The spring portion of the AAU season is nearing an end and we are closely heading into the second half of the grassroots season. There has been multiple high level prospects around the country who have boosted their stock over the last couple months. Two NCAA Live periods were scheduled back in April and college coaches, as always, were able to come spectate some of the nation’s top ranked prospects in all classes. Below we take a look at some of the top spring stock-risers from the last few months.
2023 F Zayden High (Smithson Valley) – Zayden High made a statement to start off his Nike EYBL season during the first NCAA Live Period back in the beginning of April, averaging 21.7 PPG 57% FG 29% 3PT 5.5 RPG — through 4 games in Orlando. High came into the grassroots season as a local name out of the state of Texas, that certainly changed after a weekend. He is a 6-foot-10 forward with unnoticeable skills. Zayden has the ability to rebound at a high level, be an elite rim protector, knockdown perimeter shots, finish around the rim, and guard multiple positions. Just ask Texas, Notre Dame, Michigan, Indiana, Creighton, Alabama, Texas Tech, and plenty others schools, who have all offered the rising senior over the last few months since the end of his junior season.
2023 G B.J. Davis (Modesto Christian) – One of the most electric scorers in the 2023 class, B.J. Davis, has been stellar in the Adidas 3SSB with Jalen Green Elite (CA). The 6-foot-2 guard is coming off a state championship run with Modesto Christian (CA) and came into this grassroots season with a chip on his shoulder it seems like. Davis is an elite all-level scoring guard that plays at a high pace, one of the fastest prospects in the country, a crafty slithery finisher, and has terrific shot creating ability. The junior guard has offers from Jacksonville, Pacific, Fresno State, USF, Hawaii, San Jose, and Washington State. USC, Utah, Oregon State, and Gonzaga — have all reached out recently.
2023 F Carey Booth Jr. (Englewood, CO) – Carey Booth has been one of this spring’s biggest stock-risers over the last couple months playing in the UAA with KC Run GMC (KS). The 6-foot-10 forward has received offers from schools like Texas Tech, Colorado State, Northwestern, Xavier, Wake Forest, Marquette, Oklahoma State, Iowa, Cal, and UCSB since the beginning of April. Booth Jr. is an athletic forward with unnoticeable length. His length helps him alternate and/or block shots, has the capability to hit perimeter jump shots, rebounds well, and an able to catch lobs for finishes at the rim. Carey has caught the eyes of college basketball coaches with his terrific skills throughout the spring and should receive much more offers and interest over the next few months into the summer NCAA Live Periods.
2023 G/F Andrej Stojakovic (Jesuit) – Andrej Stojakovic, son of 3x All-Star Peja Stojakovic, has taken the nation by storm since the end of junior season at Jesuit High School in California. The 6-foot-7 guard/forward has been extremely impressive with his play on the court running with Compton Magic (CA). Schools like Kentucky, UCLA, Georgia Tech, Cal, Oregon, Texas, Florida, Kansas, Connecticut, and others have offered over the last two months. Andrej has a good feel for the game, plays at his own pace at all times, able to create his own offense, and consistently makes shots from all levels. As he continues to climb up the national rankings, Stojakovic has turned himself into a “must-see” prospect for college coaches.
2023 F Jaylin Stewart (Garfield, WA) – Jaylin Stewart has blossomed into one of the premiere 2023 prospects in the nation. A guy who stood out during last summer’s Nike Peach Jam, the 6-foot-8 forward has continued his success during his last EYBL run with Seattle Rotary (WA). He is currently averaging 20.6 points per game through two sessions, which is currently number four on the scoring leader board. Stewart is a versatile forward who can score on all levels of the floor for his size. He has a football-like body and able to utilize that frame in situations to create buckets for himself or even his teammates.
2023 SG Jamie Kasier Jr. (Bishop Ireton, VA) – One of the DMV’s top upcoming prospects, Jamie Kasier Jr. has had himself an outstanding last few months during the spring AAU period. Harvard, Utah State, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech have all offered up to this point since the beginning of March. Kaiser Jr. sits at 6-foot-6, once a dual athlete, a strong two-way guard, consistent outside shooter, able to finish at the rim through contact, and plays with high motor. Kaiser also is a nice transition scorer and holds an elite shooting form whenever the ball releases from his palms.
2023 F Arrinten Page (Wheeler, GA) – Around this time last year, Arrinten Page was mostly an unknown and just local prospect out of the state of Georgia. Now schools like LSU, Ole Miss, USC, Alabama, Cincinnati, Missouri, SMU, Georgia, and others have offered the 6-foot-9 forward. It is without question that Arrinten Page is one of this spring’s biggest stock-risers and has proven so through out the last two months. He has shown consistent production in the EYBL through two session with The Skills Factory (GA). Page is a consistent finisher inside, makes his presence defensively, a lob catcher, an athletic forward, and shows some flashes of his offensive versatility. An outstanding pick and roll finisher with a football like frame.
2023 C Xavier Booker (Cathedral, IN) – Xavier Booker has been one of the nation’s top prospects boosting his stock across the country. What is more impressive? He is doing so on a “non” shoe sponsored team running with George Hill’s AAU team out of Indiana. The 6-foot-10 big man has caught buzz over the last few months. Earning offers from schools like Kansas, Michigan State, Miami, Creighton, Missouri, Michigan, and others. He holds long arms and has the versatility offensively for his size being able to pop out and hit perimeter jump shots. Booker has earned his recognition and recently received an invite to the U18 USA Fiba Americas Training Camp later this month.
The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines 