Dozens of 2029’s introduced themselves at UAA Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PICTURED: BMaze 15u</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dozens of teams wrapped their 2026 AAU season last weekend in Louisville's Kentucky Expo Center. Yes, the lighting is weird and the courts are temporary, but many Class of 2029 players made their first impressions for us. Perhaps you can get to know them for the first time too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scenic Warriors 15u</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2866965"],"_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-6a62b24fe743c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>7/18/26:</strong> So tough. Probably 5'9" 155ish. Hunts contact. Big chest. Agility mid-air made a big difference Saturday. He sometimes jumps without knowing where the layup/shot is going to come. That will lead to turnovers some. Hands are quick. Hard-charging. He charged or drew a foul almost every single drive. Improving his shot selection and poise under duress are important areas for improvement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 <strong>Drew Rivers </strong>(Boyd Buchanan) - Vocal guard. Supports his teammates in-game. He picked up two fouls in the first 10 minutes of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3701841' first='Hudson' last='Monroe'] </strong>(McCallie) - Combo guard?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3699014' first='Noah' last='Cockerham']</strong> (McCallie) - Thin shooter. Surprisingly nimble. Likes to shoot the 3-pointer. His mobility is better than expected. He looks like he will keep growing a few more inches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#12 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3701848' first='Harrison' last='Ayer']</strong> - wing guard. Thin. Mentally locked in throughout. Gritty. Tougher than his body type suggests. Needs better speed long-term. Maybe a point guard on a different team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#13<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='3701842' first='Drew' last='Neal']</strong>. Jake's younger brother. Needs quicker feet. Amiable. Probably 5'8". Jake is now 6'0, so maybe he grows a bit. Elite shooting touch. Defends with pride.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3701843' first='Cooper' last='Brewer'] </strong>- 6'4" C/PF He has a knee brace, so it was unclear if he was fully recovered or using it as a precaution.. Basically a center for Scenic Warriors. Alert defensively. Can he move his feet? He will always be a forward. Working on explosiveness is imperative. Cooper took and missed one 3-pointer in the game's first half. It was from the top of the key. His form looked fine. Not fast, but amazing transition defense. Cooper worked hard on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">STARS Premiere 15u</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3573481"],"_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-6a62b24fe74b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>7/18/26:</strong> Big, strong kid. Stands about 6'4" Going to be one of the strongest physically in his class this next winter. His game is raw right now. Facing a smaller team late Saturday morning Singleton did not take any jumpshots, so that evaluation is incomplete. Slashing is a strength, but he could have been even more assertive in the game. The size advantage, specifically among STARS 15u Premier was substantial and yet they hardly leaned upon it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#5 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3573661' first='Major' last='Anding'] </strong>-- Needs to improve lateral mobility. Looks like he wants to be a guard. But he can't slide fast enough yet. Broad shoulders. Shooting touch is ok. Projects as a SG. Maybe a PG, but he can't defend the guards right now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#8 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3636384' first='Caleb' last='Thrash'] </strong>Speedy. PG. Lefty. He sees the floor well. Not perfectly yet. But very well. Good court awareness. Offensively, he is ahead of defense. Could be more vocal. 5'10" BGA Coach is high on Caleb.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3636361' first='Briggs' last='Waddey'] </strong>- Very athletic. Unafraid of contact. Left-handed. Golfs at a high level. Grew up playing some soccer and football too. Projects as a combo guard. Maybe, maybe a point guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#14 <strong>AJ Powell </strong>-- Gritty. Sometimes he plays in a hurry. Needlessly. Projects as a PG/SG. Average athleticism. Good guard height. Started to add muscle. I think he is 6'1"+ . Kind of plays like a Tyler Hansbrough. His body is always in the mix. Defends all over the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3141892' first='Dillon' last='Springs'] </strong>- looks shorter here, meaning the size of guards is trending upwards at the 15u level. [player_tooltip player_id='2236659' first='Anthony' last='Wiggins'] faced the same thing early in his AAU career. He grew a bit and added a lot of muscle in the intervening years. Dillon was a little timid vs. Carolina Premier 15u when collecting inbounds passes under pressure. He needs to get stronger and also use his shoulder to create some. Quickness and skill are his separators currently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#31 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3701647' first='Ethan' last='Coverston']</strong> -- PF/C. Classic big. Kind of like [player_tooltip player_id='2856293' first='Logan' last='Williams'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">BMaze 15u </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3344017"],"_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-6a62b24fe753f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>7/18/26:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='3344017' first='Rio' last='Curry'] will be transferring. He might attend Providence Christian Academy (PCA) and he might attend Hardin Valley. No matter where the young man goes he will battle for All-District and likely fight for Top 20 within his class throughout. Elite shooter. Above average defender. Nice guard height. He could play either guard position, but he played SG for BMaze this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->