August Rankings Update: Stock-Rising 2029s

<!-- 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>With the summer evaluation period in the books, several 2029 prospects have strengthened their cases for a rise in the South Carolina rankings. Here's a look at some of the sophomore class's biggest stock-risers after a loaded two months.</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":["2853393"],"_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-6a721e5d5a539"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading off the list of stock risers from the August Rankings Update is [player_tooltip player_id='2853393' first='Babar' last='Johnson']. Johnson had a breakout summer, stamping himself as one of the best prospects in South Carolina. He looked strong with both Westwood High School in June and with [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars SE'] during 3SSB play, particularly in the Palmetto Road Championships, where he looked like he could push for a spot in the National Rankings. Babar has elite physical traits, so as he continues to polish his skill set and improve his feel, the big-name schools will come calling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2948744"],"_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-6a721e5d5a5cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charlie rose three spots from #8 to #5 in the August Rankings Update. He is not yet the finished product, but there are lots of intriguing pieces to Cothran's game. He is offensively skilled in multiple areas on the floor, looking comfortable finishing around the cup, making plays out of short roll or in the post, and stretching his game to the perimeter. At 6'8", Charlie has size that you can teach, but if he can get stronger and more dominant on the defensive end and on the glass, that's what could take his game to the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3041765"],"_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-6a721e5d5a64c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The second Westwood Redhawk to grace this list is Grant. Desmond also moved up three spots in this rankings update, earning a birth in the Top 10. I was impressed by what I saw from him early in the summer, but he solidified his spot in the Top 10 with a handful of impressive showings with [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia'] to close the summer. Grant's positional size and length are what have his trajectory among the best guards in his class, but he already has shown that he will produce on both ends whenever he's on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3472536"],"_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-6a721e5d5a6c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3472536' first='Eli' last='Howard'] caps off the Top 10, stepping up 4 spots from #14 the last time around. Howard has a great case for being the best shooter in South Carolina's rising sophomore class, proving it with strong performances with JL Mann and [program_tooltip program_id='2076394' first='Carolina' last='Premier'] this summer. Eli is definitely a high-volume guy, but he is usually efficient even with a large number of attempts per game. This creates a big sample size to look at for him, which separates him from a lot of others in the conversation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2743961"],"_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-6a721e5d5a734"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Pee Dee youngster continues to rise in the Prep Hoops South Carolina Class of 2029 Rankings. Nowlin started at #19 in the debut, then jumped up to #12 in late May, and now sits at #11 in this update. Jayden has one of the longer wingspans in his class, allowing him to be a very impactful defender as he learns and improves on the offensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2985347"],"_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-6a721e5d5a7a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2985347' first='Makai' last='McKnight'] is the biggest stock riser in the August Rankings Update. He rose 23 spots from #35 to #12, with a couple of extremely impressive showings in June and July. June's came at the USC Team Camp, displaying his explosiveness in attacking the rim, while July's came at the PHL Finals, where he showcased some elite off-the-dribble shot-making. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3102377"],"_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-6a721e5d5a815"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another high-ceiling guard who made a big jump in this update. Caiden has flashed his potential on several occasions over the last 12 months, including an impressive showing playing up with [program_tooltip program_id='2163938' first='Next' last='Level Elite'] 17U at a live event. Williams' combination of perimeter shooting and dynamic off-the-dribble scoring is unique and the main reason why he sits so highly among his peers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2970406"],"_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-6a721e5d5a881"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Garvin rises back up into the Top 50 after dropping down a few spots in May. I liked what I saw from him with [program_tooltip program_id='2076394' first='Carolina' last='Premier'] at UAA in Atlanta. He showed nice signs of development as a scorer, improving his handle and creativity around the rim. It will be interesting to see which attribute is next to take a step, with shooting and facilitating the two areas needed for long-term success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2830975"],"_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-6a721e5d5a8eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out the list of August stock risers in the Prep Hoops Class of 2029 Rankings is [player_tooltip player_id='2830975' first='Madyx' last='Ulmer']. Ulmer could make a real push for an All-Region honor in his sophomore season, and Pendleton is a team I'm high on in 2A. Madyx can be a dynamic playmaker in either backcourt position, but I'm betting on him to be one of the better Point Guards in the Upstate before he heads off to college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->