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News, updates, and featured players from the Underground Hoops community
Roman Avery
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy · Georgia
Player Info
Position
Shooting Guard
Height
6'5"
Class
2027
School
Mt. Bethel Christian
State
Georgia
Scouting Report
Roman Avery is a tough matchup. He has D1 size for his position and is a lethal shooter who can get hot. When he's hot, he's automatic. He has a tight handle and a very quick first step, able to blow by defenders and finish at the rim.
He's a legitimate scoring threat with and without the ball. We expect him to play at the D1 level and he's primed for an unbelievable senior year at Mt. Bethel in Marietta, GA.
Analyst Breakdown
“I've watched Roman play for several years and every time, there's been obvious growth. Sometimes that growth has been a few literal inches added. He is one of the best shooting prospects in his class in the state of Georgia and his athleticism keeps growing to match his shooting ability.
He is becoming every bit as dangerous as a slasher as he is a shooter, making him very tough to guard. I've also been impressed with his on-court demeanor. He is a good teammate. He doesn't play selfish basketball but really plays within the flow of the game. Big things are in store for this player.”
Key Traits
UHoops Original Feature · July 14, 2026
This Week in HS Basketball
Headlines compiled by UHoops staff from national recruiting and prep basketball media. Sources cited above. Updated weekly.
Samuel Cockrell
Lassiter HS · Georgia
Player Info
Position
Forward
Height
6'3"
Class
2029
School
Lassiter HS
State
Georgia
Scouting Report
Samuel Cockrell is a very intriguing prospect. He is an extremely competent outside shooter with the ability to get hot from outside. He is also very adept at finishing in traffic through contact.
He has a unique ability to post up smaller defenders, catching the ball with his back to the basket and being able to utilize a mixture of back-to-the-basket skills along with his perimeter game to score in a variety of settings. With his size, frame, and versatile scoring ability, he is likely to be a highly productive offensive player.
Spring Recap
Cockrell had an incredibly productive Spring season as one of the highest scoring players in the competitive On The Radar circuit in the southeast. His team (currently ranked 2nd in OTR among almost 40 teams) relies on him to play a major role on both sides of the floor, and he's answered the call all spring — leading his team in both scoring and rebounding.
Key Traits
UHoops Original Feature · July 5, 2026
Carter King
Alpharetta HS · Georgia
Player Info
Position
Scoring Guard
Class
2028
School
Alpharetta HS
State
Georgia
Previous School
Mt. Pisgah
Scouting Report
Carter King had an incredible spring, emerging as one of the top scoring guards in the OTR circuit despite playing up a year. As a sophomore, King was an honorable mention All-Region player for Mt. Pisgah, and he'll be suiting up for Alpharetta HS as a junior this upcoming season.
King's blend of outside shooting prowess, combined with his unrelenting ability to attack the rim, makes him a scoring threat with or without the ball in his hands. He's a gutsy defender who is poised to make some major noise for Alpharetta this upcoming season.
Key Traits
UHoops Original Feature · July 3, 2026
Commitment Central
June 28 – 30, 2026
Kager Knueppel
Commits to Duke
Height
6'10"
Weight
225 lbs
School
Wisconsin Lutheran
247 Rank
#28 Overall
The Knueppel name is heading back to Durham. Four-star forward Kager Knueppel — younger brother of Duke legend and Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel— has committed to Duke, becoming the first pledge in the Blue Devils' 2027 recruiting class.
At 6'10" and 225 pounds, Kager is an elite shooter who has consistently knocked down over 50% from three on the EYBL circuit — a truly remarkable clip for a player his size. Head coach Jon Scheyer is landing a player who fits the Duke system perfectly: length, shooting, and pedigree. Ranked No. 28 nationally by 247Sports, Knueppel is already one of the most coveted forwards in the country.
Source: 247Sports / ESPN / On3
Also This Week
LJ Smith
Overtime Elite → Ohio State
Reclassifies to 2026 — joins Anthony Thompson in a loaded Buckeyes class. Immediate-impact wing who adds explosiveness to a team with national title aspirations.
