Pre Season Bump: 2026 Fall Ball Standouts

Fall leagues and preseason showcases in the state of New Jersey have fully been in the thick of things since last month. All of September and early October have delivered some standout performances from some under the radar guys along side some already established prospects that have turned heads over the last few weeks. After visiting several fall leagues and attending a number of preseason showcases the past couple of months, here are some notable prospects in the 2026 class who have made strong impressions during fall ball thus far.    NJ Legacy's Wednesday fall league continues to be some of the most competitive fall ball in the state of New Jersey and [player_tooltip player_id='2342637' first='Brad' last='Brown'] has demonstrated an ability to be a huge difference maker. A gritty two-way guard, Brown stands out with his blend of offensive versatility and defensive tenacity. He demonstrates sharp decision making and a dynamic scoring arsenal—mixing crafty finishes at the rim with reliable catch-and-shoot ability from beyond the arc. With the ball in his hands, Brown consistently makes high-level reads. Defensively, he's just as impactful, using his instincts to apply relentless ball pressure and force turnovers from opposing handlers.     [player_tooltip player_id='1788762' first='Will' last='Spross']'s most impressive showing this fall has without a doubt been his performance against Imhotep (PA) earlier this October. A fearless competitor who's not afraid of big moments, Spross exhibited his ability to be dangerous and versatile shot maker from three point range— knocking down shots as a spot up shooter as well as showcasing his ability to be just as dangerous a shooter off the bounce. Efficient in his movements off the dribble, Spross has also shown an ability to get in the paint off the bounce and finish with craftiness.     [player_tooltip player_id='1628300' first='Fernando' last='Badillo'] has showcased his value as a high-level floor spacer with the confidence and range to consistently knock down shots. He's proven to be a true catch and shoot threat, always prepared to fire and active without the ball. Badillo has been aggressive in seeking out his opportunities, consistently hunting his shot and demonstrating versatility by converting shots in the mid-range area when defenders closed out hard on the perimeter.     One of the more impressive performances from a guard this fall, [player_tooltip player_id='2509329' first='Ashton' last='Graves'] made his presence felt in every aspect of Hudson Catholic's matchups at the Georgian Court Fall Team Showcase a week or so ago, filling up the stat sheet and showcasing his versatility. He excelled in transition, pressuring opposing ball handlers and using his speed in transition to convert defense into offense. Graves also displayed his shooting touch from beyond the arc, knocking down spot up threes with a confident and compact release. His relentless motor and impressive athleticism allowed him to impact the game in a variety of ways—cutting into open space, crashing the offensive boards, sprinting the lanes in transition, and defending multiple positions effectively.     Competing in the Bloomfield High School fall league on Monday's and Tuesday's with his Millburn squad, [player_tooltip player_id='2549640' first='Chase' last='Plotkin'] stood out with his lethal and confident shooting ability from beyond the three point arc— knocking down movement threes and establishing himself as a serious threat shooting on the move. He showcased the little nuances that set great shooters apart—sprinting to the corner in transition, using smooth footwork off screens, constantly relocating, and getting into his shot with a quick, high release. Plotkin also impressed with ability to impact the game beyond his perimeter shooting—initiating offense, crashing the boards, keeping the ball moving, and bringing energy on the defensive end with his communication.     A poised and intelligent combo guard capable of shouldering the responsibilities at either guard position, [player_tooltip player_id='2883913' first='Pharoahe' last='Dixon'] has demonstrated his ability to be effective as a table setting floor general and a steady scoring punch. He's proven to be a reliable decision-maker when initiating offense, while also showing his ability to attack downhill with aggression and knock down shots from the perimeter in rhythm—traits that should remain a key part of his game this season.     Between MADE Hoops' East HSA and Northeast Preview, Al'Tariq delivered a pair of standout performances that highlighted his ability to be an authoritative paint presence with his intimidating size and length paired with his athleticism and fluidity. Reevey stood out as a defensive anchor, consistently altering and blocking shots at the rim while aggressively crashing the boards to secure rebounds. Reevey has also shown an ability to thrive off activity— more specifically rim running and second chance opportunities on the offensive glass. Reevey has also shown an ability to be effective in the low post with his back to the basket game, often times catching the ball on the block, making a move, and finishing strong around the basket.     Shining earlier this month at Hoop Group's Fall Mid-Atlantic Elite Camp, [player_tooltip player_id='2980759' first='AJ' last='Farrell'] delivered a standout performance that highlighted his dynamic skills as an on ball scorer— consistently breaking his defender down with his creativity off the bounce all while also being a poised and decisive decision maker, making sharp and precise passes to open divers and cutters. Farrell also stood out on the defensive end, using his length to disrupt passing lanes and pressure opposing ball-handlers.     A decisive point guard who possesses a natural ability to command the offense and dissect opposing defenses, [player_tooltip player_id='1604422' first='Alex' last='Pace'] has shined this fall in a number of different settings that've highlighted his ability to be a savvy and cerebral decision maker. Pace's excellent court vision coupled with his quickness off the bounce allows for him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates both in the open floor and in half court sets. With good feel for the game and an ability to maintain a healthy balance between scoring and facilitating, Pace is also capable of creating for himself whether it be converting on crafty finishes at the rim or being a threat from the perimeter as a shot maker from three.     Having gotten the chance to stop by a NJ Legacy's Thursday fall league last month, Max Gastelu stood out as a dynamic offensive initiator and floor general at the point guard position. He showcased creativity and control with the ball in his hands, consistently breaking down defenses off the dribble, getting into the paint, and generating quality looks for his teammates. He also demonstrated the ability to finish through contact and displayed soft touch on his floaters. Gastelu's game is built on a solid fundamental base—he plays off two feet, utilizes reverse pivots and step-throughs effectively, protects the ball well, maintains composure under pressure, and shows a high-level understanding of the game.

Fall leagues and preseason showcases in the state of New Jersey have fully been in the thick of things since last month. All of September and early October have delivered some standout performances from some under the radar guys along side some already established prospects that have turned heads over the last few weeks. After visiting several fall leagues and attending a number of preseason showcases the past couple of months, here are some notable prospects in the 2026 class who have made strong impressions during fall ball thus far.