The Next Wave: Talent That Demanded Attention at Primetime

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Primetime Showcase once again proved why it is circled on calendars across the Southeast. With the live period looming, this event brought intensity, urgency, and high-level competition and several young prospects didn't just show up they announced themselves. Here is a deeper dive into some of the standouts who made noise…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3626220,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-Cemari-Watkins-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-Cemari-Watkins-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3626220" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2831061' first='Cemari' last='Watkins']</strong> (5'10/PG/2029/Tencu Threads) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: @c3mari__</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cemari was one of the biggest surprises on day 1 as he was a tough cover at the lead guard spot. He showed his ability to balance facilitating and scoring, but really showed a strong scoring prowess off the bounce as he lived in the paint and &nbsp;put constant pressure on the rim. He has a quick first step, is physical off the bounce, and embraces contact, in which he plays through off the drive and when finishing. He scored well from all levels and made his impact with his scoring potency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3626222,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-CJ-Patterson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-CJ-Patterson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3626222" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CJ Patterson</strong> (5'11/CG/2029/TN Heat) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: cj_patterson15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">CJ is a combo guard who plays at a good pace and seldom gets sped up and out of rhythm. He controls the game from the lead guard spot and understands how to get his teammates involved early and pick his spots along the way to take advantage of scoring opportunities. He has good vision and passing skills, particularly off the bounce. What stands out most in his game is his decision-making as he gets into the paint, reads defenses well, and makes the right play, whether that is scoring or facilitating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3626223,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-Austin-Valentine-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-Austin-Valentine-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3626223" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Austin Valentine</strong> (6'8/F|C/2029/[program_tooltip program_id='2078772' first='Team' last='Thad'] EYCL) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: ajtotrimm_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tiktok: ajtotrimm__ &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Austin is an interior presence who made an impact on the defensive end with his length. He made it very challenging for potential scorers to get clean looks at the rim. He was also a dominant factor on the glass and scored off putbacks. At 6'8 on the offensive end of the floor, he showed his ability to face up and attack the cup, where he often used his length to finish over the top of defenders. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3626224,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-Spencer-Mathes-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-Spencer-Mathes-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3626224" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Spencer Mathes</strong> (6'0/PG/2028/Bluff City Warriors) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: spenabenz._</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @s5getbuckets</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tiktok: addictedtothefunds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Spencer was one of the most sound lead guards I saw the entire weekend. He impacts the game on both ends of the floor and did a really good job making those around him better with his ability to facilitate on offense. He also showed his ability to put pressure on the rim and make plays off the dribble. Defensively, his on-ball pressure made it tough on ball-handlers and guards looking to execute for their team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3626229,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-Charleston-Owens-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-Charleston-Owens-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3626229" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194645' first='Charleston' last='Owens']</strong> (5'9/PG/'28/Madison Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Charleston.owens</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Charleston.owen1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Charleston is a lead guard whom I have been watching for several years, and he has continued to expand his game as a true floor general. He continues to get stronger despite his size, which can be attributed to his work on the gridiron and the football field. His overall floor game has improved, and he is seeing the floor better and showing an improved ability to make plays by creating off the bounce and being a distributor once he breaks down the defense. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3626232,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-BJ-Hamilton-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PH-BJ-Hamilton-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3626232" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>BJ Hamilton</strong> (5'11/SF/2029/RTG 2029) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: b.stay.hoopin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tiktok: icybh</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">BJ is a wing who impacted the game on both ends of the floor. He brought energy and effort and made momentum, swinging plays over the course of the game. He is physical off the bounce and was really aggressive during moments when the game got tight. When he set his mind to score the rock, he consistently put defenders in tough situations and on their heels. He was very active, and even though he may not be one of the primary scoring options, he showed his ability to provide point production over the course of the game. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->