Source: 247Sports / ESPN
Gabe Nesmith
TBD → Vanderbilt
Top-20 five-star wing picks the Commodores in a major coup for Jerry Stackhouse. Nesmith is a versatile 6'7" forward with elite instincts on both ends.
Source: 247Sports / ESPN
Davion Thompson
TBD → Arkansas
Five-star point guard commits to the Razorbacks — with whispers of a reclassification to 2026 already circulating. One of the most gifted passers in his class.
Source: 247Sports / ESPN
Jevin Finley
East Coweta HS · Georgia
Player Info
Position
Shooting Guard
Height
6'4"
Class
2029
School
East Coweta HS
State
Georgia
Scouting Report
Jevin Finley is a 2029 shooting guard with as much upside as any guard in Georgia — and he's a name that people need to start paying serious attention to. At 6'4" with a solid, mature build, Finley can already attack the basket unbothered by strong defenders. He's an incredible athlete — explosive and bouncy — capable of throwing it down with ease when he gets near the rim.
He's also a very capable shooter who attacks with purpose from mid-range, flashing a skill set that most players his age can't touch. East Coweta HS has an absolute gem on their hands. The combination of his physical tools, scoring instincts, and age makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in the state.
Key Traits
Expert Take
I watched Jevin play for three minutes and knew I was looking at a future D1 starter — perhaps even a high-major D1 starter. The fact that he isn't a reclass can't be overstated. His size and build for his age is insane, and he already moves really well. As he continues to mature, he's going to become a consistently dominant player capable of climbing up rankings lists fast. I think he's the most underrated player in the 2029 class in Georgia.
— Former College Basketball Writer, speaking exclusively to UHoops
UHoops Original Feature · June 30, 2026
This Week in
HS Basketball
Biggest commitments, transfers, and moves from the last 7 days
Baboucarr Ann Commits to Wisconsin
Four-star guard Baboucarr Ann from Maple Grove, Minnesota announced his commitment to Wisconsin on June 25th, choosing the Badgers over Notre Dame, Iowa State, and Minnesota. The 6'5" wing is ranked No. 1 in the state of Minnesota and a top-100 prospect nationally by 247Sports. Ann becomes the third member of Wisconsin's 2027 class, joining Jalen Brown and Jack Thelen — a strong early haul for head coach Greg Gard.
Source: 247Sports
Indiana Commit Chase Branham Heads to La Lumiere
Indiana commit Chase Branham announced he will transfer to La Lumiere for his senior season. The 6'4" combo guard — ranked a top-25 national prospect in the 2027 class — previously led Logan-Rogersville High School in Missouri to a Class 4 state title during the 2025-26 season. Moving to La Lumiere puts him in the EYBL Scholastic League against elite national competition ahead of his freshman year in Bloomington.
Source: ESPN / On3
Anderson Diaz Picks Alabama — Reclassification Watch
Four-star point guard Anderson Diaz of Overtime Elite committed to Alabama on May 21st, becoming the Tide's first 2027 pledge under head coach Nate Oats. The 6'1" playmaker is regarded as one of the most polished ball-handlers in his class, and scouts are watching closely for a potential reclassification to 2026 — which would make him an immediate impact player in Tuscaloosa next season.
Source: 247Sports / ESPN
Kansas Holds No. 1 Class — Stokes & Kinney Lead the Way
Kansas enters the week with the nation's top-ranked 2026 recruiting class, headlined by consensus No. 1 overall recruit Tyran Stokes and five-star point guard Taylen Kinney. The Jayhawks have reloaded in dominant fashion under Bill Self, and with this class coming in together, Kansas looks poised to be a national title contender from day one of the 2026-27 season.
Source: ESPN / 247Sports Composite
Illinois Lands Williams, Indiana Adds Manhertz via Reclassification
Illinois secured a commitment from Kankakee star Lincoln Williams, adding a high-upside in-state prospect to Brad Underwood's 2026 class. Meanwhile Indiana added Trevor Manhertz, who reclassified to the 2026 class to join the Hoosiers immediately — giving Indiana a boost on the frontline heading into next season. Both programs are making strong late pushes to close out their 2026 boards.
