Class of 2029 Prospect Rankings – Top Watch List Names, Part Two

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Monday we released our Top 25 Class of 2029 Prospect Rankings along with an expanded Watch List. Not only did this update feature our first look at ranking some of these young prospects, but it also added over 125 new names which brought our total Class of 2029 database to nearly 300 prospects. As always, we will spend this week diving deeper into our rankings release by highlighting some of those new names, taking a look at some stock-risers, mentioning some of the top Watch List names that just missed the cut, and much more. Here are some of the prospects that just missed the cut of our initial Top 25 Rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2888361"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2169c2dd026"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">East Chicago Central had a trio of talented freshmen that played big roles while leading them on a Class 3A North Semi-State run. One of the freshmen was ranked in our Top 25 while Gillis doesn't sit too far outside that threshold. The 5'10" playmaking guard had a strong season averaging 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while making 24 three-point shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2801971"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a216d5e21463"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pardue may still be flying under-the-radar a bit due to not getting any varsity run as a freshman, but we know he is a top prospect to follow in this class. He is a consistent top performer with a very talented Mac Elite 15u team and has positional size, strength, and athleticism beyond his years. The New Palestine guard shoots it well from beyond the arc when open, but really excels using his physical advantages against smaller defenders inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2948753"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a216d5e214c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Going all of the way back to our Prep Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase, Thoman was immediately identified as a top performer. At that event his positional size and fluid athleticism allowed him to simply drive it right and beat his peers to the basket. He still has success doing that, but has a more well-rounded game as the skill continues to develop. The 6'3" Shelbyville wing got valuable varsity experience as a freshman, plays at a high level with [program_tooltip program_id='2076927' first='Indy' last='Heat'] on the EYBL Circuit, and checks a lot of boxes in terms of projectable athletic and physical tools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3033288"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a216d5e21524"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We got to see Michigan City High School play a couple of times last season and in both games Upshaw Jr. would come off of the bench and immediately provide a scoring spark. The 5'8" guard is an excellent outside shooter with deep range. He is good off of the bounce too, but that shooting ability was always what captured our attention. Upshaw Jr. has had a good spring with [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] on the UA Rise Circuit as well. Averaging 5.9 points per game at the 4A level as a freshman and shooting 31-83 (37.3%) from three-point range will catch your attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2950496"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a216d5e2158f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There comes a point where you simply can't ignore the production and that is a big part of what this 6'1" guard brings to the table. Whether it is while playing up at the 17u level on the Prep Hoops Circuit, or playing with Indiana Jammers 15u on the UA Rise Circuit, he leads the way in scoring almost every game. Weaver is efficient from all three levels, has an impressive pop of athleticism, and has shown the ability to play either spot in the backcourt. There is a lot of talent at Scecina Memorial right now and he is one of the young guys to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2410429"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a216d5e215f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you step in and play right away at the varsity level at Homestead it means you are a real player. We had seen Weaver some in AAU, and he stood out at our Prep Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase, but getting into the rotation for the Spartans as a freshman was by far the most impressive accomplishment. The 6'1" guard is a great athlete and very effective as a slasher/driver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->