16U Prospects who raised the bar at Tune Up

One of my biggest takeaways from the 16U division wasn't discovering new players; it was seeing familiar names in a completely different light. Several prospects looked noticeably better than the last time that we saw them and are trending up. The games look slowed down, and the added responsibility suited them. That's what you hope to see this time of year. These weren't one-game flashes either. They consistently impacted the game and looked like players beginning to separate themselves heading into the high school season. Here are the 16U players who stood out.   We have showcase season coming up, and with the end of club scene coming quickly, rankings, and showcases here, now is the perfect time to lock in with a subscription.   Some of the biggest risers in our rankings started by showing up & showing out at a showcase & they're approaching quickly!   Your showcase evaluation could be the one that changes everything.   Freshman & Sophomore Showcase - August 8th (Rankings Immediately following) Top Expo (2027 & 2028s) - September 13th    Use Dev26PH25OFF at checkout for 25% OFF & receive a custom registered graphic that comes with it! Lock in now!     This was the most complete I've seen Kisner look as a lead guard. He consistently ran the offense, controlled the tempo, and understood when to create for himself versus getting teammates involved. His downhill game opened everything up for Tr,u and he had some creative finishes, and once he reached the paint, he showed that he could finish with either hand in traffic, which you aren't seeing too often at this level. More importantly, the pace looked different. The game appeared to slow down, allowing him to process what's happening instead of forcing plays. He was a bit more assertive despite being a floor general, and if he continues to attack opposing guards, I feel that opens up even more parts of his game. I feel that there's another jump coming for him, and with him getting more varsity time and just getting out and competing more, he'll be on more radars. I liked what I saw from Cruz at the event.     I've watched Williams quite a bit between Regis and Colorado Magic, and this was easily the best version of him that I've seen. Everything looked more natural. He played at his own pace, made quick decisions, and never forced the issue. What stood out most was seeing him thrive without having to dominate the basketball. There were plenty of off-ball plays for him. He was coming off pin-downs, attacking out of the pick-and-roll, and relocating off the ball, which added another dimension to his game. Then, when it was time to take over as the primary ball handler, he settled everyone down and controlled the flow, which is what he'll be this upcoming season. His second half against [program_tooltip program_id='2955433' first='Colorado' last='Collective'] and complete performance versus State 38 United NXT felt like a player who's ready to embrace more. He's taken a significant step forward and looks like arguably the best guard in that class at this very minute. Liked how he performed.     Whiteside came off the bench for Tru Colorado and completely changed the energy every time he checked into the game. Against [program_tooltip program_id='2955433' first='Colorado' last='Collective'], he gave Tru Colorado exactly what they needed, bringing instant offense, crashing the offensive glass, and finishing through contact when momentum started to shift. He had a couple of and-1 finishes, he went on two mini-scoring runs, and he's one of those players who doesn't need a long runway to be effective. Whiteside plays with confidence, breaks defenders down off the dribble, and has a knack for making plays. Every team needs someone capable of changing a game's rhythm off the bench, and Whiteside embraced that role all weekend. Solid outing for him.     Lynch carried a heavy load offensively for Hoop Therapy, but he never looked overwhelmed by it. He's an undersized guard who plays much bigger because of how competitive he is with the ball in his hands. He commanded the offense, got teammates involved, and when his coach screamed for him to go make a play, he went and made a play. I liked his change of direction; he created separation and handled pressure with defenses throwing different looks at him. His toughness jumped off the page as he kept HoopTherapy in games, and he's proving he can run a team and be a scoring threat. Solid event for him, and this was another time where he proved that he belongs.     Marshall has reached the point where it's becoming difficult to call these performances surprises anymore. Every time I watch him, another part of his offensive package stands out. His face-up game is among the best you'll find, and he scores from the triple-threat position with patience that we don't have much of in the state. At the event, he consistently hit the mid-range, stretched the floor, finished around the basket with soft touch, and continued making high-level reads in the pick-and-roll. The scoring gets the attention, but it's the efficiency and feel that separates him for me. He looked like one of the top players in the building more than once this weekend, and I think there should be more attention his way.     Alexander continues trending in the right direction for me, and this weekend reinforced why there's so much excitement surrounding his long-term upside. The athleticism has always been there, but now the game is starting to catch up. He attacked downhill with confidence, embraced contact, and used his strength to finish over defenders. I want him to be relentless in that as he puts a ton of pressure on defenders when he's in attack-mode. Defensively, he remains one of the more versatile wings in the class, and that is where he should buy in the most. At the event, he comfortably guarded multiple positions, stepped down on the block against bigs, and altered guards shots at the rim. He's turning into a complete player, which is scary because it still feels like he's scratching the surface, which is what makes his progression so exciting to follow.

One of my biggest takeaways from the 16U division wasn't discovering new players; it was seeing familiar names in a completely different light. Several prospects looked noticeably better than the last time that we saw them and are trending up. The games look slowed down, and the added responsibility suited them. That's what you hope to see this time of year. These weren't one-game flashes either. They consistently impacted the game and looked like players beginning to separate themselves heading into the high school season. Here are the 16U players who stood out.