CBG Fall Finale: Saturday’s Notable Underclassmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CBG hosted its fall finale over the weekend down in Richmond, VA at Henrico Sports &amp; Events Center where a loaded slate of games unfolded on Saturday. I was court side for many of the best matchups and will have content flowing through the MD/DC and Virginia site in the next few days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I already broke down the <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/10/cbg-fall-finale-md-dc-upperclassmen-notables/">notable upperclassmen in the MD/DC area</a></strong> before <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/10/cbg-fall-finale-md-dc-underclassmen-notables/">moving onto the underclassmen</a></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/10/cbg-fall-finale-notable-va-upperclassmen/">highlighted the upperclassmen</a></strong> from VA who brought significant impact. Now, I shift gears to the underclassmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2958182"],"_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-6ae1ccda080a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was my first time seeing Smith live and it didn't take long for his approach and production to live up to the buzzing hype that he's generated this summer and fall. Smith is a poised, dynamic lead guard who operates with a mature pace, is efficient as a decision make both as a scorer/passer and is someone who makes everyone around him better the moment he steps on the floor. The threat of his long range jumper forces gravity at all times one he crosses half court, but his change-of-pace burst playing out of ball screens or DHO's makes life tough for his matchup to stay in front or avoid switching. A three-level scorer, Smith spent time getting two feet into the paint where he could either finish the job himself with floaters or made several impressive reads to teammates along the baseline or the weak side corner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3538906"],"_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-6ae1ccda0812f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason showed me a ton this summer on a stacked Team Loaded 15s team that he's able to shine in his role, but also be able to adapt and answer the call when a game is in crunch time. A wing that can slide down to the four spot and exploit mismatches, the 6-foot-6 sophomore showed more optimistic signs of growth in a battle of a game against St. James on Saturday. He guarded his yard with pride, came up with 50/50s more times than not and served as a valuable floor spacer as guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2767487' first='King' last='Bacot'] and other guards penetrated the defense. Mason's size and aggression made him a presence in transition both offensively and defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2767813"],"_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-6ae1ccda081a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cole will be one of the best prospects in the VA 2029 class when all is said and done. Comparing the growth in his game even dating back to as early as July is promising. He served more of a true 5-man role for Loaded 15s, but with Peterburg this weekend, has the freedom to venture out to the perimeter and pull the trigger with time and space. In these scenarios, Cole also showed some wiggle off the bounce to relieve ball pressure and then take advantage of driving lanes that presented themselves before putting his head down and refusing to be denied at the rim. He approaches the glass with tenacity and whether he's in or out of the area, pursues misses with tremendous urgency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2802004"],"_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-6ae1ccda0822a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's going to be interesting to monitor Nunez this season on a senior-laden St. James rotation. He came off the bench Saturday, but what I loved about it was he still provides the same infectious passion and energy as we saw countless times over the summer where he was a premier prospect on Durant 15s. It was entertaining to see Nunez and Cole clash for rebounds as both sophomores take immense pride in their controlling of the glass and will make multiple efforts to secure extra possessions. Nunez had multiple finishes through contact around the rim, but none were louder than a putback that he had in the second half that helped stir up a late-game push from St. James to eventually secure the one-possession victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3538924"],"_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-6ae1f5bfb9c13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another impact transfer who should see his stock rise pretty significantly over the next year is Robinson. It doesn't take long to recognize the smooth operating ability in getting to his spots off the bounce. He was at his best on Saturday catching from the either wing and using his long, bursty first step to gain a driving edge before initiating a bump and stepping back or into his mid range jumper. The physical makeup and archetype of Robinson catch your eye with his wiry frame and some hints of developing into more of an on-ball role at down the road at 6'4"-6'5." This season at STAB should serve him well learning from [player_tooltip player_id='3540621' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] as he continues to tighten his handle, improve his decision making on the move and continue to mature physically before potentially taking the keys in 2027-28 as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->