The July live period began this past week and I made my way down south to Rock Hill, South Carolina and North Augusta, South Carolina for the Adidas 3SSB Championships and the final Nike EYBL session before the annual Nike Peach Jam. A plethora of college coaches, NBA personnel, scouts, and high level prospects were all around the gyms over the last few days. Here we can take a look at which prospects were eye-openers and stood out the most throughout my time in the gyms and some long term potential guys.
2026 Tyran Stokes – Tyran Stokes finished the Nike EYBL regular season ranking in the top ten in points, rebounds, and steals. Fresh off of securing his third overall gold medal with USA Basketball just a few days ago, the number one rated prospect in the 2026 class, Tyran Stokes, had himself one hell of a game in his first game back in the states out at North Augusta going for 31 points 64% FG (3/5 from 3PT), 9 boards, and 3 steals in a win that I watched. The 6-foot-7+ do-it-all forward certainly did it all showcasing his talents. He displayed his elite explosiveness, his relentlessness to get downhill attacking the rim utilizing his massive frame, and proven capability to make three’s. Tyran has already been drawing recognition from NBA scouts and personnel for a couple years now. He is an elite competitor and and underrated playmaker as well for his size.
2027 Bruce Branch III – NBA scouts and personnel have been eyeing Bruce Branch III over the last few months and as they should. He is a legit 6-foot-7 wing with elite athleticism, measurements, and length. He holds a 7-foot-1 wingspan and utilizes his long arms to grab rebounds, effect shots, and block shots. His outside shooting ability with his confident shooting stroke might be his strongest asset right now outside of his physical attributes. The rising junior has the 3-and-D archetype that can make him a long term NBA prospect when it’s all said and done.
2027 Marcus Spears Jr. – Coming off of winning his first gold medal with team USA’s U16 last month, Marcus Spears Jr. was an eye-opener during my time in North Augusta. He is the son of former NFL player and current ESPN Analyst, Marcus Spears. Although his Dad was a football guy, Spears Jr. shows incredible upside on the basketball court and has clear potential if he continues to develop. He currently sits at 6-foot-8 with an outstanding lengthy body frame. He has great hands that he utilizes to snag down rebounds on both ends of the floor, his long arms is an asset for him blocking and/or altering shots, and he has the capability to hit shots from the perimeter or the midrange spots as well.
2027 Beckham Black – Arguably the number one point guard already in the 2027 class, Beckham Black has that true traditional point guard style of play. He is the younger brother of current 6-foot-8 Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black and already has similar attributes at 6-foot-3. Beckham finished the EYBL regular season leading the league in assists at 8.1 per game. His all around floor awareness is one of his best assets of his game. He makes the game so much easier for his teammates with his ability to see the floor before others. He has quality size, long arms, and plays a real mature game. He is ahead of his peers in his class and NBA scouts are already looking at him as one of the next big time point guards to make it to the next level as a one-and-done prospect.
2027 Cayden Daughtry – The 2027 class is seeming to look as one of the more loaded classes we have seen, add Cayden Daughtry to the list right now. His elite ability to shoot the ball with range stands out the most, he can shoot the hell out of the ball. The 6-foot-0 point guard has that shifty quickness and a fearless shooter with a quick release. His speed, quickness with the ball helps him create plays not only for himself but for his teammates. Daughtry has an unlimited clip, showed he can make the right reads outside of his Damian Lillard like shooting ability. He uses his quick switch ball handling skills to get to the rim, was able to showcase he can finish at the rim for his size, and has that in between game for a guard like himself.
2027 Jordan Page – Jordan Page is one hell of an attractive prospect out of the state of North Carolina. He is a 6-foot-5+ lefty wing who is recently coming off of a gold medal run with the USA U16s just last month. What makes him attractive? Page has the positional size, athleticism, and from the looks of it, the feel for the game already in his skill set. NBA personnel have already kept tabs on him. He has the ability to score the ball in a variety of ways, shows great activity on both ends, and utilizes his long arms to make plays defensively. He is a very intriguing wing that could see his name called on draft night in a few years.
2026 Adam Oumiddoch – Adam Oumiddoch is an underrated prospect in my eyes that has some NBA scouts checking out his games and keeping eyes on him as he develops. He was an eye-opener this past weekend in Rock Hill at the Adidas Championships and was the center of attention during his time there. He has a unique skill set with an elite combination of size, length, and skill. Adam has the ability to score in bunches. He can create his own offensively, can be a floor spacer with his outside shooting, and has some crafty finishing abilities in his bag of tricks. He is a 6-foot-5 wing with unnoticeable length, has the scoring versatility, and can handle the ball to shot create. If he can consistently play the right way with his decision making, knowing when to score and when to make the right pass, he for sure be able to unlock his full potential at his size.
2026 Jason Crowe Jr. – Jason Crowe Jr. is not only one the best point guards in the country but is also one of the best scorers in the country. The 6-foot-3 guard has a pro-like scoring ability and consistently showcases that every game. Crowe can be considered a long term prospect and can see himself playing at the highest level in the NBA in a few years. He brings instant offense with his incredible ability to hit shots, he is capable of scoring all over the floor, and is a crafty lefty with a sizzle to his game. He is a microwave scorer, has a soft touch on all his jumpers, and has a smooth, quick release. Jason has the size, underrated length that allows him to finish plays through contact around the rim, and solid speed with the ball. He has great range when shooting the three-ball and confident as hell when the rock is in his hands.
2026 Caleb Holt – The 6-foot-5 guard has been all around the world basically over the last month or so, making stops in Italy and Switzerland before leading his Game Elite (GA) squad to a Adidas Championship in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Holt has impressed NBA personnel over the last month or so and well earned. He has been able to prove his worked on perimeter shooting, hitting three’s consistently off catch-and-shoot opportunities. Caleb is a relentless rebounding guard, has that physical physique, size, and athleticism. He is a strong defender, utilizes his strength on both ends of the floor, and seems to always play with a non-stop motor. His ability to compete and be effective in high level games has impressed multiple NBA scouts over the last few weeks.
2026 Maximo Adams – The 6-foot-7 forward came into last week as an underrated, sleeper prospect in the 2026 class. Maximo Adams had himself a stock-rising week for the EYBL’s last session in North Augusta, earning offers from Alabama, Nebraska, and Illinois recently. He is a versatile big time stretch four man, plays bigger than his size, and has that elite competitiveness that next level scouts notice about him immediately. Adams can play multiple positions with his size and versatility all over the floor. He was able to showcase his ability to spread defenses knocking down perimeter jumpers and also being able to take his opponents off the dribble finishing plays at the rim. He is an effective rebounder and capable of handling the ball at times to make plays. Adams is a prospect that should continue to see some more recognition as the grassroots season comes to an end.
The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines 