Hopkinsville, KY – I have been covering the grind session for over 10 years now, and from top to bottom, this may be the most total talent they have ever assembled. Just this past weekend, this not being considered the league’s top tear teams, the talent was superb. There was division talent all in the gym, and quite a few of them I consider high major.
2026 Santonio Waide PG (Trinity Prep)
He may be diminutive in size, but he’s tough as nails and he’s a great ball defender. He plays great during crunch time. Time. He makes big shots. He makes his teammates better, and this past weekend he literally put the team on his back.
2025 Hunter Carter PG (Rosemary Academy)
University of Hawaii is definitely getting a steal in Hunter. He’s a 6’6” guard that can do it all: he can play three positions. He has NBA range and he’s a very effective player when he plays downhill. He sees the court well and he also put his team on his back this past weekend.
2025 Kruze McClure PG (St John’s DME)
He’s a very skilled long point guard that plays with good pace and seizes the whole floor. He can score in bunches, but he’s better setting up his teammates. He gets in the paint and can get to the rim, but has problems handling contact and finishing. Once he gets stronger, his game will take off.
2025 Caleb Cameron G (Wilson Prep)
He’s a tough combo guard that is one of the biggest sleepers in his class. His strength is his versatility and his ability to make big shots. It was my first time seeing Wilson ever, and I was highly impressed with how he led the team.
2026 Willie Burnet CG (West Oaks)
Is there a better prolific scorer in the 26th class? I love to see it. This guy can score bunches and score on anybody. He was at a disadvantage this weekend because he also had to play some lead guard in it, and it took away from his rhythm. He got caught, forcing some shots that he normally doesn’t take, but he put West Oak on his back many times this past weekend.
2026 Marcis Ponder C (West Oaks)
This was the best I’ve seen this big man play in a while. His energy was incredible. His aggressiveness on the backboard on both ends was nonstop. The way he contested shots and blocked shots was where I was impressed. The most I can tell. He’s been working on getting in shape because he sustained that most of the game. If he continues playing like this, the potential we all saw will finally be lived up to.
2025 Josiah Sanders PG (Colorado Prep)
He’s a big, strong guard that was a problem all weekend. He seemed to get to the basket and absorb contact and finish. His physicality is what sets the tone for his game. He has very good core vision and surprised me with his ability to knock down the three. He was also physical and aggressive on the defensive end.
2025 Tyler Lucas G (Victory Rock Prep)
I don’t know what the ceiling is, but he’s one heck of a high school basketball player. He can score all three levels, and he could score bunches. He made big shots at the big shots, and if it wasn’t for him, I don’t know how much his team competed some of the threes he made were for 5 feet behind the arc.
2026 Kaleel Sutton-White PG (Iowa United Prep)
I had heard of Iowa United and all the players they had coming in with all the fanfare. This kid’s name wasn’t on that list for the success of this year’s program. He may be the most important player; the way he controlled the tempo, got players involved, made the right plays, and made the right decisions. He definitely was an extension of one of the best IQ point guards I’ve seen in college, his coach, Iowa great Dean Oliver. He was one of the main reasons they won the play tournament.
2026 Arafan Diane C (Iowa United Prep)
I had heard a lot about the big fellow, and after the first time watching them, I have to admit I had a few questions. He put up good numbers, but I just didn’t see what everybody was talking about. Well, guess what? After the weekend, I need to apologize to the big fellow for his age. His footwork was great. His energy was on point. The way he attacked the glass on both ends was fun to watch. The way he communicated with his teammates was also enjoyable. There’s a lot of room for this young man to grow, and it’s gonna be a pleasure watching his journey.
2028 Culen Browne 6’3 CG (Wilson Academy)
This player was definitely on my watchlist to see. I heard he was one of the best freshmen in the country, and I definitely left impressed. I love how he played poised and under control. He didn’t get sped up. He worked his way for his shots. I was very impressed with his mid-range and his ability to make space.
2026 Franck Belibi Jr. 6’4 SG (Colorado Prep)
He’s a strong physical guard that does most of his damage playing downhill and attacking the basket when he can run off a whole bunch of points. He has no problem with contact and finishing through it. He’s good at creating his own shot, and so he can knock down the ball when contested. He’s a physical ball defender.
2026 Samuel Moingazo 6’10 C (Iowa United Prep)
I know, Arafan gets most of fanfare, but Samuel can play. He’s very mobile and active around the basket. He held his own when being caught on switches. He’s also good at contesting and blocking shots. He has nice touch from mid range and decent post move. I like to see him just get a little more physical and aggressive. I really like the way he runs the floor. Look forward to watching his development.
Other notables players:
2025 Paulo Kiffen Teixeira SG (West Oaks Academy)
2025 Tamiel Green 7′ C (Wilson Academy)
2025 Jalyn Patterson 5’9 PG (MN Prep))
2026 Letrevion Fenderson 6’5 WF (St John’s DME Basketball Academy)
2025 Diggy Griffin 6’5 WF (Rosemary Anderson Prep)
2025 Quincy Byas 6’6 SG/WF (Rosemary Anderson Prep)