AAU World Championships: 5th Grade Frontcourt Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orlando, FL — After breaking down the top <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/07/aau-world-championships-5th-grade-backcourt-standouts-2/">backcourt</a></strong> performers and <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/07/aau-world-championships-5th-grade-wing-standouts/">wing </a></strong>standouts from the 5th Grade Division I bracket, our focus now turns to the frontcourt. With 42 teams competing at the AAU World Championships inside the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, there was no shortage of talented bigs and forwards who made their presence known. The group featured a mix of interior scorers, physical rebounders, rim protectors, and versatile frontcourt prospects capable of impacting the game on both ends of the floor. The players highlighted below consistently produced, embraced their roles, and established themselves among the top frontcourt performers in the 5th Grade Division I bracket...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3701975,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3702005,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a622b813f0d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jeremiah Ekoma spent much of the AAU World Championships playing in the frontcourt for Team Durant, helping the program reach the 5th Grade Division I semifinals. While he projects more naturally as a wing over the long term, his size, athleticism, and strength allowed him to thrive inside. Ekoma consistently finished through contact, established deep post position, and used his physical advantages to score efficiently around the basket. His ability to control the paint, rebound, and create mismatches against smaller defenders gave Team Durant a valuable interior presence while also highlighting his long-term positional versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3701986,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3702008,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a622b813f16b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Benaiah Kaijuka provided a steady interior presence for Southside Elite S4G as the program advanced to the 5th Grade Division I championship game at the AAU World Championships. He finished efficiently around the basket, using his size and touch to convert opportunities in the paint while consistently making himself available around the rim. Kaijuka also controlled the glass on both ends, creating extra possessions and limiting second-chance opportunities for opponents. His physicality, rebounding, and efficient interior scoring gave Southside Elite S4G a reliable frontcourt presence whenever he was on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3701987,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3702009,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a622b813f1ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Liam Russell gave UPlay a consistent frontcourt presence during the AAU World Championships, using his size to create advantages on both ends of the floor as the team made a deep run in the 5th Grade Division I bracket. He was effective finishing around the basket, displayed soft hands on interior catches, and consistently converted high-percentage opportunities. Russell also moved well in transition for a player his size, allowing him to beat opposing bigs down the floor and stay involved offensively. On the glass, he embraced the physical side of the game, boxing out with purpose and securing rebounds to help his team control possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3702002,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3702003,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a622b813f24d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gavin Weddington gave AE5 a true back-to-the-basket presence at the AAU World Championships. He established position early, made himself available on the block, and consistently converted around the rim with size and touch. Weddington didn't need many dribbles to be effective, keeping his game simple and productive while forcing defenses to collapse when he caught it inside. He also rebounded his position well, clearing space on the defensive glass and creating second-chance opportunities on the offensive end. His ability to anchor the paint gave AE5 a reliable interior option every time they went to him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3702004,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3702011,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a622b813f2a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kaden Wright introduced himself in a big way at the AAU World Championships. The explosive frontcourt prospect consistently found ways to influence the game on both ends, bringing a high motor and physical presence that showed up on nearly every possession. He scored with confidence around the basket, ran the floor well, and finished plays with authority. Defensively, Wright competed with purpose, challenged shots, and used his activity to disrupt opposing offenses. After this performance, he's firmly established himself as a Class of 2033 prospect to know coming out of the Midwest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more from Prep Hoops Next!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->