2028 Prospects Drawing Eyes Far Beyond Arkansas

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More and more young prospects across the state are proving their games translate. The buzz isn't just regional anymore... these names are pushing into national conversations and into college coaching offices. Keep us updated on ALL prospects over on “X“ and “Instagram,” just tag @PrepHoops_AR &amp; @VortexSportsArkansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2637777' first='Press' last='Taylor'] - Press spent the back half of the AAU season playing up on 17U with [program_tooltip program_id='2820981' first='AAO' last='Flight'] Pro 16, and the jump in competition didn't shake him at all. Going against some of the top guards and programs on the circuit, the feedback was the same everywhere: fearless, tough, mature, and a true point guard who can run a team at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had multiple moments this summer that stamped that reputation. The biggest highlight: a game‑winner off a tough drive, a little footwork, a smooth turnaround jumper. All poise and all control. He followed it with a 10‑assist performance, showing off his court vision, decision‑making, and ability to manipulate defenders to create advantages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After picking up offers from UAFS and Barry University earlier in the spring, during the live period, Press played well enough to earn his first Division I offer from Oral Roberts. Playing up, producing, and earning offers that's a strong trajectory for a young guard who keeps proving he belongs on bigger stages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2979205' first='Tre' last='Hope'] - Hope is one of those guard/wing prospects whose upside jumps off the page as you watch, and the best part is he's already figuring out how to reach it. This summer, he proved he can score the ball at a high, consistent clip, living in that 14-20 point range nearly every game, and even popping off for 28 points in one of his best outings this summer. The scoring isn't streaky or static. You can tell it's steady, repeatable, and built on sharpened skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What separates Tre from a lot of guards his age is the rebounding and playmaking piece. He doesn't just hunt buckets, he plays within the flow of the game as he impacts possessions. He crashes the glass like a forward, and when the ball is in his hands, he's shown he can get teammates involved with facilitating feel. When his usage goes up, the production follows, and that's a major indicator of long-term projection. His play has already pulled in attention from UAPB and FAU, and that's just the start. With the way he's trending physically, skill-wise, and confidence-wise, the list is only going to grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2947654' first='Elijah' last='Span'] - Span came out the gate this summer looking like a breakout waiting to happen. His first splash on the Adidas 3SSB circuit was loud. 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks in a single game vs Kevon Looney's Power 5, immediately putting his name on radars. Through those opening matchups, he averaged 20 PPG on a wild 72% shooting, and he didn't slow down defensively either, finishing the weekend at 6 blocks per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'5", Span showed he's a real problem around the paint and the dunker spot, playing actively and disruptive. Offensively, he's a force when he gets downhill or catches in tight spaces near the rim, and defensively he's the type of presence you have to account for on the help side. His timing, length, size, and athleticism made him one of the most impactful forwards on the floor every game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All that production earned him 3SSB All‑Tournament Second Team honors for the summer, a strong indicator of what's coming as he continues to unlock more layers over the next two seasons. Span's early summer wasn't just a hot start in my opinion, it was a preview of a ceiling that's getting harder to ignore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2426780' first='Garyn' last='High'] - Garyn spent the entire year playing up and managed to pull eyes from everywhere: scouts, coaches, media, all paying attention to his shooting talent. His reputation as one of the top in‑game shooters in Arkansas and the entire 2028 class hasn't come from hype... it came from real, repeatable shooting moments. He set a program record with 12 made threes in Nashville, finishing with 38 points and a win. Then he turned around and topped that with 15 made threes and 49 points in a local tournament, proving he's not just capable of catching fire… he can burn the whole gym down when he gets rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the NxtPro Tulsa live period, still playing up on 17U, Garyn averaged 16 PPG, 3 APG, 4 RPG with four made threes per game, showing he can produce efficiently against older, stronger competition consistently, showing shooting translates no matter the level, no matter the setting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All that work has led to national scouts taking notice, pushing his name out to more evaluators and programs across the country. When you shoot it like Garyn does, with confidence, volume, and accuracy, people make it a mission to spread your name. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2724319' first='Daron' last='Hicks'] - Hicks is one of those two‑way guards who sets the tone the second he steps on the floor. Toughness, defense, and competitiveness lead everything he does, and once he establishes that edge, the offense opens up naturally. He's an unselfish guard who can slide between the 1 and 2, attack downhill, make reads, and impact the game without needing the ball every possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His spring and summer were full of winning moments. On a team loaded with guard talent, Hicks still carved out his lane by doing a little bit of everything: scoring, defending, rebounding, and passing. He helped fuel some massive wins by consistently being the connector piece; he was a major factor in a 60‑point blowout and an 80‑point stomping. His production backed it up too: 15 PPG on nearly 60% shooting, 4 RPG, and 2 SPG, all while playing his role at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the summer went on, scouts and college staffs started circling his name. Hicks kept showing up, kept competing, and kept proving he belonged in the conversation. That momentum carried into the UT Tyler Elite Camp, where he put together a strong outing that ended with an offer to come play at UT Tyler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->