The Expo: Underclassmen Primed to Build Buzz

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 now we highlight the underclassmen looking to capitalize off buzz they generated in the summer.   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>    Moody remains one of the hidden gems in the public school landscape, but his name won't stay quiet for much longer. He's coming off a productive summer as primary scoring option for this [program_tooltip program_id='2528398' first='TTO' last='Showcase'] 15s team and put together an efficient summer of shotmaking both off the catch and off creating his own looks. With an intriguing frame, projecting Moody as a dependable shotmaker with a plus wingspan that allows him to impact the game on the defensive end as well. He's efficient in the passing lanes causing deflections, can snag rebounds at a high rate and lead the break himself as he reads the floor for an advantage.     The signs for a strong sophomore campaign continued to surface with Brown whether it came in Capitol Hoops Summer League, DMV Live or his grassroots season. The 6-foot-3 guard enters 2026-27 as one of the key cogs for a young Patriots roster who will need him to produce in multiple statistical categories and there were strong enough spurts over the last three months to make me a believer that he's up for the task. He attacks fluidly off the dribble to get to spots in minimal bounces, can knock down three's at a high clip and has good feel as a ball mover against aggressive closeouts or double teams. This will be a great opportunity for him to showcase when he can do in a free-flowing setting where he gets to play in space and show off timing as he hovers around the perimeter.     Branningan is a sniper from three who will have the chance to post some crooked numbers in this event if he runs the floor with purpose. Finding his spot on the wings, corners or coming off pin-downs with his typical shot-ready approach is going to result in a lot of buckets. On both DeMatha and his Team Loaded VA 15 team, which one the 3SSB crown in July, he plays the role of a typical floor-spacing guard. As long as he's responding well to others getting into the paint, he should see his fair share of open looks from the perimeter that he can cash in on.     DeStefano looks to make a splash at his new school in Landon after gaining valuable experience as a freshman at Damascus. He caught my eye at DMV Live with his blend of size and shooting to pose as a valuable floor-spacing forward who can get it going from the corners, but also looks to take advantage of smaller defenders by putting them in the post and using patience footwork to get over his shoulder. While these events usually favor guards because of the up-and-down pace, guys like DeStefano can stand out easier if they're able to take advantage of mismatches, convert away from the rim when open and be able to read the defense quickly as the screener in pick-and-roll/pop actions.     Hall was a standout in June for the EBA Pre-Live Warmup and this will be a great test for him to show off any improvements in his game. What we do know is he shoots it from range with confidence, doesn't need much time/space to get it off and his tight handle, quick-twitch ability makes it difficult for defenders to anticipate his next move. If he gets two feet in the paint, he's shown quick processing ability reading defensive rotations and finding open teammates along the baseline or spotting up for three's. Hall will be tested defensively with the cast of guards who will be in attendance here, so it'll be good to see how he responds to the challenge.     One of the more highly sought after 2030 prospects, Cooper is slated to battle for his spot in the rotation of a young, but experience Gonzaga roster. The 6-foot-1 combo guard has shown more command playing on the ball, but can shift to either guard spot with his ability to create for himself off the bounce. The crafty, dynamic southpaw should thrive in this sort of setting playing in at an uptempo pace and when in the half court, will operate in plenty of ball screens to show off his floor vision and ability to deliver off the live dribble.

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 now we highlight the underclassmen looking to capitalize off buzz they generated in the summer.