Source: 247Sports / On3
Aggregated from ESPN, 247Sports, On3, and Rivals. Week of June 22–28, 2026.
5 StoriesThe Latest: Class of 2029
The biggest stories in 2029 recruiting — the class is just getting started, and the names are already turning heads
ESPN Drops First SC Next 25 Rankings — JJ Crawford Lands at No. 1
ESPN made waves in late May when it dropped its inaugural SC Next 25 rankings for the class of 2029, and the top spot went to JJ Crawford — a 6'5" guard out of Rainier Beach High School in Seattle. Crawford has drawn comparisons for his advanced instincts, three-level scoring ability, and composure beyond his years. As a freshman, he already commanded attention on the AAU circuit before the rankings were even published. Michigan was among the first high-major programs to extend an offer, and scouts across the country expect his offer sheet to explode over the next 12 months. Crawford's combination of size, feel, and shot-making ability gives him the profile of a future lottery pick.
Source: ESPN SC Next
Kristen Winston Named MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year
The No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2029 class according to ESPN, Kristen Winston capped a remarkable freshman season by earning MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors. The 6'0" guard out of Hoover, Alabama helped lead Hoover High School to a state championship while showcasing the defensive tenacity and three-level scoring that have scouts calling her the most complete freshman in the country. She already holds multiple Power 5 scholarship offers and is widely regarded as the frontrunner to be the No. 1 overall recruit in her class when final rankings are released.
Source: MaxPreps / ESPN
Mason Grivna Racking Up Offers at 6'11" — Louisville, Texas Tech, Indiana Among Schools In
Big men don't come around often at the 2029 level, which is why Mason Grivna is already on every major program's radar. The 6'11" center from Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky has quietly accumulated one of the most impressive early offer sheets in his class — Louisville, Texas Tech, Indiana, Arizona State, Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Villanova have all extended offers. Grivna is still raw but his combination of length, footwork, and upside make him a priority target for programs who know you have to get to elite bigs early.
Source: 247Sports / Prep Hoops
Draydne McDaniel Turning Heads at Prolific Prep
A 6'7" small forward playing for one of the most prestigious prep programs in the country, Draydne McDaniel has cracked the top five of Prep Hoops' Florida 2029 rankings. Playing at Prolific Prep gives McDaniel a major stage to showcase his versatility, and early evaluations note his ability to guard multiple positions, make plays off the bounce, and finish around the rim. Expect his national profile to rise significantly once the spring and summer circuits are in full swing.
Source: Prep Hoops
Jace Opoku-Agyeman Earns First High-Major Offer from West Virginia
Point guard Jace Opoku-Agyeman became one of the first 2029 prospects to land a high-major scholarship offer when West Virginia came calling. The offer is a significant milestone for a class that is still just entering its recruiting cycle, and it signals that coaching staffs across the country are no longer waiting to evaluate the 2029 class. For Opoku-Agyeman, it validates what those who have watched him at the grassroots level have known — he has the vision, pace, and leadership profile that translate to the next level.
Source: Rivals
247Sports Begins Tracking 2029 Class — Formal Rankings Coming Soon
247Sports has begun logging recruiting entries for the class of 2029, though formal composite rankings are not yet published. The site is actively monitoring prospects who have begun receiving scholarship offers, indicating that the database infrastructure is being built ahead of what promises to be a highly scrutinized class. Coaches and scouts expect the first formal national rankings to drop later this year as evaluators get more looks at these players during the summer circuit.
Source: 247Sports
Early Top 10 — Class of 2029
Rankings based on ESPN SC Next, Prep Hoops, and scout evaluationsJJ Crawford
SG · 6'5" · Seattle, WA
Kristen Winston
G · 6'0" · Hoover, AL
Mason Grivna
C · 6'11" · Louisville, KY
Draydne McDaniel
SF · 6'7" · Florida
Jace Opoku-Agyeman
PG
Bryce Irby
F
Grant Duggins
F
Kaleb Taylor
— · Tennessee
Josiah Brooks
—
TBD
—
Aggregated from ESPN SC Next, MaxPreps, 247Sports, Prep Hoops, and Rivals. Rankings are early and subject to change as evaluators get more looks.
