5 Players Primed for the Next Level at The Expo

The next level demands more than talent—it demands players who can consistently make an impact when the competition heats up. At The Expo in Aurora this past weekend, these prospects showed the type of versatility, toughness, and basketball IQ that translate beyond the high school level. Each of these players has traits that college coaches covet. For more coverage, see <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/who-brought-handles-and-size-to-the-expo-illinois/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/who-brought-handles-and-size-to-the-expo-illinois/">who brought handles AND size to The Expo</a>.    A true two-way talent, Ruffin consistently found ways to impact the game on both ends of the floor. His body control is second to none and he makes up for his size with both his hustle and basketball IQ. Ruffin and fellow next-level prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='2467517' first='Darrius' last='Hawkins'], had great chemistry all day and could dominate in a two-man game. Ruffin showed pesky hands on defense and brought the same level of aggression to the offensive end, finishing several plays with emphatic dunks that made the crowd go wild.     One of the top point guards in the state, Hawkins' bag of tricks was on full display in Aurora. The word that comes to mind when watching Hawkins is slippery — he has a knack for changing speeds, creating space, and finishing at the basket. He consistently made the right reads on both ends of the floor, anticipating the play, swiping the ball, and not only generating his own offense, but keeping the whole offense moving. I lost count of the number of steals Hawkins made throughout the showcase and his jump shot looked clean all day.     Diambuana showcased a versatile offensive game, knocking down shots from the perimeter while also putting the ball on the floor and attacking the paint. He has such a strong feel for the game and consistently found himself in the right place at the right time, both offensively and defensively – a skill that can't be overstated at the next level. Diambuana's communication also stood out – he helped organize the defense with confidence, even when alongside players he didn't know. He hunted down his opponents on fast breaks and played with heart and energy on every play.     There are some players who just intuitively do all the little things right to help their team win; Taylor is one of them. These are the words I wrote under Taylor's name: well-rounded. High basketball IQ. Jack of all trades. On offense, you're getting a reliable, steady shot – an outside threat and spin moves at the rim. Taylor also rebounded well throughout the day. His positional size and value make him a player for college coaches to watch.     Agyeman always seemed to be one step ahead of the competition. There was a confidence and maturity to his game that popped. He was particularly effective at the rim after going coast to coast, pushing the ball up the court at a clip where his opponents struggled to keep up. More impressive to me than Agyeman's offense was his defense where his intensity and ferociousness were disruptive all afternoon. Tons of raw talent and defensive effort for coaches to work with at the next level.

The next level demands more than talent—it demands players who can consistently make an impact when the competition heats up. At The Expo in Aurora this past weekend, these prospects showed the type of versatility, toughness, and basketball IQ that translate beyond the high school level. Each of these players has traits that college coaches covet. For more coverage, see who brought handles AND size to The Expo.