Rising Prospects Building Momentum for the 2026-27 Season

As preparations continue for the 2026-27 high school basketball season, several players across Alabama have quietly put together impressive summers and are positioning themselves for breakout campaigns. These prospects have consistently made their presence felt and showed why they are names coaches, scouts, and fans should know heading into the upcoming season.   Daymian Kirkman (6'3/C/2030/Wilson HS)   Daymian enjoyed a productive summer and continued to establish himself as one of the more intriguing young interior prospects in the state. Despite still being early in his development, he already possesses a physical presence that impacts games on both ends of the floor. He made life difficult for opponents in the paint with his strength, toughness, and willingness to battle for position. He consistently controlled the glass, showing strong rebounding instincts and a relentless motor when pursuing missed shots. What stood out most was the growth in his offensive game. While his rebounding and defensive presence have always been strengths, he showed improved confidence around the basket and a better understanding of how to finish through contact.   James Hilliard (6'4/F-C/New Hope)   James' versatility was on full display throughout the summer. At 6-foot-4, he possesses the unique ability to impact the game both inside and out, making him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. He is comfortable operating with his back to the basket where he uses his strength and touch to score, but he also has the skill set to step away from the rim and stretch the floor as a face-up forward. His ability to play multiple positions gives New Hope valuable flexibility. Throughout the month, he consistently contributed on both ends of the floor, showing strong rebounding instincts, defensive activity, and offensive versatility.   Jaden Lewis (6'4/F/Stanhope Elmore)   Every team needs players who bring energy, toughness, and effort on every possession, and Jaden checks all of those boxes. He consistently made winning plays throughout the summer and impacted games in ways that do not always show up in the box score. His athleticism immediately stands out, but it is his relentless motor and competitive spirit that separate him from many of his peers. He was a force on the glass, attacking rebounds with purpose and creating extra possessions for his team. Defensively, he brought intensity on every trip, using his athleticism and effort to disrupt opponents and make plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='3677195' first='Zach' last='King'] (6'1/CG/2028/Bob Jones)   IG: zacchaeus_king25   Zach put together a strong summer and showed why he is one of the more productive backcourt talents to watch in Alabama's 2028 class. He is physically strong and highly skilled, and possesses a maturing game that allows him to impact contests in multiple ways. His strength gives him an advantage when attacking the basket, while his skill set allows him to score effectively at all three levels. One of the biggest strengths of his game is his versatility. He is comfortable playing both on and off the ball, which allows coaches to utilize him in a variety of roles.   [player_tooltip player_id='2889197' first='Claude' last='Terry'] (6'5/SF/2029/Pelham)   IG: cj_ballen3   Claude continues to emerge as one of the most intriguing young wings in the state. At 6-foot-5, he possesses excellent size, athleticism, and versatility, giving him the tools to impact the game in a variety of ways. His defensive potential immediately grabs attention as he consistently takes pride in guarding multiple positions and making life difficult for opposing scorers. Offensively, he thrives when attacking the basket. He is a slasher who uses his athleticism to get downhill and put pressure on defenses. His ability to finish through traffic and play through contact makes him a constant threat around the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='3515020' first='Garrett' last='Harvey'] (6'4/SF/2030/Chelsea)   IG: Showtime.slim14   X: @Itsnotg13   TikTok: Itsnotg.13   Garrett was one of the more impressive young scorers to emerge this summer. At 6'4, he possesses good positional size for a wing and showed a growing offensive arsenal that allowed him to consistently put points on the board. What stood out most was his ability to create his own shot. Whether attacking off the dribble, finding space in the mid-range, or finishing around the basket, he displayed confidence and poise as a scorer. In addition to his offensive production, he impacted the game on the glass. He rebounded extremely well from the wing position, using his size and instincts to secure possessions and initiate transition opportunities.

As preparations continue for the 2026-27 high school basketball season, several players across Alabama have quietly put together impressive summers and are positioning themselves for breakout campaigns. These prospects have consistently made their presence felt and showed why they are names coaches, scouts, and fans should know heading into the upcoming season.