Upward Stars Upstate Open Practice Notes + Live Period Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the first NCAA Live Period of the AAU season on the horizon, I was in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Tuesday night to check out [program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate']. They have a few recruitable options on the 17U and 16U squads including skilled bigs, knockdown shooters, and team-first playmakers. Take a look at some of my notes from their open practice and be sure to give them a look at the Phenom Hoops Rock Hill Live this weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Information:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team: [program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Spartanburg, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May Live Period Event: Phenom Hoops Rock Hill Live (Rock Hill, South Carolina)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Starsupstatembb/status/2054585715644580150?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Starsupstatembb/status/2054585715644580150?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027s to Know for the Live Period</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden Hudson</strong> - The top name to know on [program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate']'s 17U group is <strong>Brayden Hudson</strong>. Hudson is a 6'7" big man who attends North Henderson High School in North Carolina. He is a strong offensive piece who can use his size and feet score in the paint or stretch to the perimeter for threes and playmaking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3266567' first='Chase' last='Hoover'] - Hoover should also garner some college interest this weekend. He is an excellent perimeter shooter who can get hot and put up some huge numbers. If Chase can add some strength defensively and continue to round out his offensive game, he could be a solid option at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3637389' first='Alton' last='Every'] - Alton has turned some heads with his play for Upward Upstate so far this spring. He is true combo guard because of his ability to affect the game on or off the ball. Every is also a decent outside shooter, scrappy defender, and unselfish passer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2687375' first='Fabian' last='McClintock'] - One of the more popular players to know on this is roster is McClintock. When he's at his best, Fabian is an efficient interior scorer and can add some perimeter shooting and playmaking in spots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eric Gray</strong> - For those still looking at available 2026s, Eric is worth a watch. Gray was a four-year varsity player and two-time All-State selection at Union County High School. His unselfishness is something that always stands out and helps this team click in game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028s to Buy Stock Early on</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2722119' first='Noah' last='Dodd'] - Noah was the biggest standout to me at practice on Tuesday. Whether it was consistently knocking down threes, defending the perimeter, attacking the paint with bounce, or staying active away from the ball, Dodd was very impressive and should be one to know for this time next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2722116' first='Roman' last='Ruggiero'] - One of the best shooters in the Upstate is Ruggiero. He didn't always have a ton of playmaking opportunities during the high school season, but the Stars are working on his balance between taking good shots and creating good shots for others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2849170' first='Caden' last='St. Charles'] - Caden is another guard who will produce and get opportunities to run the offense for this 16U squad. He is a strong-framed guard who looks to use his size to get to the rim or pull-up at his spots in the mid-range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3230767' first='Hank' last='Davidson'] - [player_tooltip player_id='3230767' first='Hank' last='Davidson'] rounds out my open practice and live period notes. He is solid young big man who always draws positive reviews from his coaches for his on-court production as well as his off-court conduct. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->