He put together a very productive 2026 season in the limited opportunities I had to evaluate him. Each time I saw him, he displayed an intriguing combination of athleticism, skill, and a competitive mentality that gives him considerable upside moving forward. Those tools should put him in a great position to make a significant jump during the upcoming 2026–2027 season. I’m looking forward to having more opportunities to evaluate him this year and watching how his game continues to progress and develop.

Carter Sparks was one of the more complete offensive wings on display at the AAU World Championships. He showed a polished handle, operated comfortably with the ball in his hands, and consistently made the right reads as both a scorer and facilitator. Sparks was able to create advantages off the dribble, get to his spots, and keep the offense flowing with his decision-making. What stood out most was the variety of ways he impacted the game offensively, as he contributed well beyond scoring and showed a mature, well-rounded approach from the wing position.