Recent Grassroots Stars – 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently released an article highlighting some very recent grassroots stars in the class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2024/07/recent-grassroots-stars-2025/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2024/07/recent-grassroots-stars-2025/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now we will do the same - highlight players that stood out over the week or weekend in grassroots play. This time we will focus on the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1437541"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669fa9e299285"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blackwell certainly represented Always In My Bag with style and grace. He's a defending state champion and he played like it over the weekend. Blackwell topped 20 points at least twice, going off for 26 and 24. He's turned into a guard that you almost have to pick up at half court due to his ability to pull up and shoot on a dime. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1420408"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669fa9e2992e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's back with a vengeance. Pleyer is hot right now, playing some really great basketball and seeing his name in lights again. He's certainly added to his offensive arsenal and that was apparent over the weekend, even when playing up. Pleyer used a nasty crossover to shake his defender, touch paint and make a play. He also showed that his overall athleticism is pretty underrated. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588212"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669fa9e299339"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mercer II kind of just went off over the weekend at the PRO 16 League. Mercer consistently created and found looks at the rim from beyond the arc. He was in double figures all 4 games, with highs of 27 and 33. It was his outside shooting that stole the show. Mercer connected on 10 triples on his way to his 33 point game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1806491"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669fa9e299383"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">VanderWaal was excellent at Brawl For The Ball this past weekend. As a matter of fact, he helped his team to a championship in Grand Rapids. VanderWaal, just like he has been all summer, was a model of consistency. I've seen [program_tooltip program_id='2166963' first='NorthCoast' last='Premier'] more than a handful of times and he been solid every single game. VanderWaal has the ability to be a points and rebounds double-double threat every night come high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112207"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669fa9e2993ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Britton made a statement for the [program_tooltip program_id='2078459' first='Michigan' last='Playmakers'] over the weekend. Britton showed some speed and fluidity of motion. These equated into some explosive offensive games for the athletic guard. Britton has a 23 point outburst and added an 18 point game. He played well at a fast pace and was able to be balanced on his jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->