I spent two days in Atlanta to catch the Under Armour Association (UAA) third session (July 10-13). This was a great re-hash for me to evaluate at guys that I haven’t seen since May. Plenty of prospects made a statement during my stop, so let’s dive in and clean out the notebook.
Jarvis Hayes Jr. – Top 25 Level Statement
I evaluated a high level 16U matchup between Atlanta Xpress and KC Run GMC. Xpress came out with the win and 2027 Jarvis Hayes Jr. was the star of the show. A gangly, elongated guard that can score it in multiple ways. Hayes has added to his self creation bag and now his pull-up game is really coming along as he uses elevation and high release point to get shots off vs. defenders. Hayes’ handle has improved and needs minimal dribbles to get the shot he wants. The way he moves in general, how he moves when playing off the ball and Hayes’ ability to generate his own look are the reasons why his national ranking will get a big bump.
Others ATL Express-KC Run GMC Highlights
Chase Branham, 6’4 CG – KC Run GMC: He’s a combo that shoots it well. Liked Branham’s decision making, especially on ball screens because he has a good blend of scoring and passing as a ball-handler. Branham wasted no time getting the ball out of his hands in transition in a natural flow of the offense. Branham has a nice combo of shooting skill, feel and offensive versatility.
Julien Price, 6’3 SG – Atlanta Xpress: Hit multiple triples in a variety of ways: standstill, off the bounce or coming off an action to launch. Impressed with his versatile shooting prowess.
Solomon Bratton, 6’7 PF/SF – Atlanta Xpress: A combo forward that’s a mismatch guy. Bratton stretched the floor and made threes. Attacked the rim as a popper on ball-screens and would post up smaller guys. Intrigued with Bratton’s overall game and one to monitor.
2028 Xavier Young Continues to Grow
A top 20 player nationally in his class, Young has the physical tools that match what high major programs want. In the game I evaluated vs. Team Thrill, he played within his strengths as a play finisher, rebounder and rim protector, but also showed face-up and stretch game. Young made three triples in that game and they were all wide open and within the flow of the offense. He’s a two way interior threat that down the road will be a consistent option as a spot-up shooter. At 6’9 with long arms and wide shoulders, that prototype pans out fairly well.
Chris Washington: Production Matching Potential
The upside 2026 Chris Washington has is tremendous. Athletic, long arms, a legit 6’8 with perimeter skills. He puts it together in flashes or stretches, but in Atlanta I saw him put it together each game. Washington’s motor stayed on, he was aggressive when the ball was in his hands and he made his presence known in the paint as a shot blocker. When the motor and assertiveness switch are on, Washington impacts winning at a high level.
2026 Notables
Preston Wade, 6’10 C – BMaze: Play finisher, lob threat, rim protector, Wade played hard and ran floors well. Just active and albeit, being skinny and that can hinder him on the block, he still finds a way to create second chance opportunities and finish inside.
Quinn Costello, 6’10 PF – Middlesex Magic: Someone that has seen a big splash in his recruitment this summer and at 6’10 mobile and really shooting it, it makes a lot of sense. More of the same of what I’ve been seeing and that’s more than enough.
Jacob Lanier, 6’5 SG – Gulf Coast BlueChips: Was really good, actually; Lanier played hard, scored the ball from spot-up threes and attacking closeouts. His pace and decision making was fine. He was more assertive as a scorer and steered his team in the right direction record wise. I think him taking the next step, leadership wise, and competing hard defensively was great to see.
Collin Price, 6’7 SF – Martin Brothers: I’m a fan of Collin. 6’7ish, has a high feel, shoots it and has adequate vertical pop. Has seen his recruitment up-tick this summer and for someone with that positional size, IQ and shooting punch, it makes sense.
Gage Mayfield, 6’6 SF – Pro-One: Mayfield potentially can play basketball for a long time. 6’6, very good athlete, switchable defender and a naturally strong body. His shooting and ball-handling have improved and even though they still need work, the development is going in the right direction. Liked how hard Mayfield played and showed off being an athletic shot maker.
Kingston Whitty, 6’1 PG – Pro-One: Guard that’s a high level off the dribble scorer. Has wiggle with his dribble game and scores it in isolation and off ball-screens. I think Whitty will have a really good college career if he starts at the right program that values his strengths.
Brayden Jones, 6’2 PG – Texas Impact (Homeschool): Scores the ball at a high clip and gets to the foul line. Committed to Lamar. One of Texas Impact’s scoring leaders and he came off the bench. Over the past 30 days, Jones has exhibited good self-creation skills and toughness.
Tre Smith, 5’11 Pg – Dallashowtyme: Tough, gritty guard that defends full length and competes at a high level. Constant paint toucher and finisher.
2027 Notables
Payton Jones, 6’2 PG – Gulf Coast BlueChips: Downhill pg with a strong basketball body. Tough as nails, finishes through contact at the rim and has improved as a 3- point shooter. Shooting is still the swinging skill for him, but he’s been a handful in the UAA Circuit and continues to see his name rise in the national spotlight.
Darrell Davis, 5’10 PG – Team Thrill: Attacking pg that guards the full length and has a quick first step offensively. Pesky defender that disrupts the point of attack. Offensively, he’s an adequate decision maker on ball screens, but can get to his spots in isolation. Guards like him that are tough, score it and consistently impact winning need to be highlighted.
Patrese Feamster, 6’4 SG – Philly Pride: Scoring two-guard that’s shot diet comes from the three. Step-backs and pull-up threes is his thing. Impressed with his perimeter shooting and quick trigger.
2028 Notables
Isaiah Hamilton, 6’7 SF – Canada Elite: One of the best players in 2028. Has some freakish athleticism, good arm length and adequate perimeter skills. He’ll contend for a spot at the top of that class for the upcoming years.
Tai Bell, 6’3 SG – SOH Elite: More of the same with him. Stable, knows how to play and has an advanced offensive game. Shot the ball well and used strength advantage on mid-post looks, drives and made cross court passes with accuracy.
Miles Hayes, 6’5 SF – Atlanta Xpress: Was really good. Scores it well in transition and uses his length on finishes and deflecting passes defensively. Active with functional ball skills and off the dribble scoring talent.
