UAB Elite Camp: Guards, Wings, and Interior Names That Popped

UAB Elite Camp gave me another strong setting to evaluate players in live competition, and a few prospects separated themselves with traits that translate beyond a camp box score. I was looking for players who competed, handled physicality, made the right reads, defended with purpose, and showed a clear basketball identity. Some brought downhill pressure and scoring ability, while others stood out with toughness, two-way value, or frontcourt presence. These are the names that caught my eye and gave me something worth tracking moving forward.    Carter is a small lead guard who stood out as a tough downhill guard who plays with a competitive edge on both ends of the floor. His best work came when he put pressure on the rim, embraced contact, and forced the defense to make decisions. His willingness to attack the paint, finish through bodies, and create pressure opened up opportunities for himself and others. He showed really good feel to make reads once the defense reacted, and he showed many times that he is a floor general who can be trusted with the rock.     Taylen is a wing who played with drive, energy, and brought an aggressive attacking mindset to the floor. He is an aggressive attacker off the bounce from the jump and there was nothing passive about his play. He wanted to get downhill, attack gaps, and put his body into the play. That type of approach allowed him to consistently touch the paint, force rotations, create fouls, and make the game uncomfortable for defenders. The attack is there, but he has to convert more of those plays once he gets to the rim., so finishing is an area that he needs to continue improving.     Updated School: Huffman HS     Darren showed to be a skilled, playmaking, lead guard who did a good job running the show. He is a natural connector and creator, who showed a lot of craftiness and solid decision making when he got into the paint and collapsed the defense forcing help. He did a good job controlling pace, making the right reads, and avoiding turning creativity into rushed possessions. The lead guard tools are there and whether leading the break, setting up teammates, or taking over the game when needed, who proved to be reliable at the PG spot.     Cesario is a wing who showed really good versatility. He showed downhill pressure, tough paint finishing, isolation scoring, three-ball impact, and the ability to create his own look. That is a lot to work with because not many in the camp was able to self-create without looking force and ultimately forcing tough shots. He was one of the most potent scorers as he can attack the cup, get to his spots, and make defenders respect more than one part of his scoring package. He also showed that he can read help, make the simple pass as a result of his gravity, and take quality looks, which made his scoring package trustworthy. I have to admit his scoring talent popped.     James showed size and physical interior presence and it was coupled with athleticism. He brought energy and high activity on the glass which helped him to establish his frontcourt identity. He looked like a player who understands that his impact starts and ends around the rim with a good understanding of his role which is to: rebound, finish, take up space, and make his physicality felt. He controlled possessions through paint touches and making reads on the low block and being a deterrent on defense.    <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/PH-Christian-Palmero-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/PH-Christian-Palmero-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3712536" /></a></figure>   Christian Palmero (5'10/PG/GEORGIA)     Christian is a small guard who made a two-way impact, as he showed multi-level scoring, aggressive on-ball defense, and the ability to initiate the offense without needing to force the action. He looked like the type of player who can fit into any team's setting because he spaces the floor, competes defensively, and keeps possessions simple. He may be small but he showed he can guard his yard on defense, move the ball on offense, and stay connected when the game gets physical on both ends of the floor.

UAB Elite Camp gave me another strong setting to evaluate players in live competition, and a few prospects separated themselves with traits that translate beyond a camp box score. I was looking for players who competed, handled physicality, made the right reads, defended with purpose, and showed a clear basketball identity. Some brought downhill pressure and scoring ability, while others stood out with toughness, two-way value, or frontcourt presence. These are the names that caught my eye and gave me something worth tracking moving forward.