Part II of my recap from The War Before The Storm in Fort Worth, Texas held last weekend highlights the 2027 prospects (rising juniors for the 2025-26 season). In this group, I saw a little more than a handful of Top 100 level talents and potential 5 Star recruits. Let’s dive right in.
AB Elite Is Rolling!
AB Elite 16U was clicking on all cylinders as the club moved the ball well and fast, made jumpers and blended their shot diet of attempts from beyond the arc and at the rim. Beckham Black, who led Duncanville (Texas) to the UIL Class 6A state crown and a Top 25 FAB 50 ranking, was fantastic here and was the best guard overall at the gym.
Black has a super high feel for the game and knows how to manipulate defenses. He’s a good off-ball screener and can win a game with his passing and scoring. I feel Black has improved as an isolation scorer. He doesn’t have crazy blow by speed, but he knows how to change speeds and direction well to keep the defender off balance. He’s one of the best 2027 guards in the country.
Marri Wesley was a man amongst boys this past weekend, embracing and finishing through contact with ease. He’s also a matchup issue due to his handle, improved shooting and finishing capabilities. The UIL Class 4A D1 State Tourney MVP, Wesley has made a strong case as a top 100 player nationally.
Shooting guard Brayden Williams was productive as well. Efficient as a spot-up threat and he made finishes above the rim off lobs or when he attacked a closeout. Williams moves well without the ball and makes defenders pay when given space to shoot.
Xander Pruzinski has improved over the past year. The forward out of Frisco Memorial showed good vertical pop, as he rebounded and finished above the rim. His motor and ability to play through physicality better has allowed Pruzinski to impact games in longer stretches.
Dawson Battie Will Stay In The 5 Star Convo
There was a lot of buzz in the Metroplex when Dawson Battie announced he was going to play for YGC Pro16 this club season. Ranked 24th on ESPN for the 2027 class, Dawson made a case in Fort Worth to climb up the ladder. His jumper has noticeably improved, as he was making spot up threes vs. hard contests and his mechanics looked more refined. Battie has added muscle to his frame, which allows him to play through contact better. Seriously, this was one of the most complete outings I’ve seen of Battie and if he can continue to shoot it at a high efficiency, he will see his stock climb.
Weekend Review: Reese Alston
Alston was dynamic with the ball in his hands and generated a lot of attention. He knows how to draw fouls and get to the foul line. Once he drives and has the defender on his hip, he has an array of ways to keep the defender at a disadvantage in which they have no choice but to foul.
Alston takes risks with his passes which is fine. Sometimes they don’t pan out, but he sees the floor well and can thread the ball in tight spaces. More on the streaky side as a 3-point shooter but once shots start falling, he’s a very tough cover because he can get to the rim at ease as well. Reese has a high feel for the game and knows when he needs to be more assertive as a scorer or when to share the wealth. The TAPPS Class 4A MVP and state champion, the son of former NBA guard Rafer Alston continues to build a strong resume for himself and a no brainer Top 50 player.
Event Stock Risers
Drew Guy, 6’5 CG (Texas Impact 4:13 UAA 17U)Talented guard prospect that played as a primary and secondary ball-handler. He can turn the corner and get to the rim, shoot it off the catch and utilizes his long-arms on finishes. There’s upside as a playmaker and I’ve seen Guy make accurate passes with either hand. He’s a high major prospect that will have a chance to be a top 100 player by summer’s end.
Avery Moses, 6’4 CG (Southern Assault 3SSB 16U)A guard prospect with good positional size. Moses played well off the dribble and knows how to get where he wants with the ball. His change of speed and quickness, especially at his height, is impressive. His outing vs Gulf Coast Blue Chips was an eye opener, but I felt all three games in Fort Worth showcased his scoring and individual defense prowess. Another kid that will be on the radar of high major programs.
Armani Green, 6’4 Wing (Max Levels P32 16U)Strong and aggressive driver that attacks with either hand effectively. Green’s motor stayed on and because he embraced contact so well, he executed on “And 1” opportunities several times. A no-brainer D1 prospect. One to keep tabs of going forward.
David Balleraine, 6’9 C (Southern Assault 3SSB 16U)A modern rim-protecting beast that’s a play finisher and lob threat. His skills as a face-up threat are growing, but his ability to finish high above the rim and swat shots at an elite level stands out the most.
Jeremiah Thirdkill, 6’4 Wing (Max Levels P32 16U)Two-guard with long arms and adequate vertical pop. Thirdkill is an effortless leaper that plays with an edge about him. Shoots it well off the catch and capable connecting shots off the bounce. Doesn’t look like he’s done growing, either.
More Standouts
Kavian Bryant, 6’2 PG (Southern Assault 3SSB 16U)A star dual sport athlete (Grid-Hoop), Bryant is a pure bucket getter. Only played on Sunday but that one game showed how dynamic of a scoring threat he is. Putting the ball through the hole came off effortlessly and he looks to have grown, height wise, since I last saw him in the fall.
Payton Jones, 6’1 PG (Gulf Coast BlueChips UAA 16U)Hyper-competitive guard is a regular visitor of the paint. Jones also made defenders pay that gave too much space by connecting on triples. I really liked his motor and toughness blended with the skillset.
Isaak Hayes, 5’9 PG (Max Levels P32 16U)Crafty guard, albeit on the small side, is a very tough cover. Made deep threes, knows how to get to his spots and sees the floor well in transition. Kicks the ball up ahead and makes accurate cross court passes.
Jonathan Bradley, 6’0 PG (ASAK Elite 3SSB 16U)Long-armed lead guard that has an array of finishing options vs length. Bradley changes speeds well and is an adequate pull-up shooter. He’s not the fastest with the ball and he doesn’t have crazy bounce, but he has a knack of getting to his spots and keeping the defender honest.
Elijah Coppock, 6’4 Wing (Ballers Nation NTX Pro 17U)Long-term wing prospect whose best basketball is ahead of him. Having grown close to 3-4 inches in little over a year, I do think E.J. will see another growth spurt before his high school career is over. An efficient 3-point shooter that’s playing up at the 17U level, Coppock had moments last weekend that showed he can be a D1 prospect down the road. Tools are there.
Jeremiah Grigsby, 6’4 PG (Dallas Showtyme UA Rise 17U)Another guard that played up at the 17U level. He’s a string-beaned, shifty guard that has a lot of upside. Really creates space with his crossovers and can stop on a dime and launch. A very willing passer too, once he can constantly play with a lower center of gravity, Grigsby can be a more efficient player.
Amir Bryant, 6’6 Forward (Cooz Elite Pro16U 16U)High motor, long-armed athlete that flies up and down the court. Bryant’s skillset will catch up to his athleticism eventually but he just has a nose for the ball. A winner of 50-50 opportunities and in the right spot to grab an offensive or defensive rebound. Very athletic player that doesn’t need a play drawn for him to make an impact offensively.
Deuce Hunt Jr, 6’0 CG (YGC Pro16 16U)Deuce was just okay, at best, to be honest vs. AB Elite, but I thought he finished out the weekend very strong. Also, it’s a March club tournament…. it’s not that serious. A scoring guard that can be lethal in doses as he can really make shots off the bounce. Hunt has deep range on his jumper, but it’s the pull-up shooting that impressed me the most. This club season will be one where we see Deuce on the ball more and be challenged to make others around him better so we will keep track of that.
