-foot-3 guard out of Fayetteville Academy had a strong outing in P32 play during S1 and this showing is a clear sign of what's to follow this summer. He's a dynamic playmaker with explosive athleticism that he uses to finish violently around the rim. While he's capable of making shots from the mid-range and three, Mason's bread is buttered getting downhill or in the open floor where his playground style creativity comes to light both as a scorer and passer. He's always hunting opportunities to finish above the rim and if that means absorbing contact in the chest with airborne, he welcomes it. He averaged 12 points per game this weekend while manning much of the offensive execution as the on-ball creator.   A few others on this team that caught my attention starting with 2029 AJ Naylor. The absolute perfect, productive junkyard dog type of forward that a team like this needs. With the talent they have on the perimeter, Naylor's relentless motor, ability to win seemingly every 50/50 ball all while efficiently capitalizing on his looks around the cup shined brightly this weekend. The center rotation comprised of Morgan Nwosu and Trevor Okeoma provide size at 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-8 respectively. Both did their jobs as paint presences on both ends and defensively, erased a plethora of shots around the rim and then secured rebounds in bulk.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Max Levels Elite's talented trio leads to title game</h2>   MLE Philly P32 finished 3-1 while taking down some stiff competition en route to the 15U title game where they came up short against the buzzsaw that is [program_tooltip program_id='2863450' first='Tre' last='Mann Elite']. Along the way, three prospects stood out to me with their consistency.   2029 Andrew Naegle was the most impressive on this team, in my opinion, given his size at 6-foot-4, creativity off the bounce and his ability to score in a multitude of ways. He finished athletically in transition with a clear launching pad, but what stood out more to me was his scoop layups with his off-hand after spin moves or crossovers to gain angles. He got to the paint in an efficient manner and oftentimes would look to attack off the catch or getting downhill, but Naegle can also make his defender pay with space from outside. The rising sophomore, who averaged 13 points per game this weekend, be an intriguing name to watch with Hill School next season.   Another playmaker with good size on the MLE roster is 2029 BJ Williams. The 6-foot-3 guard used his high release point on his jumper to comfortably shoot over defenders throughout the four games and with decent precision despite a hand in his face. Off the bounce, he created advantages and exposed driving lanes while keeping his head up to find cutting teammates along the baseline or shooters spotting up on the wings.   2029 Drew Baskerville provides the cold-blooded shooting from deep to help create space for the rest of this MLE team. He was responsible for the game-winning shot in sudden death OT against DC Assault to advance to the title game, but that was just one of his many big conversions throughout his time in Richmond. The Cardinal O'Hara product brings plenty of intensity to make up for his size at 5'8"-5'9" to go with an advanced skillset and IQ that showed with his ability to operate with great pace while processing the entire floor.

Over the weekend, Big Shots and Paul Biancardi set up shop at Henrico & Events Center featuring over 190 teams from the East Coast. Over the course of this week, I'll break down scouting notes on prospects from the 15-17 age group levels in a variety of states.