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<p>The stretch between the summer AAU circuit and the start of the high school season can be a difficult one for prospects looking to make their mark. With fewer opportunities to compete and get in front of evaluators, every chance to make an impression carries a little more weight.</p>
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<p>The Expo: Carolinas, hosted by Prep Hoops, provided that opportunity, and several unranked prospects took advantage of it. Among the standouts were two members of the 2027 class, two 2028s and two 2029s, each giving themselves another piece of evidence to build their case for a ranking. While the next rankings update won't come until November, these six prospects made the most their time at The Expo to show why they deserve to be part of that conversation:</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">First up on this list of players who boosted their case for a spot in the rankings is [player_tooltip player_id='3736118' first='Holden' last='Koss']. I was excited to see Holden at The Expo this weekend because he's an emerging name who could have a big role at Riverside this season. His combination of size and athleticism is very unique for a player who is still pretty off-the-radar, but if he continues on this trajectory, he could certainly be a D2 or D3 player this time next year. Along with the physical tools, he has a decent frame to hold up defensively and on the glass, and he has a good enough handle to slash to the rim in transition or in the half-court.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Levon has been in a unique situation with injuries and a potential reclass over the last year, but will be one of the best guards in Class A for the defending State Champs and is due a spot in the Prep Hoops South Carolina Rankings very soon. Smith III was one of the craftiest and most creative guards in the gym on Sunday, showcasing a tight handle, good feel, and a balance in how he attacked defenders. He stood out in both 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 games, attacking the space in the opening hour and then continuing with elite playmaking in the back half of the day.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">James might not be one of the first players to catch your eye pregame, but once he takes the reins of the offense, it's impossible to miss him. He had a great day at The Expo: Carolinas, living in the paint with a quick first step and a solid handle to beat defenders off the bounce. He also changes pace well and can stop and start on a dime, making him a really difficult guard for opponents. Once he creates a paint touch, he is a super crafty finisher and sees passing lanes extremely well. Braxton was one of the best guards in the camp and earned a lot more attention going forward.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Another junior guard who impressed with his consistent playmaking production and creativity is Santino. Tapia will be left with a lot of the ball in his hands after a ton of offseason movement away from TL Hanna, and he proved he's someone they should be excited to let work thanks to a strong showing in Rock Hill. He is one of a handful of guards who stood out in both settings at camp, but his ability to stay effective in either backcourt position by staying in constant attack mode allowed him to remain impactful in 5-on-5 play when other guards can phase out.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">The second Riverside Warrior to make this list is Wall. Of this group, Colin is the one I knew the least about coming into the day, but he was as impressive as any 2029 Wing that I watched. His plus wingspan stands out immediately and is a major factor on both ends of the floor. Wall consistently showed things for Team 10 and was just a positive in a variety of ways, including in passing lanes, as a shot-contester, on looks around the rim, and as a perimeter weapon. I'm not sure how big of a role Colin will have this year for the Warriors, but he's definitely one to know for the future.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2912817' first='Steven' last='Rayzer II'] caps off my list of Six Unranked Names Who Boosted Their Stock at The Expo: Carolinas. Steven is another young wing who simply impressed with his constant, positive activity. However, he displayed a few more intriguing things offensively. His flashes of scoring at all three levels were noteworthy, particularly as his range and confidence grew throughout the day. Rayzer II needs some work with his fluidity and mobility, but he has the foundation of a player who could be really good in a few years.</p>
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USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION
The stretch between the summer AAU circuit and the start of the high school season can be a difficult one for prospects looking to make their mark. With fewer opportunities to compete and get in front of evaluators, every chance to make an impression carries a little more weight.
The Expo: Carolinas, hosted by Prep Hoops, provided that opportunity, and several unranked prospects took advantage of it. Among the standouts were two members of the 2027 class, two 2028s and two 2029s, each giving themselves another piece of evidence to build their case for a ranking. While the next rankings update won't come until November, these six prospects made the most their time at The Expo to show why they deserve to be part of that conversation:
First up on this list of players who boosted their case for a spot in the rankings is Holden KossHoldenKoss
6'6" | SF/PF
Riverside | 2027 SC
. I was excited to see Holden at The Expo this weekend because he's an emerging name who could have a big role at Riverside this season. His combination of size and athleticism is very unique for a player who is still pretty off-the-radar, but if he continues on this trajectory, he could certainly be a D2 or D3 player this time next year. Along with the physical tools, he has a decent frame to hold up defensively and on the glass, and he has a good enough handle to slash to the rim in transition or in the half-court.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Levon has been in a unique situation with injuries and a potential reclass over the last year, but will be one of the best guards in Class A for the defending State Champs and is due a spot in the Prep Hoops South Carolina Rankings very soon. Smith III was one of the craftiest and most creative guards in the gym on Sunday, showcasing a tight handle, good feel, and a balance in how he attacked defenders. He stood out in both 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 games, attacking the space in the opening hour and then continuing with elite playmaking in the back half of the day.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
James might not be one of the first players to catch your eye pregame, but once he takes the reins of the offense, it's impossible to miss him. He had a great day at The Expo: Carolinas, living in the…
Another junior guard who impressed with his consistent playmaking production and creativity is Santino. Tapia will be left with a lot of the ball in his hands after a ton of offseason movement away from TL Hanna, and he proved he's someone they should be excited to let work thanks to a strong showing in Rock Hill. He is one of a handful of guards who stood out in both settings at camp, but his ability to stay effective in either backcourt position by staying in constant attack mode allowed him to remain impactful in 5-on-5 play when other guards can phase out.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
The second Riverside Warrior to make this list is Wall. Of this group, Colin is the one I knew the least about coming into the day, but he was as impressive as any 2029 Wing that I watched. His plus wingspan stands out immediately and is a major factor on both ends of the floor. Wall consistently showed things for Team 10 and was just a positive in a variety of ways, including in passing lanes, as a shot-contester, on looks around the rim, and as a perimeter weapon. I'm not sure how big of a role Colin will have this year for the Warriors, but he's definitely one to know for the future.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Steven Rayzer IIStevenRayzer II
6'4" | SF
Lucy Beckham | 2029 SC
caps off my list of Six Unranked Names Who Boosted Their Stock at The Expo: Carolinas. Steven is another young wing who simply impressed with his constant, positive activity. However, he displayed a few more intriguing things offensively. His flashes of scoring at all three levels were noteworthy, particularly as his range and confidence grew throughout the day. Rayzer II needs some work with his fluidity and mobility, but he has the foundation of a player who could be really good in a few years.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
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Holden
Koss
6'6" | SF/PF
Riverside | 2027
SC
. I was excited to see Holden at The Expo this weekend because he's an emerging name who could have a big role at Riverside this season. His combination of size and athleticism is very unique for a player who is still pretty off-the-radar, but if he continues on this trajectory, he could certainly be a D2 or D3 player this time next year. Along with the physical tools, he has a decent frame to hold up defensively and on the glass, and he has a good enough handle to slash to the rim in transition or in the half-court.
Steven
Rayzer II
6'4" | SF
Lucy Beckham | 2029
SC
caps off my list of Six Unranked Names Who Boosted Their Stock at The Expo: Carolinas. Steven is another young wing who simply impressed with his constant, positive activity. However, he displayed a few more intriguing things offensively. His flashes of scoring at all three levels were noteworthy, particularly as his range and confidence grew throughout the day. Rayzer II needs some work with his fluidity and mobility, but he has the foundation of a player who could be really good in a few years.
