Zero Gravity The Proving Grounds: Underclassmen Studs

This past weekend, I took in action from Zero Gravity's The Proving Grounds at Game On in Fitchburg, MA. This was a live period event, so plenty of coaches were present (all at the D3 level).   Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/05/zero-gravity-the-proving-grounds-unsigned-2026-standouts/">Zero Gravity The Proving Grounds: Unsigned 2026 Standouts</a>   Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/05/zero-gravity-the-proving-grounds-2027-stock-risers/" id="https://prephoops.com/2026/05/zero-gravity-the-proving-grounds-2027-stock-risers/">Zero Gravity The Proving Grounds: 2027 Stock Risers</a>   Below are seven underclassmen prospects who really impressed me this weekend.    Leichtman was arguably NE Blizz's best player this weekend and impressed me with his ability to do multiple things on both ends of the floor. Offensively, the wing has good size at 6-foot-4 and long arms to go with it, but he can handle the ball well for his size and can score from all three levels. He's patient in transition, he has budding athleticism, and he has a feel for the game that should also continue to improve. Defensively, he can protect the rim a bit and guards multiple positions. The Sharon High School sophomore should be a key part of their team next season and is definitely a college prospect—a reclass year would probably help him out a lot, too.     McDermott is another well-rounded piece that excelled for NE Blizz this weekend. The 6-foot-3 guard is an awesome passer and makes simple, on-time, and on-target passes to teammates when the defense collapses on him in the paint. When they don't, he can finish with contact and with both hands—he had two really nice wrong-footed lefty layups when I watched him play on Saturday. McDermott has great feel for the game and is always under control, and he pulls his game together by being able to make shots from the outside. He should be a key piece on Xaverian next season.     King is an awesome player who wow'd me with his competitive spirit before going out with an injury to his ankle on Saturday. The 6-foot guard is super strong with a low center of gravity, an excellent off-hand, and a great handle. He bodies opposing guards in the paint for finishes but also elevates at the rim to convert over bigs. He can make threes with deep range, and he has great passing vision. Defensively, King uses his athleticism and strength to make life hell for opposing ball-handlers. He's definitely a college player and just needs the exposure to get there.     Carroll was a scoring machine on Saturday and was his Moore Brothers' squad's best player. The southpaw got to the rim at will (usually to his left) and used up-fakes, slow steps, and body control to finish effectively over the defense. He has good size and footwork, and he's not afraid to take contact from bigger and stronger players. Carroll has an odd-looking shot, but he can make them from the perimeter and is also a willing passer. He also knows how to help defensively and generally has a high IQ when he plays. College player.     Hernandez is electric with the ball in his hands and was super fun to watch this weekend. The 5-foot-8 guard is little, but he's super strong and plays like a bulldog on both ends. He's a pest defensively—he slides his feet extremely well and has very active hands—but he can also handle defensive pressure himself and will start your offense comfortably. Hernandez is as solid as they come and should find a college fit when the time comes, especially if he continues to grow.     Toure is ridiculously intriguing. The 6-foot-3 guard is the younger brother of Abdou (Arkansas commit) and has a budding skillset and physical profile. For a freshman, he has a really beautiful release and can make shots from both the mid range and three with good rotation and arc on the basketball. But he also has great athleticism and will probably continue to get even more explosive as he gets older. The most impressive move I saw him make all weekend was a lefty layup high off the glass with a big-man on his hip. Toure's future is super bright and has more size coming if I had to guess.     Passing instincts and feel generally take awhile to develop, but Weaver is a freshman and already sees the floor like a college player. The 5-foot-10 point guard has unbelievable vision and can make every single pass you'd want your point guard to make. Kick ahead, pocket, weak side, no-look—you name it, he does it. The shooting ability is going to get better, and Weaver also does a good job getting in passing lanes and making life tough for opponents defensively, but it's his passing that steals the show. He's a joy to watch and clearly takes pride in creating easy baskets for his teammates.

This past weekend, I took in action from Zero Gravity's The Proving Grounds at Game On in Fitchburg, MA. This was a live period event, so plenty of coaches were present (all at the D3 level).