COVID-19 has delayed, cancelled, or pushed back a plethora of national events and tournaments during this past high school season and some states did not even have the chance to play basketball this season. AAU has finally begun for most prospects around the country and with no live periods again this spring, summer, college coaches will have to rely on top sources and live streams to cover some of the elite talent. Below we take a look at which prospects could potentially boost their stock during this grassroots season during the spring, summer season.
2022.G J.J. Starling (La Lumiere, IN) – J.J. Starling is already considered one of the best scorers in the loaded 2022 class and proved that this season in his first year with Indiana powerhouse La Lumiere (IN). Starling moved from out of upstate New York to the national program and it certainly boosted his stock more. The 6-foot-4 combo guard has the ability to score in a variety of ways. He is a crafty finisher, holds a nice quick release on his jump shot, and hit shots from all levels of the floor, and just brings instant scoring when he is on the floor. Starling should be able to continue his stock rise this spring, summer whenever he gets the chance to play. College coaches for sure need to tap in before it is too late. (Currently #57 according to 247sports).
2022 SG Shaedon Sharpe (Dream City Christian, AZ) – After spending last season at powerhouse Sunrise Christian (KS), Shaedon Sharpe took his talents out west to attend top-25 ranked Dream City Christian (AZ). Injuries were back and forth this season for the Canada native. If healthy throughout the season, Sharpe would have boosted his stock a long time ago. He is a 6-foot-5 above the rim playmaking two-guard with elite next level athleticism. Shaedon is an active defender, scores off cuts, and can knockdown shots from the perimeter. He already holds a college ready body and has the physical frame. College coaches have already been tapping in throughout the high school season, but if healthy, Sharpe can really climb the ladder in the national rankings (Currently #71 according to 247sports).
2022 PG Milos Uzan (Prolific Prep, CA) – Milos Uzan might be the most underrated point guard in the loaded 2022 class as we speak. Uzan filled the point guard roles midway through the 2020-2021 high school season for powerhouse Prolific Prep (CA) and did an amazing job running the offense. He is a 6-foot-4 pass first type point guard who plays at his own pace and never seems to be rushed. He is an elite pick and roll playmaker, a fantastic passer, can see plays before others, makes nice reads, and able to hit midrange level shots. Milos will be able to control whatever offense he is in and control the tempo for his team. Definitely stock boost worthy this AAU season. (Currently #129 according to 247sports).
2022 SG Emanuel Sharp (Bishop McLaughlin, FL) – One of the nation’s top scoring guard in the loaded 2022 class, Emanual Sharp, should see his stock continue to boost throughout this spring and summer. Sharp averaged 24.7 points per game this season and leading Bishop McLaughlin (FL) to the FHSAA class 3A state title game. He is a 6-foot-4 big body two-guard with unlimited range from beyond the three point line. Sharp is able to utilize his big body frame to finish inside through traffic, holds a quick release on his jump shot, and create his own offense when he is on the floor. One of the top underrated prospects in his class. Florida, Georgia Tech, Iona, Louisville, Rutgers, and others have offered already. (Currently #114 according to 247sports).
2022 F Josh Reed (Pace Academy, GA) – The 6-foot-6 forward from Pace Academy in Atlanta has been one of the most underrated prospects in the 2022 class. Since October, Reed has received offers from Florida Gulf Coast, Liberty, Xavier, Boston College, Georgia, and Oklahoma State have offered. At 6-foot-6, Josh is a 3-and-D type of prospect and will be an elite role player at any college program he decides to attend. He can space the floor offensively with his outside shooting, an elite on-ball and off-ball defender, holds long arms, and has shown he can score from all levels of the floor. Josh has a been a huge part of Pace Academy’s success this season and helping them capture the GHSA class 2A state championship and reaching a GEICO Nationals appearance. (Currently #126 according to 247sports).
2023 PG Marvel Allen (Calvary Christian, FL) – The 2023 class is filled with a few elite guards already and Marvel Allen is definitely apart of that list. The sophomore guard averaged 14.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 2.0 SPG this past season helping Calvary Christian (FL) capture the FHSAA class 3A state championship. Allen is a 6-foot-4 combo guard running the point guard position. He plays with great toughness, disruptive defender, a shot making guard, holds a nice pull jumper, effective rebounder, and has a nice physical mature body for his age. Marvel should be one of the top names on the market in the 2023 class for college coaches and scouts this spring, summer. (Currently #38 according to 247sports).
Others:
2022 G Roddy Gayle Jr. (Wasatch Academy, UT) (Currently #46 according to 247sports)
2022 G A.J. Smith (Combine Academy, NC) ((Currently unranked according to 247sports)
2022 PG Noah Shelby (Greenhill School, TX) (Currently #104 according to 247sports)
2022 PG Keron Johnson (Garfield, WA) (Currently #65 according to 247sports)
2023 PG Trey Green (Lake Norman Christian, NC) (Currently unranked according to 247sports)
2022 F Noah Clowney (Dorman, SC) (Currently unranked according to 247sports)
2022 SG Chance Westry (Sierra Canyon, CA) (Currently #34 according to 247sports)
The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines 