Andrew’s Five Best from the Carolinas Freshman Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Carolinas Freshman Showcase brought together some of the top young talent from across the region, giving the Class of 2030 an early opportunity to make a statement. With plenty of intriguing prospects on hand, several players separated themselves with their production, competitiveness, physical tools, and ability to impact the game. After taking in the action, here are <strong>My Five Best</strong> from the Carolinas Freshman Showcase:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3688293"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a95e58be5ee4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3688293' first='Emory' last='McIntyre'] leads off this list of my five best from the Carolinas Freshman Showcase. McIntyre was one I was looking at with March's 2030 Rankings debut in mind, and he did nothing but help his case for the top spot on Sunday. Emory is the best shooter in South Carolina's freshman class, but he also has a strong frame for a guard his age to help him get to the rim and play inside the perimeter. He also brought a good defensive motor, which forced turnovers and allowed him to put on a couple of shows above the rim in transition. I'm excited to see how big of an impact Emory can have in his freshman year at Daniel. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2419237"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a95e58be5f54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jayden had an excellent day in Rock Hill. His shot-making ability was on full display, but he also showed glimpses of high-level facilitating that really had our scouts intrigued. Lewis efficiently created shots off the bounce, ran the pick-and-roll, frequently got to the rim, excelled in transition, and worked smaller matchups into the post, and there's really not much this young guard can't do on the offensive end of the floor. Gray Collegiate had a lot of departures in the second half of the summer, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jayden have a bigger role than expected and play key minutes in crucial spots this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3673046"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a95e58be5fa5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The most intriguing player I evaluated at the Freshman Showcase on Sunday was [player_tooltip player_id='3673046' first='Darian' last='Randolph']. This wasn't the first time I've seen Randolph in person, but it certainly provided the best feel I've gotten for him yet. He was extremely impactful with his length as a rim-protector, on both sides of the glass, and in passing lanes, but he also showed flashes of a handle that could lead to an extremely high ceiling. That floor, combined with the long-term potential if his jumper improves, make him a prospect you will want to remember. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735928"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a95e58be5fed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One prospect I was introduced to for the first time in Rock Hill was [player_tooltip player_id='3735928' first='Jeremiah' last='Ammons']. I really loved the profile that Jeremiah showed yesterday, proving to be more than capable of playing on or off the ball and staying effective no matter the offensive action. He moves well without the ball, has a beautiful perimeter stroke when he gets his base set, looks to set others up when he gets to the paint, and has a nice frame to play bigger than his listed size on both ends. Jeremiah was easily one of the most impactful guards at the camp, so I will be interested to see the output he has at James Island in 2025-26. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3704691"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a95e58be6030"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3704691' first='Isaiah' last='Clark'] rounds out my five best from the Prep Hoops Carolinas Freshman Showcase. Clark stood out physically among other freshmen, but he also showed flashes of an elite wing on the court. He was at his best getting the ball close to the rim, slashing to it from the perimeter, or getting out in transition. The perimeter shot will be the crucial attribute for Isaiah, but I like what he's shown with it so far, and he's in good hands developmentally. Look for Isaiah to push some more established names for a spot inside the Top 10 of our 2030 Rankings when they debut after the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->