New 2029 Names That Quietly Forced Their Way Onto the Radar

Some of the best evaluations this month came from the main courts. While everyone else was watching the established names, there were a handful of players doing the little things that kept making you stop and pay attention. Different roles, different styles, but they all brought something that translated. These were some of the newer names that kept popping up throughout the month.    Mensah is a player who kept catching my eye at Centennial State Cup as he flashed tools that make you want another look. He's an active rebounder with length and mobility; he covered ground well and showed flashes as a defensive playmaker, which really stood out in a setting where that doesn't always shine. He knocked down rhythm threes when given clean catches and looked comfortable stepping into shots. The upside really starts with his defensive potential. If he fully embraces being a relentless stopper and rebounder, there's real value there because the physical tools already stand out. Curious to see more.     Nichols understands exactly who he is offensively, and that immediately translates to easy scoring opportunities and the ball finding his hands. He's a true catch-and-shoot threat, and he consistently worked himself into open space and punished defenses that lost him at the Centennial State Cup. Nicholls is very comfortable firing without hesitation and stayed active defensively by picking up pressure and competing. That role fits him naturally, and his ability to space the floor while staying engaged on both ends made him one of the cleaner watches of the month.     Phelps is a player who impressed me with how naturally he played within structure while still creating offensive scoring opportunities. He came off screens ready to shoot, made timely cuts when they took away the shot, and consistently made the extra pass to keep possessions going. He gets to his spots. The Titans trusted him in actions designed to free him up, and he responded with big-time shots in key moments. In their closest game of the weekend, it was he who kept delivering in big moments, and he has a clutch gene. Phelps is a high-IQ and composed player whose feel and off-ball movement quietly drive winning and I want to see how that translates to the high school season.     Tuz continued to impress me to begin the month as he brought toughness and shot-making together in a way that stood out over the weekend in multiple games. He never hesitated on contested looks and stayed aggressive even after misses, eventually catching fire from deep and changing momentum in the second half of games. As soon as he gets comfortable, he becomes a really important piece as he's versatile. He's scrappy defensively and willing to mix it up physically in ways that are impactful more than just scoring. The confidence as a shooter is there, he can make his mark on both ends as a two-way option, and he's finding ways to go beyond just the boxscore, and those are the players whose game pop most for me. He has the making to be a really special player/     Krajewski consistently collapsed defenses with dribble penetration and aggressive downhill attacks. Plays with real pace and creates pressure once he gets a shoulder advantage. While he can score it, his feel as a facilitator stood out even more, especially when the ball was in his hands making decisions. Generated offense through rebounds, pushes, and finishes. The more involved he became as a creator, the more dangerous his team looked offensively.

Some of the best evaluations this month came from the main courts. While everyone else was watching the established names, there were a handful of players doing the little things that kept making you stop and pay attention. Different roles, different styles, but they all brought something that translated. These were some of the newer names that kept popping up throughout the month.