News from the Underground
High school basketball's biggest stories from the last 7 days
Top 2027 Point Guard Commits to Duke
Isaiah Hill, the consensus No. 1 point guard in the 2027 class, announced his commitment to Duke University, giving the Blue Devils a potential franchise player. Hill averaged 16.4 PPG and 7.2 APG this spring.
Source: 247Sports
EYBL Spring Rankings Update
New Jersey Hoops Elite made major moves in the AAU circuit, with three players entering the national top 50. The program's success on the spring circuit has opened doors for multiple recruits.
Source: ESPN
Summer Circuit Preview: Elite Camps Begin
Major summer camps and tournaments are ramping up, with prospects from across the country competing for attention. Top universities will have scouts at LeBron James' camp and other premier events.
Source: Rivals
Five-Star Forward Narrows Down College List
Marcus Thompson, a 6'9" forward from IMG Academy, has narrowed his college search to five schools including Kansas, UCLA, and Alabama. Thompson is expected to make his decision by summer's end.
Source: Overtime
Reclassifications Shake Up 2027 Rankings
Multiple 2028 prospects have announced reclassifications to 2027, significantly impacting the recruiting landscape. This shift has created new opportunities and competition across all positions.
Source: 247Sports
News aggregated from 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals, and Overtime. Last updated today.
Recruiting Roundup
Top prospects, top schools, and the biggest news
Marcus Spears Jr.
PF • Uncommitted
CJ Rosser
PF • Uncommitted
Beckham Black
PG • Uncommitted
Paul Osaruyi
PF • Uncommitted
Ryan Hampton
CG • Uncommitted
Obinna Ekezie Jr.
C • Uncommitted
King Gibson
CG • Uncommitted
Reese Alston
PG • Uncommitted
Nasir Anderson
PG • Uncommitted
Jordan Page
SG • Uncommitted
Kansas
1 commits • 1 5-star
Indiana
1 commits • 1 5-star
Ohio State
1 commits • 1 5-star
Missouri
1 commits • 1 5-star
Gonzaga
1 commits • 1 5-star
Iowa State
1 commits • 1 5-star
Texas A&M
1 commits • 1 5-star
Wisconsin
1 commits • 1 5-star
Louisville
2 commits • 2 5-star
Duke
0 commits • 0 5-star
Big Headlines
Marcus Spears Jr. Leads 2027 Rankings
The dynamic power forward holds the consensus No. 1 spot in the 2027 class, with elite athleticism and scoring ability drawing interest from top programs.
247Sports
Early Commitments in 2027 Class
Javon Bardwell commits to Kansas as the first major commitment of the 2027 cycle, signaling early momentum in the recruiting battle.
ESPN
Louisville Lands Two Top Prospects
The Cardinals build early momentum with commitments from Ferlandes Wright and Isaac Ellis, establishing themselves as a major player in 2027.
Rivals
Data sourced from 247Sports. Rankings and commitments as of June 6, 2026.
Peter Julius
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy • Marietta, GA

Elite Stats
Position
Center
Height
6'9"
Class
2028
AAU
EYBL Stars
Player Profile
Peter Julius is an elite athletic prospect with exceptional length and a high motor. Standing 6'9", Julius is a dominant paint presence who combines elite shot-blocking ability with developing offensive skills. His ability to protect the rim, dominate the glass, and run the floor makes him one of the most intriguing young bigs in the 2028 class with significant upside at the college level.
Scout Reports: Described as a mobile and athletic post prospect with high-level size and defensive prowess. Evaluators praise his elite shot-blocking, exceptional rebounding, and growing soft touch on the block. While raw offensively, his patient approach with soft hands and rim-running ability signal strong development potential.
Key Strengths
Player information sourced from 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals. Scouting descriptions aggregated from recruiting evaluators. Data current as of June 6, 2026.



