Top 17U Prospects Who Added New Layers at TuneUp

The expectations are already high for this group, so seeing them produce isn't what caught my attention at the PH Tuneup. What stood out was what they added to their games. The best prospects don't stay at the top by relying on what they've always done, they continue adding pieces that make them even harder to guard. Throughout the weekend, I saw several familiar names embrace new responsibilities, test different parts of their game, and show growth that should translate well beyond the summer circuit. Here are a few names that 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!     Cobb looked every bit like the high-level prospect we've come to expect, but this weekend, there was another layer to his offensive game. The outside shot looked cleaner, more confident, and he stepped into multiple threes without hesitation. We've heard about that growth, but we've wanted to see it, and now we have. Pair that with his ability to attack downhill and finish above the rim, and defenses were left picking their poison. The athleticism has always separated him, but seeing him become more comfortable as a stretch-big puts him in the upper echelon of players. He's dangerous. [program_tooltip program_id='2955433' first='Colorado' last='Collective'] ran through pretty much everybody, and he's who was manning the middle. He puts plenty of pressure on the defense, where they have to foul him or let him go add to his highlight reel. I like how aggressive he looked all weekend.     I've watched Ulmer score a lot of points since last summer, but this was the most balanced offensive performance I've seen from him for a stretch, and it's because of what he's added to his game. The perimeter shot remains elite as he has a deep 3-ball, is one of the few mid-range attackers, and creates for himself off the dribble. But what stood out was how often he attacked the paint. He finished through traffic, got a couple of dunks, and showed off more than a reliable jumpshot. That's something we hadn't seen a ton of. Against Morgan Dawgs, he completely took over, stringing together 15 straight points with step-backs, crafty finishes, and tough buckets around the basket. His scoring has never been in question. Expanding where those points come from only raises his ceilin,g as he showed me he could go inside as well. Can't wait to see what he adds next. Solid outing from him at Tune Up.     Tyson had himself a solid event because of what it looks like he's altered in his game. I feel like scoring was the focus for Tyson for a bit as he needed to shoot the ball for his team to stay aggressive, but as others around him have evolved, so has his game, and it's pushing him to what he's made for, being a true PG. He's playing with control right now and looks much more comfortable initiating the offense. He's reading second defenders, getting teammates involved before only his own shot, and he had some no-look passes that shifted the defenses that other guards simply weren't making at Tune Up. That balance allowed his natural leadership to shine. Defensively, nothing has changed. He's still one of the most relentless on-ball guards in the state as he was picking up full court and making life difficult for opposing guards. That's where he hangs his hat and should. Now the offensive side is beginning to slow down for him; he's not having to force too many shots, and you already know that you're going to get a chippy guy who brings it in every matchup.     There's never been much doubt about Williams' ability to fill up the scoreboard. He can score from all three levels, plays through contact, and gets downhill with strength and creativity that few defenders can handle. And that is while playing up at 17U. But what impressed me most was seeing flashes of him reading the floor before making his move. He knows how to manipulate defenses with his movement as he looks to score. But what if he used that same mindset to get teammates involved? I think that would only add to his gam and make him more dangerous. He has a scoring instinct, and with a push to add playmaking, I feel that he'll be much more difficult to guard. His offensive firepower pushed [program_tooltip program_id='2100026' first='7070' last='Athletics'] to an undefeated weekend as he had some stretches in which he scored 4-5 times in a row. The next step is becoming just as impactful by creating opportunities for everyone around him while continuing to embrace the defensive end as well. He's scratching the surface and still is one of the class's best.     Demari has one of the smoothest games in the state, and this weekend only reinforced that. He never looks rushed for Hard2Guard, controls tempo with the ball in his hands, and gets to one of the better mid-range pull-ups you'll find. We saw that over and over at Tune Up. What I liked was the commitment on the defensive end. He embraces that end of the floor and accepts difficult matchups. He navigates screens, communicates, and takes on the best guy. That's something I did not notice until this weekend. The game comes pretty easily for him, and it's so natural for him on the floor to score where he takes over in games, and you don't realize he's already at 20 points. Demari is a tough cover that plays the right way. His game is evolving.     Rich continues to prove he's much more than a scorer. His matchup against the Magic team out of Texas showcased every part of his offensive package. He was knocking down tough mid-range shots, creating off the bounce, and delivering when Morgan Dawgs needed baskets late. Then, against Hard2Guard, he quietly poured in 28 points while rebounding, pushing the break, getting to the foul line, and spacing the floor from three. What I appreciated most was how natural it looked. He's not just out there gunning the entire time. He passes and moves, slashes and is used as a cutter, and doesn't rely on just hunting shots. He simply read the game, attacked the right matchup, and let his versatility dictate the flow. That's the sign of a player whose game continues to mature, and that is while playing 17U again.

The expectations are already high for this group, so seeing them produce isn't what caught my attention at the PH Tuneup. What stood out was what they added to their games. The best prospects don't stay at the top by relying on what they've always done, they continue adding pieces that make them even harder to guard. Throughout the weekend, I saw several familiar names embrace new responsibilities, test different parts of their game, and show growth that should translate well beyond the summer circuit. Here are a few names that stood out.