We are officially at the midway point in the Grassroots season, where we will be highlighting our top players to watch in each class as we approach the high school Live Periods later this month. Here are 10 (ten) additional players to know in the upcoming senior class:
6-8 PF Solomon Bratton, Milton (GA), JET Academy EYBL 17U
The 6-foot-8 rising senior power forward is a long and wiry athlete who can excel in the open court, whether it’s finishing lobs or the ability to stretch the floor, knocking down shots from the perimeter. He has a strong and versatile skill set on the defensive end, where he can guard multiple positions and snatch down timely rebounds with his wingspan reaching over 7 feet. Bratton is receiving interest from several Power 4 schools and could be an emerging target for college coaches as the summer Live Period approaches.
6-0 PG Gavin Reed, Coral Glades (FL), Team Gold Coast 17U
Reed is an emerging prospect with a high IQ from the lead guard position. On offense, he is a proven scorer as well as a facilitator when going against bigger opponents. On defense, he can be a pest when guarding the passing lanes as well as applying heavy pressure on opposing ball-handlers. He is also rated as an above-average rebounder for his size where he can dictate tempo in transition scoring opportunities.
6-6 SG RJ Moore, Ambassador Christian (NC), Garner Road Basketball 3SSB 17U
The 6-foot-6 rising senior two-way guard is emerging as one of the top prospects not just in the state of North Carolina, but in the entire country. Moore displays a ton of confidence in his overall game, where he has proved himself to be an effective scorer across all three levels. He is lethal when it comes to catch-and-shoot scoring opportunities and can be a tough matchup to cover with his length on both ends of the floor. Moore has expressed interest from several Power 4 schools such as Alabama, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Michigan, and several others.
6-1 PG King Kendrick, Caldwell Academy (NC), Team CP3 EYBL 17U
The 6-foot-1 rising senior point guard has strong intangibles when the basketball is in his hands, where he can excel in a variety of ways. The ability to change speed and direction on the offensive end says a lot about his game on the offensive end. He has a quick first step to get by the defense, excelling in attacking downhill or with his pull-up mid-range game, and continues to impress with his overall court vision and facilitating as well.
6-9 PF Nolan Nelson, Providence (FL), Austin Rivers SE Elite 3SSB 17U
The 6-foot-9 rising senior power forward has a versatile scoring arsenal that allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways. On offense, he can score with his jump shot as well as take advantage of mismatches where he can finish above the rim. His footwork, patience, and confidence in his mid-range game have also taken huge strides in his overall offensive game. On the defensive end, he is active on the glass and rebounds well at a high level. His overall two-way playmaking presence could open up doors for a lot of college coaches to continue recruiting him as the summer Live Period approaches.
6-5 SG Chase Lumpkin, McEachern (GA), JET Academy EYBL 17U
The 6-foot-5 rising senior guard has established himself as one of the top scorers in the Peach State. On the offensive end, he consistently applies pressure on the defense where he can knock down catch-and-shoot opportunities when defenses helped off him, forcing closeouts to recover and opening up driving lanes, while also creating his own offense off the dribble when possessions stall or matchups become favorable for him. Lumpkin was effective in getting separation to generate clean looks against tight coverage, and he showed comfort finishing at the rim through contact, using his length and frame to his advantage.
6-6 SF Joshua Leonard, Wilson (SC), Upward Stars Columbia 3SSB 17U
The 6-foot-6 rising senior small forward has drawn national attention this spring, where his high motor is what stands out. On offense, he utilizes his strength and length to his advantage, where he is unafraid when it comes to finishing around the rim while absorbing contact. Defensively, he takes advantage when it comes to applying pressure in the passing gaps as well as being an above-average rebounder for his size.
6-11 PF Lewis Uvwo, Prolific Prep (FL), Nightrydas Elite EYBL 17U
The 6-foot-11 rising senior power forward is one of the nation’s elite shot blockers, where he uses his length and athleticism on all three levels. On offense, he has a smooth handle and plays with a high IQ where he can operate around the rim as well as growing confidence in becoming a threat to shoot from the mid-range as well as the perimeter. Uvwo has heard from the following schools: Kentucky, Miami, USC, Oklahoma, Syracuse, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Arkansas, and several others. The Top-50 overall ranked prospect will be a name to keep track as he heads into his senior season.
6-1 CG Ty Cobb, Upperman (TN), STARS Basketball Nashville 17U
The 6-foot-1 rising senior combo guard and Liberty University commit is a shot creator and excels at getting his teammates involved on the offensive end. He was a part of a program that reached the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Class 3A Final Four as a freshman and also helped his AAU program win the UA National Championship, so he is a proven winner. He continues to evolve his overall game where he will transition himself into being a four-year starter at the varsity level.
6-2 PG Cayden Daughtry, Calvary Christian Academy (FL), Florida Rebels EYBL 17U
The 6-foot-2 rising senior point guard continues to operate and extend his offensive game, where he is consistently applying pressure on the defense. His outside shooting ability sets the tone, as well as adding a mix where he can get downhill, dishing off to teammates, and finishing above the rim while absorbing contact. He also adds strong rebounding intangibles to go along with his scoring and playmaking attributes as he pushes the tempo and plays under control in transition scoring opportunities. He is a proven winner, having helped lead his school team to back-to-back state championships.