Independent May Live Period Standouts: The Back Court

The May live period has come and gone with a ton of college coaches of all levels traveling all around the country to check out the talent on display and there were plenty of coaches that made their way to this region to check out some talent at the many independent events that went down over that weekend. Without further delay, let's take a focus on some of the backcourt standouts that did their thing at those independent events from around the state.    Washington is a guy starting to get real next level attention and it's easy to see why as he's an impossible contain downhill guard with a ton of translatable skills to how the game is played at the college level. Washington possesses elite end to end speed that was on full display at the Phenom G3 Showcase. Washington can run a team at a high level and uses the gravity he creates as a driver to create open shots for his teammates on kick outs and/or dump offs at the rim. Washington is dangerous in transition with legit above the rim ability that allows him to be a threat to dunk it in traffic in transition. He is a capable outside shooter and a pest like defender that will continue to garner next level opportunities over the course of the next 9-12 months.     Hancock is one of the best three point shooters in the state of North Carolina and he has been lighting up scoreboards with [program_tooltip program_id='2399240' first='Dub' last='Salem'] 17u all spring/summer. In a weekend where he helped his team go 4-0, Hancock averaged 18.5 Points per game and shot 54% from three as he made 21 of his 39 attempts. Hancock has the kind of shooting ability to swing games for his team that shoots a significant volume from beyond the arc. He can make plays off the bounce for himself or teammates as well but Hancock is one of NC's most lethal and fearless marksmen from beyond the arc. He should garner real next level interest as he's a specialist too good to ignore that will assuredly find himself amongst the ranked players in this 2027 class at next update.     Daniels has been a key piece on this All Carolina 17u team and he did his thing for this group at the Phenom G3 Live event in Raleigh this past weekend. Daniels does a great job touching the paint with consistency and making good decisions with the basketball. He had a super strong season at Walkertown, helping this team to a state championship appearance and has built that momentum into the evaluation periods where his two way impact was on full display. Daniels will 100% be amongst the ranked in the next 2027 rankings update.     Smith is a strong and versatile combo guard that had a big weekend at Big Shots Carolina Live with [program_tooltip program_id='2078489' first='Fayetteville' last='Elite'] during the live period. Smith brings a great element of physicality and aggressiveness to the backcourt en route to big scoring numbers and an MVP on the weekend. Smith had a great High School season at EE Smith where he averaged 14.8 Points, 4.1 Rebounds, 1.3 Assists, and 3.3 Steals per game while shooting 45% from the floor. Smith will absolutely find himself amongst the ranked in the next 2028 update and should continue to get next level attention as he improves his skillset and is able to showcase his game in these settings.     Jacques is another guy in this 2027 class that is a no brainer next level talent as he brings an incredible approach to the game on top of his other abilities. Jacques is a classic ball of energy guard that can really heat up from distance and is always making the right play on the floor. He uses that energy to lead whatever team he's suiting up for by example and that was no different at Phenom G3 Live. Jacques is the engine for this [program_tooltip program_id='2407474' first='Rising' last='Pros Training'] team and it's due to the unselfish nature, reliable shot making, and truly contagious energy he brings to the table every time we see him.     Hall is continuing to build his own reputation as a premier shooter in North Carolina's 2027 class after a really strong season at Myers Park and now parlaying that into a really successful start to the travel ball season with [program_tooltip program_id='2076456' first='PSB' last='Elite']. Hall was in attendance at Phenom Rock Hill Live and had multiple big performances over the course of the weekend. Hall can play on or off the ball and has really showcased more of his ability to make plays for others with the ball in his hands. Hall is showing he can be a lethal catch and shoot threat or be a guy that generates offense for this team off the bounce. Look for Hall to continue to assert himself as a next level prospect over the course of this spring/summer with this group!     Bryant has been a consistent producer with this [program_tooltip program_id='2227290' first='Warriors' last='Life Elite'] 2028 group and he was up to his usual business at the On The Radar Sweet 16 Live Period event down in Georgia. Bryant is a classic quick twitch guard that can really attack the basket with his change of pace ability. He applies that same energy to the defensive end where he applies frenetic pressure to opposing ball handlers. He's a three level scoring guard with real shiftiness to monitor in this 2028 class as he will 100% be amongst the ranked at the next update.     Oriol continues to be a guy in this 2029 class that is somewhat flying under the radar in some ways but is a guy that should be watched closely as his monster travel ball season with Apex Spurs 15u is well underway. Oriol shined for this group at Phenom G3 Live showcasing his advanced feel for the game and next level burst with the ball in his hands. Oriol can make outside shots but is nearly impossible to contain 1v1 off the bounce, allowing him to touch the paint and get to the rim at will. Oriol can finish with both hands in traffic and is starting to show some above the rim ability as well. Oriol plays the game at a high pace and is often breaking past defenders in transition for easy baskets. After a strong season at Willow Springs as a freshman and a monster Spring, look for Oriol to be in the 2029 rankings when they debut next week.     Coleman continues to shine with this [program_tooltip program_id='2078505' first='Mid' last='State Magic'] group that has been winning with consistency and that was no different at the Phenom G3 Live showcase in Raleigh. Coleman delivered his usual work, steady PG play, timely outside shot making, and the ability to apply pressure and force turnovers from the opposition. Coleman is strong for his size and able to play through contact to stay on his path to get wherever he's going. Coleman has made real strides in his game over the last year and that shows with how improved he's been from an efficiency standpoint throughout the spring. He loves the mid-range pull up as well, displaying great touch from that area on the floor. Look for Coleman to continue to showcase his game as a next level player with this group over the course of the next half of the travel ball season.

The May live period has come and gone with a ton of college coaches of all levels traveling all around the country to check out the talent on display and there were plenty of coaches that made their way to this region to check out some talent at the many independent events that went down over that weekend. Without further delay, let's take a focus on some of the backcourt standouts that did their thing at those independent events from around the state.