About Jones
Expert Analysis
Michael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
Prep Hoops Ranking: 111
Next highest ranking: 142 (Rivals)
Another prospect who quickly rose up the national ranks, it’s hard to find 7 footers as coordinated as Lay is. Lay helped TLBA win the UA Rise championship and has built chemistry with Isaac Ellis during both the grassroots and high school season with Moravian Prep. Florida has done an excellent job at identifying high school recruits outside of the top 100 and under the radar transfer to help build a national championship team.
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Read EvaluationJay Anderson | Prep Hoops Scout
Lay is the latest prospect on the OTE scene to pop out of the Moravian Prep/YNG Dreamerz squad; he’s garnered attention from the likes of Bryant, Loyola Marymount, George Mason, Northeastern, Old Dominion, South Carolina and Eastern Kentucky as his stock continues to rise in the 2026 class; he’s a stretch-center who’s more than capable of holding his own in the paint and on the perimeter
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
One of the more intriguing 2026 bigs I’ve seen in July, Lay has some skills that are rare to find. His frame is excellent with wide shoulders and already stronger than a lot of other bigs. Lay started the game with a dunk on the first possession and a blocked shot on the next, that immediately caught my eye for a player his size. Lay is not a finished product by any means right now, but he has stuff you can’t teach and that’s why Division I programs have been aggressive in offering him over the past two months.
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Read EvaluationCameron Rivers | Prep Hoops Scout
A true 7-footer with a rare combination of mobility and strength that sets him apart. He’s highly effective at stretching the floor, capable of knocking down midrange shots and even hitting from beyond the arc, making him a versatile offensive threat. Lay’s exceptional basketball IQ allows him to read the game well, make smart decisions, and be an effective playmaker when needed. Lay is a high-level defender, using his length and agility to guard multiple positions and protect the rim. His ability to move fluidly despite his size makes him a unique presence both offensively and defensively. Lay’s skill set, combined with his basketball awareness and size, gives him significant upside.
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Read EvaluationJay Anderson | Prep Hoops Scout
Lay is a recent mover into the state of North Carolina’s 2026 class from South Carolina. He’s an under-recruited big man prospect worth getting to know as he gets acclimated to the style of play with Moravian Prep and the YNG Dreamerz on the OTE stage. At 7-foot, his strength and mobility aren’t easy to find everywhere. He’ll be one to watch this year as the season goes along in the 2026 class.
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Read EvaluationJay Anderson | Prep Hoops Scout
Lay is a big man prospect to know in the Moravian Prep/YNG Dreamerz rotation on the OTE stage. He’s a skilled big man out of South Carolina who produced 6.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game this past season at Atlantic Collegiate Academy. He’ll look to act as quite the anchor on the national stage in 2024-25.
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Read EvaluationBret Swanson | Prep Hoops Scout
Lay is a virtual unknown still to most of the state. Jones is now attending Atlantic Collegiate Academy in Myrtle Beach. He previously attended Green Sea Floyds HS outside in rural Horry County.
Lay currently stands at #27 after previously being #50 back in the June rankings. Jones already has good size and the ability to play face-up to the basket. He’s a very deceptive athlete on the floor with a very good skill set. Prep Hoops will for sure be watching the Armada play this coming season on the schedule somewhere.
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Read EvaluationChris Ewell | Prep Hoops Scout
Jones Lay
Jones
Lay
7'0" | C
Moravian Prep / YNG Dreamerz Overtime Elite | 2026
#181
Nation
NC
is making strides in the right direction and one coaches need to continue to take a look at. He makes an impact right away with what he does for you on the boards and his ability to protect the rim, alter shots, and stop dribble penetration. Makes unselfish passes out of the post and showed consistency with finishing in traffic and hitting free throws.
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