Hoop Group Southern Jam Top Performers Class of 2025-26 Part 1

Here are the top performers I observed at the Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest in Hampton, Virginia this weekend. The first group of prospects we will be featuring will be a major league late bloomer in Colemon Davis and a couple of skilled wings in [player_tooltip player_id='1542852' first='Ethan' last='Apergis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2347788' first='Merrick' last='Rillstone'].    The surprise of my 1 day in Hampton watching the Southern Jam Fest. Was seeing Solomon compete in the event. The young man has not played competitive for the last two years at DeMatha. So, watching him compete and play at a high level against talented Justin Caldwell and the Washington Warriors 3SSB Team was encouraging and refreshing. Solomon showed himself to be a solid post defender. And ran the floor extremely well in the two games I watched. Played solid post defense making Caldwell settle for turnaround jumpers in the lane and contested numerous shots showing good instincts. Watch him cut off 2 drives from smaller, quicker guards on several plays. Showed to be a solid rebounder with soft hands…Offensively showed a good touch around the rim. Finished with authority. Looked comfortable at the free throw line. It's very rare you see a legit big man 6-11 who plays like a throwback big and wants to be BIG. Solomon is a legit Division 1 prospect who will be a coveted prospect after a year of prep school or 2 years of Junior College…Carries a 3.6 gpa.       Justin is not a new name on the circuit but he certainly on a lot of D1 schools' radar, Caldwell continue to announce himself and could be a player you hear a lot more about this spring and summer with the Washington, Warriors on the 3SSB circuit. At 6'8+, he has tremendous size, a versatile overall game, and is one who impacts the game in several areas. Super bouncy and active both offensively and on the glass, comfortable in operating in a variety of areas of the floor and has a lot of tools that could make him the next man up in the Class of 2026. Time to write his name down now.       Sets the tone early pushing the break and playing fast or patient. Downhill guard, defended hard, good vision and made good reads. Competed well throughout the marquee matched up against the talented Team Loaded 17U 3SSB matchup. Darius High-IQ approach and pace control the game. Excellent decision-maker who rarely turns it over. Underrated off-the-bounce creator who finds angles to finish and create for others. Competes defensively and thrives in structured team settings. The young man just brings polish, poise, and maturity whenever he steps on the floor.     Emerging high-ceiling prospect, until recently, one of the biggest sleepers in the class. Long, skilled wing with knockdown catch-and-shoot ability. Plays above the rim when aggressive and impacts the game defensively with active hands and anticipation. High-character and High academic prospects thrive in up-tempo or a structured system.     Well put together wing, skilled versatile prospect, who is loaded with upside, [player_tooltip player_id='2347788' first='Merrick' last='Rillstone'] impressed with his two-way potential. He rebounded actively, ran the floor with purpose, and showed the ability to finish above the rim with bounce. Offensively, Merrick is comfortable spotting up beyond the arc and has the speed to push the ball coast-to-coast. Defensively, he moved his feet well on the perimeter and showed flashes of being a versatile stopper. With three-level scoring upside and a high motor, Rillstone's ceiling continues to rise.

Here are the top performers I observed at the Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest in Hampton, Virginia this weekend. The first group of prospects we will be featuring will be a major league late bloomer in Colemon Davis and a couple of skilled wings in Ethan Apergis Ethan Apergis 6'8" | C Episcopal | 2026 State VA and Merrick Rillstone Merrick Rillstone 6'7" | PF/SF South Lakes | 2026 State VA .