July Independent Prospects of Note

Stanley was one of the best pound-for-pound scorers I saw during the July live periods on the independent circuit. He has the ability to put points on the board whenever the ball is in his hands, scoring efficiently from all three levels without forcing the action. Stanley lets the game come to him naturally, playing with outstanding pace and never allowing defenders to speed him up. He also showed impressive playmaking instincts, consistently finding teammates for quality scoring opportunities when defenses collapsed. His combination of scoring ability, composure, and feel for the game makes him one of the more intriguing guards in the 2028 class, and he is undoubtedly a name to know in Ohio moving forward.     Hickman provided valuable depth to Crown's guard rotation with his steady two-way play and overall feel for the game. Defensively, he did an excellent job keeping opposing guards in front of him while showing great instincts tracking down long rebounds, backpedaling like an outfielder to secure extra possessions. Offensively, Hickman displayed impressive body control, stopping on a dime to create space and making sharp passes through tight windows to set up teammates for quality scoring opportunities. He also added timely scoring when called upon, giving Crown another reliable offensive option. His combination of defensive toughness, playmaking ability, and unselfish approach made him a key contributor throughout the event.     Mooney thrives in the open floor, turning defense into offense and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities whenever they present themselves. Once he gets a head of steam, he is incredibly difficult to stop, attacking the rim with confidence and purpose. Offensively, he plays with tremendous swagger and has no hesitation pulling up from well beyond the three-point line, making him a threat the moment he crosses half court. His energetic motor is contagious, igniting his teammates and raising the intensity level on both ends of the floor. I also like the emotion and passion he plays with, wearing his heart on his sleeve every time he steps onto the court. Mooney does an excellent job drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line, though improving his consistency at the stripe would help maximize his scoring output, as he left a few easy points on the board.     Ross did a terrific job attacking downhill in the half court, consistently putting pressure on opposing defenses with his ability to get into the paint. He made excellent use of ball screens, reading defenders well and changing gears effortlessly to create driving lanes and scoring opportunities. One of the things that stood out most was his willingness to keep the ball moving—he never let it stick in his hands and routinely found teammates for quality scoring chances. Ross also displayed a nose for the basketball, making instinctive plays for himself while crashing the glass and coming up with timely rebounds. His combination of pace, playmaking, and relentless activity allowed him to impact the game in a variety of ways.     Duppstadt is a fundamentally sound playmaker with an excellent feel for the game and the ability to consistently find moving cutters with his vision and passing accuracy. He made the most of his opportunities at the foul line and showed confidence stepping into catch-and-shoot three-pointers, making defenses pay whenever they left him open on the perimeter. Defensively, he displayed tremendous effort by tracking down opponents in transition and preventing easy fast-break points with timely hustle plays. His combination of court vision, perimeter shooting, and defensive awareness allows him to impact winning in a variety of ways, making him a valuable all-around contributor.