The Expo: Late Additions Set to Make a Splash

The Expo Showcase will take place this Sunday and each year there are several prospects who help boost their stock heading into the high school season. It's a great opportunity for some to improve their current rankings or put their names on the radar for the next update in their respective class. Yesterday, we highlighted some <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/2027s-with-a-point-to-prove-at-the-expo/">2027 prospect who have a point to prove at this year's event</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/the-expo-2028-guard-looking-to-boost-their-stock/">2028s set to attend who will look to boost their stock</a>, and <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/the-expo-underclassmen-primed-to-build-buzz/">underclassmen looking to capitalize off buzz they generated in the summer.</a>   Over the last few days, there's been a surge of prospects who locked in some last-minute spots for Sunday! Of the list, I chose six names that caught my attention at last year's event or over the last few months who I will have my eyes on.   The best thing about these events is it provides a stage for under the radar prospects to showcase their skills, so by next week a list like this is sure to be much longer!   Use <a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/2365/register/the-expo-maryland">DMV26PH25OFF at checkout for 25% OFF & receive a custom registered graphic that comes with it! Lock in now!</a>    Last year's Expo was my first chance to get a close, live look at Jones and it was easy to see that his rise as a junior was a safe prediction. The 6-foot-6 hybrid forward exceeded expectations and carried on to have a loud, productive summer as he heads into this year's expo as the highest ranked 2027 prospect at No. 26 overall. The expansion of his overall skillset has been evident as has the improvements with his strength as he takes advantage of the natural maturation process. He enters his senior season as one of the best prospects in the Baltimore Metro area and will use this stage to provide proof as to why he could be considered a top-25 prospect in the future update.     Gaeta is a productive forward who can fill out the box score and have a bigger presence than his 6'4"-6'5 listed height. He brings instincts in the paint and natural timing on collecting rebounds in bulk. He's effective at establishing and maintaining leverage inside to invite post-entry passes or put himself in position for second chance opportunities. On his block touches, he keeps is eyes up as he scans the floor for cutters before making the decision to back his man down and create angles for over the shoulder hooks. Gaeta has soft touch on floaters in short rolls, good timing as a weak side defender to draw charges and does all the little things you need out of a frontcourt prospect to put yourself in a position to win.     Another prospect who jumped onto our radar after last year's Expo, Chaplin has spent the year testing himself against high-level competition playing for [program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier'] and now, looks to carve out a role in the rotation of a talented Mt. Zion Prep group. He brings size with versatility to play either forward spot and in some lineups, could slide up as an off-ball guard. Chaplin has touch on his jumper from deep with space, but is at his best in the open floor where his athleticism allows him to be a lob threat. In this sort of setting where the pace will be up-and-down, I expect to have a few highlight plays out of the junior wing, who attended Concordia Prep last season before making the move to Mt. Zion.     Michael and his younger brother, Sam, will be in attendance this weekend and it should be a nice opportunity for updated evals on both prospects. Michael caught my attention with the high motor and intensity that he brought for Boys' Latin back in June when they played in the EBA Pre-Live Warmup. While the guards tend to dominate the ball in these sort of settings, it's the players like Michael who will pursue any 50/50 ball, take pride in his individual defense and take advantage of the opportunities that come his way offensively who have a great chance of leaving a lasting impression.     I was excited to see that Collins Jr. decided to register and prove himself among a nice pool of guards who will be in attendance. Playing his ball on the Eastern Shore, our evaluations of the 5-foot-11 lead guard have been limited, but in each viewing, he's shown promise as a long-term prospect. The 3v3 portion of the event will allow to see how he can operate in space, ball screens and other actions with significant space on the floor as an initiator. The 5v5 portion will be the time to evaluate his floor vision, IQ as a table-setter and how he guards his yard against shifty, crafty point guards.     Magnon is another name I was pleased to see sign up because of how hard he plays anytime he takes the floor. Last season for Magruder it was his relentless motor on the glass, cutting without the ball and defending multiple positions that stood out to me most. I'd expect much of the same in this sort of setting, but also the chance to show some growth in his game in face-ups or getting to his spots off the bounce. The good thing with players like Magnon is even if his jumper isn't falling, the production and energy will remain consistent.

The Expo Showcase will take place this Sunday and each year there are several prospects who help boost their stock heading into the high school season. It's a great opportunity for some to improve their current rankings or put their names on the radar for the next update in their respective class. Yesterday, we highlighted some 2027 prospect who have a point to prove at this year's event, 2028s set to attend who will look to boost their stock, and underclassmen looking to capitalize off buzz they generated in the summer.