The Greensboro Day Live Period brought plenty of established talent into the building, but some of the younger prospects made it difficult to focus only on the older guys. These players are still early in their high school careers, yet each already showed traits that translate well beyond their age group. Whether it was size, skill, athleticism, production, or simply looking far too comfortable against older competition, this group gave college coaches several names to begin tracking now rather than later. Here are five underclassmen who stood out during the first NCISAA Live Period:

Grant Duggins - Greensboro Day - 2029

Grant Duggins is a five-star prospect, and it does not take very long to understand why. The appeal is simply there. At 6’10, Duggins has the length of a true frontcourt player but operates with the comfort, coordination, and skill of a wing. He can put the ball on the floor, attack open space, make shots from the perimeter, and process the game without looking rushed. Most players his size are still trying to organize all their limbs. Duggins is already using his to make plays. What separates him is how naturally everything comes together. He does not need to dominate the ball to affect the game, but he can create when asked. He runs the floor, finishes around the basket, rebounds outside his area, and has the touch to score from multiple levels. His length allows him to release shots over defenders, while his handle and footwork give him ways to attack slower frontcourt players. Duggins also possesses an advanced feel for his age. He understands spacing, sees cutters, and rarely appears sped up when defenders close space. There are moments when he looks like a long-term wing, others when he looks like a skilled four, and several where trying to place a traditional position beside his name feels unnecessary. Greensboro Day already has one of the deepest rosters in the country, yet Duggins continues to stand out within that structure. His combination of size, skill, feel, and long-term versatility gives him one of the highest ceilings in the 2029 class. The five-star label is not based solely on projection. He already shows why it is attached to his name.

Ayo Awosanya - Charlotte Christian - 2029

Ayo Awosanya enters a new situation at Charlotte Christian after reclassifying into the 2029 class, and the move should give him an opportunity to take on an even more prominent role. Awosanya already produced at a high level during his time at Myers Park, but his game appears built for continued growth. He is a strong, physical wing who attacks the basket with real intent. Once he gets downhill, defenders are usually choosing between absorbing contact or moving out of the way. Neither option sounds especially enjoyable. At 6’6, Awosanya uses his frame extremely well. He can overpower smaller defenders, finish through contact, and create scoring opportunities without needing a complicated series of moves. His first step and strength allow him to gain an advantage quickly, while his athleticism helps him finish above or around length at the rim. He also brings value beyond scoring. Awosanya rebounds well from the wing, can defend different positional matchups, and provides physicality that impacts the flow of a game. He plays with confidence, competes on both ends, and has the tools to become a matchup problem as his perimeter skill continues developing. Charlotte Christian should allow him to grow into a larger offensive and leadership role. With more responsibility and another year to sharpen his handle, shooting, and decision-making, Awosanya could be positioned for an even stronger season than the one he put together at Myers Park. There should not be much debate about his standing within the class. Awosanya is undoubtedly one of the best 2029 prospects in North Carolina, and his combination of size, strength, athleticism, and production makes him one of the most difficult young wings in the state to contain.

Jeremiah Thomas - Forsyth Country Day - 2029

Jeremiah Thomas recently transferred to Forsyth Country Day, joining a program that has established a recent history of winning. Based on his showing during the Live Period, the adjustment period appears to have lasted approximately five minutes. Thomas fit seamlessly into the offense because his game does not require constant touches or excessive dribbling to produce. He understands how to cut, relocate, run the floor, and put himself in positions where one quick decision can turn into points. That ability is extremely valuable on a talented team because he does not have to interrupt the flow of the offense to make an impact. At 6’5, Thomas brings positional size, scoring instincts, and sneaky athleticism. He can finish above the rim when given space, but his athleticism does not always announce itself before the play. One moment he is quietly filling a lane, and the next he is finishing at the basket before the defense has fully realized what happened. Thomas is effective in transition, moves well without the ball, and can score from different areas of the floor. He does not need several setup dribbles to find his rhythm. He can catch and attack, finish plays created by others, or quickly rise into a shot when defenders give him space. His efficiency may be the most appealing part of his game. Thomas does not appear interested in wasting possessions. He finds simple ways to produce, takes advantage of defensive mistakes, and keeps the offense moving when his own opportunity is not available. Forsyth Country Day should provide him with a strong platform to continue developing. His size, athleticism, scoring versatility, and ability to fit alongside other talented players make him an excellent addition to a program looking to continue winning.

Peyton Fogle - Greenfield - 2029

Peyton Fogle is stepping into a starting role for Greenfield, and the opportunity should allow his full skill set to become much more visible. Fogle is a long, fluid guard/wing who brings legitimate two-way versatility at 6’6. He moves well in open space, has the length to bother opponents defensively, and possesses the offensive tools to score at all three levels. His game is not built around one overwhelming trait. Instead, he consistently gives Greenfield something useful in several different areas. Offensively, Fogle can attack closeouts, finish in transition, make shots from the perimeter, and use his size to score over smaller defenders. He is comfortable operating as a secondary creator and does a good job of playing off the attention generated by the other talented players around him. His length and mobility create real defensive upside. Fogle can guard along the perimeter, recover into plays, contest shots, and use his frame to help on the glass. He is the type of player who can turn a defensive stop into offense quickly because he is comfortable grabbing a rebound and immediately pushing the ball ahead. There is also an energy component to his game that should help him in a larger role. Fogle runs the floor, stays active away from the ball, and does not need every possession designed around him to remain involved. That allows him to complement Greenfield’s primary scorers while still finding enough opportunities to produce himself. As his confidence and responsibilities grow, Fogle has the tools to emerge as a serious prospect within North Carolina’s 2029 class. A 6’6 wing who can shoot, handle, defend, rebound, and contribute without stopping the offense is always going to be valuable. Now he has the platform to prove just how valuable he can become.

Grant McGee - Carmel Christian - 2030

Grant McGee was the best freshman I saw on display during the Live Period.

At 6’6, McGee already owns the type of physical and athletic tools that immediately separate him from most players his age. He is long, explosive, confident, and plays with more strength than his frame initially suggests. The freshman label may be technically accurate, but his game does not exactly ask permission before competing with older players. McGee is at his best when attacking space. He has a quick first step, an effective rip-through, and the burst to get downhill before defenders can properly square him up. Once he turns the corner, his length and athleticism allow him to cover ground quickly and finish at the basket. He is also active on the glass and does a good job of using his physical tools beyond scoring. McGee can rebound outside his immediate area, run the floor, and create extra possessions with effort. Defensively, his length gives him the potential to guard multiple positions and disrupt plays even when he is not directly matched with the ball. The confidence may have been just as impressive as the athleticism. McGee did not look overwhelmed by the setting or the older competition. He attacked opportunities, played aggressively, and carried himself like someone who already understands that he belongs on the floor. There is still plenty of development ahead, as there should be for any 2030 prospect, but the foundation is extremely exciting. McGee has positional size, explosive athleticism, growing perimeter ability, and a willingness to compete physically. As his handle, shooting, and overall decision-making continue to mature, his ceiling could rise very quickly. For now, he is already one of the earliest names to know in North Carolina’s 2030 class. The freshman class is barely getting started, and McGee has apparently decided patience is optional.