Gray Collegiate Open Practice Evaluations + Season Preview

<!-- 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 month of September provides a key chance for high schools to get back to work and display their prospects to College Coaches. Monday, I was in West Columbia, South Carolina, to check out Gray Collegiate Academy, a team with a unique blend of upperclassmen and freshman talent. Check out this deep dive into some of their top players and what could be in store for the team as a whole in 2026-27:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Information:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>School: Gray Collegiate Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: West Columbia, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Dion Bethea</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classification: SCHSL Class 5A Region 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2149163' first='Jayden' last='Rowe']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2373167' first='Makhi' last='Tyler']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2693904' first='Kavontay' last='Rose']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2030 [player_tooltip player_id='2419237' first='Jayden' last='Lewis']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2030 [player_tooltip player_id='3674562' first='Treyvon' last='Smith Jr'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2030 [player_tooltip player_id='3592039' first='Marcus' last='Gleaton Jr']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Potential Contributors:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3771439' first='Elias' last='Torres']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 <strong>Jordan Nine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open Practice Evaluations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2149163"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aaadd4580d3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Top-10 prospect in the state has had a busy month of visitors. Both D1 and D2 schools seem to be heavy after him, so it was good to stop in and see where he's at headed into his senior season. Jayden is one of the better movement shooters in South Carolina's 2027 class, which was on display in Gray's open practice, plus he attacks and finishes at the rim with bounce. </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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aaadd4580d80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not only was an elite upperclassman on display on Monday, but two exciting freshmen were too. Jayden is the first up on the list, a young guard who looks primed to step into a massive role for the War Eagles. His perimeter shot-making and defensive intensity were the biggest things that caught my eye, and it's clear to see how going up against elite, older talent will make Lewis better heading into his freshman season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2419234"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aaadd4580db5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith was the other elite 2030 who I got to catch up with at Gray Collegiate's Open Practice. Treyvon looked great against air and some of their less-experienced bigs, so he should be high up in their rotation from the jump. As his jumper, handle, and fluidity improve, there could even be minutes for him in a jumbo lineup as a wing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3771439"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aaaf56b94b40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One under-the-radar player who impressed me from this check-in was Torres. He was one of their top competitors, standing out with activity and intensity in every drill. Elias also plays off two feet in attack mode, moves his feet well defensively, and makes the extra pass on the perimeter and on drives. If he can clean up his shot to provide a spark off the bench, he could earn some key minutes for this squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Takeaway</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although I didn't get to see the full-strength War Eagle group due to travel ([player_tooltip player_id='2373167' first='Makhi' last='Tyler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2693904' first='Kavontay' last='Rose']) and injury ([player_tooltip player_id='3592039' first='Marcus' last='Gleaton Jr'].), I saw exactly what I needed to from the big names that were there. There are some question marks on their depth because of the late-summer departures, but the addition of elite freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='3674562' first='Treyvon' last='Smith Jr']. and [player_tooltip player_id='2419237' first='Jayden' last='Lewis'], who were both All-State players as 8th Graders, will help fill the talent void despite them not having a ton of experience. Gray's size across the board is one of their top attributes as a team, but they also have guards and shooters to balance it out. Overall, despite this squad looking extremely different than the one we watched in June, Gray Collegiate Academy will still enter the season as one of the best teams in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->