Carolina Havoc was fillet with talent. 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.

Owen Hancock - Dub Salem - 2027

I recently said I’m getting tired of writing about Owen Hancock, because every time I see him, he shoots the ball like it’s nothing. Then he went out and had a 39-point performance Saturday night, including 12 threes. At some point, you just have to ask how many kids are putting up those numbers consistently. Hancock’s shot-making is not a one-time thing. It feels like every time I watch him, he’s getting to his spots, letting it fly with confidence, and making defenses pay the second they give him any room. What stands out is how easy it looks. His release is quick, smooth, and repeatable. He does not need a lot of space to get it off, and once he sees a few go in, the rhythm starts to feel automatic. He can shoot it off the catch, relocate well, and punish defenders who lose track of him for even a second. The production speaks for itself, but the way he keeps doing it every showing is what makes it even more impressive.

EJ Emuobor -AWigg Elite - 2028

EJ Emuobor is one of the more intriguing pieces with AWigg Elite. His physicality is truly dangerous. There were possessions where once he got downhill, people started moving out of the way. He plays with strength, force, and a level of aggression that makes him hard to contain when he decides to attack. Emuobor is capable of playing the 3-5, but he brings more value than just being a frontcourt body. He finds open spaces, gets himself in position around the rim, and finishes strong through contact. He understands how to use his frame, and when he gets deep positioning, he is tough to deal with. What I like most is how coachable he looks. He plays hard, embraces his role, and still shows flashes of being able to expand his game. The tools are there, and with his physical approach, he has a chance to keep developing into a serious player to monitor.

Michai Sutton - Reidsville Tigers - 2030

Michai Sutton is a young guard with a lot to like. He brings good size, confidence, and activity to the floor. Sutton plays with purpose when attacking, and he has the tools to keep growing as both a scorer and playmaker. He does not look afraid of the moment and showed flashes of being able to impact the game on both ends. Offensively, he can get downhill, make plays in space, and put pressure on the defense. Defensively, he competes and uses his size well at the guard spot. For 2030, the foundation is already there. Sutton is the type of young player you keep tracking because the tools are easy to see. Led his team to a championship victory. As he continues to develop his handle, pace, and decision-making, there is a lot of upside with his game.

Jordan Crowder - Union County Flight - 2027

Jordan Crowder was another name that stood out with Union County Flight. Crowder played with good confidence and brought a steady presence to the floor. He did a nice job staying involved in the action, making plays within the flow, and not forcing much. There is a calmness to his game that stood out, especially with how he picked his spots and found ways to impact possessions. At 6’2, he has good size at the guard spot and uses it well. He can handle the ball, attack gaps, and make the right play when the defense shifts. What I liked was how composed he looked. He did not try to do too much, but still made himself felt when opportunities opened up. Crowder also competed well defensively and gave Union County Flight good energy on both ends. He looks like a player who understands how to stay productive without needing everything to run for him. With his feel, size, and steady approach, he is definitely a name I’ll continue to track moving forward.

Heath Johnson - PSB Barnes - 2027

Heath Johnson continues to look more and more like a college-level player. If you’re not aware of him yet, it might be time. Johnson has been getting more assertive every showing, and his impact around the rim is becoming harder to ignore. He posted a double-double with 5 blocks in Game 1 and showed exactly why he is a name coaches should start tracking. He protects the rim well, finishes around the basket, and gives PSB Barnes a real interior presence. The size is obvious, but the confidence is starting to catch up with the tools. He is not just existing on the floor anymore. He is affecting shots, cleaning up possessions, and making himself felt. Johnson’s development is what makes him intriguing. The more assertive he gets, the more valuable he becomes. With his size, rim protection, and improving presence inside, he has the look of a big who can keep trending upward.

Brendan Hirsch - PSB Dorsey - 2028

Brendan Hirsch has the tools to keep developing into a serious player to monitor. The shot-making is what catches your attention first. Hirsch has great length and uses it well to rise over defenders and get clean looks. He is capable of hitting tough shots, and when he gets comfortable, he can give PSB Dorsey a real scoring presence. But it is not just the offense. His length shows up defensively too. He can contest shots, cover space, and make things difficult with his frame. That combination of shot-making and defensive tools is what makes him interesting long-term. Hirsch still has room to keep growing, but the flashes are clear. With his size, length, and ability to make shots, he is the type of player who becomes more intriguing the more you watch him.