Day 1 brought a lot of talent into the building, but a few guys made it hard not to take notice. Whether it was high-level shot-making, motor, physicality, playmaking, or just the way they impacted winning, these players separated themselves early. Some were already names I had been tracking, while others made strong first impressions and gave me a reason to keep watching closely moving forward.

Here are my Day 1 standouts.

Braxten Dubose - AWigg Elite - 2028

Coming off a NCISAA 2A state championship season with Greenfield, Braxten Dubose continues to be a player that catches my eye. At first glance, he’s not always the player you assume he is. He has a quiet presence early, but the more you watch, the more you start to realize how much value he brings. Dubose does a lot of things that translate. He plays with patience, understands spacing, and finds ways to make the game easier for himself without needing to dominate the ball. What stands out most is how comfortable he looks letting the game come to him. He can score when needed, make quick decisions, and use his frame to play through contact. There’s a smoothness to his game that grows on you as the game goes on.

Kasyn Chase - Warriors Life Elite OTR - 2027

Kasyn Chase is electrifying to watch. There are certain players who can completely change the energy of a game, and Chase is one of them. When he gets into a rhythm from three, the gym starts to feel it. He has a quick, smooth release, gets it off with confidence, and does not need much time or space to make defenses pay. What I really like is that his shot-making does not take away from the rest of his game. He still plays with intensity defensively, controls the ball, and competes every possession. Once he starts seeing shots fall, he turns it up even more on the other end. That makes him the type of player you hate to play against. Chase brings confidence, toughness, and pace. He can hurt you as a shooter, but he also brings enough energy and defensive pressure to impact the game even when he is not scoring. 

Ethan Ofori - CC Elite - 2028

Ethan Ofori is your typical big man in the best way. He plays with physicality and fully embraces that part of his game. Ofori does not shy away from contact. He looks to carve out space, seal defenders, and get deep positioning where he can finish strong. He understands where he needs to be around the rim and makes himself available. What stood out was how reliable he was around the dunker spot. He is always ready to catch the ball, keeps his hands ready, and has a nice touch once he gets it inside. He does a good job using his body to protect the ball and finish through traffic. Ofori gives CC Elite a real interior presence. He rebounds, battles, and makes defenders work every possession. 

Jackson Reed - Charlotte Aces OTR - 2028

Jackson Reed continues to look like one of the more intriguing long-term pieces in the building. Reed has the size, mobility, and activity that immediately make you want to keep watching. He runs the floor well, covers ground, and has the ability to impact the game without needing a ton of touches. At 6’6, his movement and versatility stand out. He brings value around the rim, but there is more to his game than just size. Reed can be used in different spots, defend multiple areas, and give his team flexibility with lineups. He plays with good energy and continues to show flashes of what he can become as his skill set keeps developing. The upside is what makes him interesting. The tools are there, and as he continues to add strength, polish, and consistency, he has a chance to become a serious name in the 2028 class. Reed is definitely one to keep tracking.

Jaleek Parson - Warriors Life Elite Parson OTR - 2028

Jaleek Parson plays like someone with the remote in his hand. He has real flair to his game. The way he changes speeds, controls pace, and creates angles makes him fun to watch. Parson has that creative guard feel where you can tell he is comfortable making plays in different ways. He does not play robotic. He plays with personality, and his team feeds off that. What stands out is how well he can manipulate the game. He can get downhill, create separation, and make defenders react to him.  Whether it is a quick burst, a change of direction, or a creative pass, he has ways to keep the defense uncomfortable. He has the ability to create for himself, but also understands how to get others involved. Guards with flair can sometimes overdo it, but Parson shows enough control to make his style effective.

Drew Neve - Dub Salem - 2027

Every possession feels like it matters when you watch Drew Neve. He plays like his motor is stuck in fifth gear. He is the type of player coaches love because the effort is never a question. Neve does not take possessions off. He runs the floor, competes on the glass, finishes through contact, and brings constant activity on both ends. Every team needs a player who can raise the energy level, and Neve does that. What makes him more valuable is that he is not just an energy guy. He has skill to go with it. Neve can play inside and outside, finish strong around the rim, and knock down shots. That shooting ability gives his game another layer and makes him harder to guard. His motor, toughness, and ability to space the floor make him a really useful piece for Dub Salem. He impacts winning because he does the things that do not always show up immediately, while still having the skill to produce offensively. Neve is a player I would want on my team.

Jeremiah Moore - Garner Road-Whitley - 2030
Jeremiah Moore is mature beyond his years. For a 2030 guard, the way he carries himself on the floor is impressive. Moore does not look sped up. He handles pressure well, controls the ball, and understands how to set the tempo. That kind of poise at a young age is not common. Athletically and skill-wise, there is a lot to like. Moore is sneakily explosive, can get downhill, and has the ability to score at all three levels. He knows how to pick his spots and does not force himself into bad possessions. When he attacks, it feels controlled. When he creates, it feels natural. The biggest thing with Moore is the decision-making. He already shows a strong feel for when to score and when to make the right play. That balance is what separates young guards. With his size, skill, and maturity, Moore is a player that should continue to trend upward.

Ryan Roberts - Grassroots NC - 2027

Ryan Roberts was the best scorer I saw in the building Saturday. Roberts put on a 31-point clinic and showed the full scoring package. He scored from all three levels, and what made it impressive was how controlled everything looked. It never felt like he was forcing shots. He just kept finding ways to get to his spots and convert. He was comfortable shooting off the catch, creating off the bounce, and attacking closeouts. When defenders gave him space, he made them pay. When they pressed up, he had the ability to get downhill and finish. That balance made him a tough cover all game. What stood out most was the confidence. Roberts played like a go-to scorer and delivered like one. Every time Grassroots NC needed a bucket, he had an answer. His shot-making, pace, and ability to score in different ways made him one of the clear standouts from Day 1.