The 2022 grassroots season has come to a close and we are now slowly heading into the 2022-2023 high school season. Last month, college coaches and NBA scouts were able to appear in some of events to spectate some of the best prospects in the country in all different locations. Some prospects had some stock-boosting performances throughout the month of July and here we take a look at which prospects had the biggest stock boost last month.
2023 PG Layden Blocker (Sunrise Christian, KS) – The Arkansas native and commit, Layden Blocker, put the nation on noticed throughout the grassroots season with Brad Beal Elite (MO) in the Nike EYBL, especially during the month of July. Blocker, a 6-foot-3 point guard, is coming off an outstanding junior season with powerhouse Sunrise Christian. He played with a chip on his shoulder over the last few months, proving he belongs in the conversation as one of the top point guards in the country. He holds elite athleticism, has shown he is capable of knocking down jumpers, a gritty defender, competes at a high level, and has showcased his point guard skills making the right reads. Blocker certainly boosted his stock last month during the last live periods.
2023 F Drew Fielder (So. Cal. Academy, CA) – Coming off injury, which kept him out most of the high school season during his junior year, Drew Fielder definitely boosted his stock throughout last month and showing college coaches his overall skill set. The 6-foot-10 forward received multiple offers over the last few weeks and deservingly so. He plays with great energy on the floor, showcased his versatility on both ends, plays with toughness, and can be an excellent rebounder. Fielder will be looking to prove more to the nation coming into his senior season on the national stage.
2023 F T.J. Power (Worchester Academy, MA) – The blue bloods schools like Kansas, Duke, North Carolina, and UCLA all took notice of 6-foot-8 T.J. Power last month and rightfully so. Power is an extremely skilled prospect for his size and has multiple schools interested currently. His ability to be a floor spacer at the next level with his knockdown perimeter shooting is one of his only elite aspects of his game. He has the ability to create his own shot, can also be an effective rebounder, and seems to always make great decisions with the ball in his hands. Power has definitely been one of the biggest stock boosters in the 2023 class and deservingly so.
2024 C Flory Bidunga (Kokomo, IN) – When we are talking about some of the best big men in the country regardless of class, Flory Bidunga’s name should automatically enter the conversation. The 6-foot-10 big man had himself a phenomenal grassroots season with Indiana Elite (IN) in the Adidas 3SSB Circuit. He is an elite force in the paint and has just began learning the game of basketball. Flory’s best skill comes within the paint and is an impactful prospect on both ends of the floor. He is an outstanding rim protector, holds great hands, a lob threat, a powerful finisher, and has a springy bounce to him. Bidunga runs the floor extremely well, has an already next level frame, and holds the next level athleticism that has college coaches drooling over him.
2023 PG Jaland Lowe (Ft. Bend Marshall, TX) – Jaland Lowe put the nation on notice last month after his dominate run in the Nike EYBL Peach Jam in North Augusta. The 6-foot-2 point guard played like he had something to prove and led Houston Hoops (TX) to another final four. Jaland certainly did prove a lot to the national media and college coaches over the last few months. He is a crafty lefty point guard that plays with a quick twitch. He is able to hit shots, make his way to the rim consistently, holds an elite ability finishing at the rim, and creates so many scoring opportunities for his teammates. Lowe is the definition of an actual point guard and shows elite floor general skills.
2023 G Elmarko Jackson (South Kent, CT) – Elmarko Jackson put the nation, national media, and college coaches on notice throughout the grassroots season and was certainly one of the biggest stock-boosters in the month of July. Jackson is a 6-foot-3 athletic guard who brings the energy for his team consistently when he is on the floor. He is a high motor prospect, a physical driver attacking the rim, plays with elite competitiveness, capable of knocking down jumpers, and has an nice looking pull up game. The rising senior has earned multiple interest and offers recently and should receive much more attention.
2025 F Cooper Flagg (Montverde Academy, FL) – Cooper Flagg might already be considered the number one prospect in the 2025 class, but I feel like the nation has noticed his skills and abilities much more during the month of July. Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward out of Maine, recently helped the U17 USA World Cup team secure a gold medal out in Spain. NBA scouts are already keeping eyes on him as he develops over the next few years. His skillset is out of this world and Cooper can basically do it all at high level. The young prospect has showcased his elite defensive instincts, shot-blocking skills, shot making abilities, and high IQ. The month of July has been huge for him as he is expected to attend powerhouse Montverde Academy (FL) next season.
2024 PG Dylan Harper (Don Bosco Prep, NJ) – Dylan Harper did not have as much buzz coming into the grassroots season back in March but has certainly earned some respect after leading the NY Rens 16s to the Nike EYBL Peach Jam title game last month. Harper sits at 6-foot-6 and runs the point guard position. He plays with so much poise and has a nice pace to his game. At his size, he is able to utilize it against most of his defenders. Harper is able to force his way to the rim, drawing fouls consistently, capable of hitting three point shots, and makes some pretty nice reads out of pick and rolls. He obviously fits the big guard description and high major college programs have already offered and shown interest since the beginning of July.
2023 F J.P. Estrella (Brewster Academy, NH) – J.P. Estrella had an outstanding eye-opening month of July and really overall grassroots season running with Middlesex Magic (NE) in the UAA Circuit. He certainly has caught the eyes of NBA scouts and personnel with his play on the floor. He is a 6-foot-11 stretch big that is capable of doing multiple things when on the floor. He fits the modern NBA game today with his ability to stretch the floor and his perimeter shooting. J.P. has nice length that helps him secure rebounds consistently and be a rim protector as well for his team. He runs the floor at a good rate, finishes plays around the rim, and just has a terrific package of versatile skills with his size.
2023 SG Bronny James (Sierra Canyon, CA) – Bronny James Jr. is finally coming into his senior season at Sierra Canyon High School. He definitely showed improvement in his game during the month of July, having a very eye-opening Nike Peach Jam week. James holds positional size, showcased his versatility at the guard position, ability to score in a variety of ways, and elite athleticism. The 6-foot-3 guard also has a very high IQ and just knows how to make good decisions with the basketball in his hand, whether he is looking to score or make a play for his teammates. Bronny also showcased his engaged defensive instincts and could be an elite asset at the next level.
The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines 