Our clear pick for Most Improved Player in the league in this year, McKie made the noteworthy jump from glue guy off the bench to regular offensive focal point while putting together a First Team All-PCL season. Filling the void left by his brother (Dayton freshman Jaron McKie) and FGCU guard Jordan Ellerbee, the sophomore swingman emerged into a consistent double-figure scorer and a threat to go for 20-plus on any given night. McKie shows natural touch as a finisher and shotmaker from all over the floor and is developing the ball skills to be able to create his own shot consistently from a variety of different actions. He remains a constant factor in the floor game, using his length and twitchy athleticism to make plays around the ball on both ends. The ceiling is quite high for McKie and he made a big jump this season toward turning potential into regular production.

McKie showed increasing flashes last season as the year progressed, shining in a condensed role off the bench, but has stepped forward in a huge way as a sophomore while solidifying his place in the top 5 of our rankings. Previously more of an energy-based glue guy, McKie has emerged as an offensive focal point, stretching the limits of his scoring and shot-creation abilities while still maintaining the two-way activity that first put him on the radar. He’s developed into a dangerous shooter off the catch with dynamic length and explosive leaping ability. His natural instincts for being around the ball combined with his physical tools, bloodlines, and quickly-expanding skillset make for an appealing recipe at the high-major level down the line.

While St. Joe’s Prep is in a bit of a rebuilding year with a new head coach and the graduation of an accomplished 2025 class, the growth shown by McKie in the early portion of the year has nonetheless been one of the bigger developments across the PCL. Stepping up from an energy-based auxiliary role to a go-to scoring option, McKie has hit the ground running, improving by leaps and bounds in both his skill level and confidence as a shot-creator from the perimeter. The lanky swingman scored an efficient 12 points on Monday, showing natural touch as a finisher near the rim and vastly improved ball skills to work to his spots and convert over or around his defender. McKie hasn’t lost his role-player spirit, as he’s still relentless in pursuit of the ball with natural instincts for flowing toward the action. Still far from a finished product, his blend of current production and long-term room for growth make for a mighty interesting prospect who should be monitored by high-major programs moving forward.

After watching Julian consistent production throughout the game against Georgetown Prep, it would be difficult to say any negatives about McKie. He did legitimately everything as a focal point for Saint Joseph’s team. Whether creating, setting up others, or applying nonstop scoring pressure from all levels, Julian delivered. He filled it up as a scorer and contained his assignment well defensively. Look for Julien to have a lot of appeal from various next-level coaches. Finished the game against Georgetown Prep in a losing effort with scored 21 points on 3-6 from the 3pt line 8-13 from the 2FG.

This long and athletic hybrid-forward was the talk of Philly HS Live Session I after he averaged 15.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per contest. McKie is a wiry and long hybrid-forward with excellent speed. Thus, he thrives in transition. His ability to finish above the rim or power through contact makes McKie difficult to stop on the fast break. In a half-court game, McKie can knock down jumpers from all over the court, including behind the arc. He can also produce points off the dribble as well as from the dunker spot. Additionally, McKie puts in serious work on the offensive glass. On defense, McKie is a plus rebounder and solid weakside shot blocker.  

During April, this long and athletic hybrid-forward has thrived in the up-tempo style of play on the spring grassroots circuit. As one of the primary options for Team Final 15s, McKie has been able to showcase his full offensive skill set. McKie has destroyed opponents with his transition scoring. He has caused serious match-up issues in the half-court by popping jumpers (including threes) and producing points off the dribble as well as from the dunker spot. Plus, McKie has crashed the offensive glass and then converted on those second chances. On defense, McKie has dominated the boards and triggered fast breaks with his precise outlet passes. 

The breakout technically may have began down the stretch of the season, with McKie really making a splash at the Palestra in Prep’s season-ending semifinal loss, but there’s no doubt the future will be even brighter as the young swingman steps into a marquee role with the departure of an accomplished 2025 class. A natural forward at younger levels, he showed important signs of moving his game out toward the perimeter while developing into a reliable and increasingly confident threat from beyond the arc. Where McKie really shined though was with his energy, athleticism, and instincts across the floor game on both ends, rare for such a young prospect, let alone one with his physical gifts. His physical tools and approach provide a safe floor, but the upside here could be scary as McKie begins to incorporate more of an on-ball skillset in the coming years.

Coming on strong late in the season, the rapidly-developing McKie looks to be among the top long-term prospects in the entire league. His combination of length, athleticism, instincts, and motor gave him a ticket onto the floor from day one, but he was a different player by the new year once he gained confidence in his catch-and-shoot jumper. Coming up the ranks as more of a frontcourt player, the guard skills are slowly but surely starting to round into form while he continues coming into his own physically. With NBA bloodlines and a high developmental ceiling himself, McKie should be in line for a big jump as a sophomore and has already begun catching the eyes of high-major coaches.

For those who have watched St. Joe’s Prep down the stretch of the season, one of the key storylines has been the emergence of the young McKie, but for those unfamiliar it was impossible to miss the youngster’s impact despite the lopsided score in Judge’s favor. Coming off the bench with a strikingly long and lively frame and an energetic bounce in his step, he was a consistent factor on both ends with his length, athleticism, instincts, and motor. He showed his simplistic but wideranging impact as he got out in transition, blocked multiple shots, knocked down a 3, and created extra possessions with his effort. Improving quickly, still just 14 years old, and with high-level bloodlines in his favor, McKie will be tracked closely heading into the grassroots season with the clear potential for high-major recruitment in his future.

McKie is a long and athletic hybrid-forward who has earned minutes at SJP as an important “glue guy”. He is a dominating rebounder, plus defender and makes all the hustle plays. McKie is an underrated shot blocker too. Offensively, McKie can produce points via dives to the cup and the offensive glass as well as out of pick-n-roll action. He is also comfortable operating in the dunker spot. During his freshman campaign McKie is contributing 3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Earlier this season he registered 6 points and 12 rebounds against Campbell Hall (CA).