by Clifton Dixon | September 7, 2026 | HoopFest Tour
The 2026 HoopFest Junior/Senior – Freshman/Sophomore Academy gave 2027-2030 a strong platform to compete, showcase their skill sets, and separate themselves in a focused evaluation setting. With experienced prospects on the floor in front of 20 plus College Coaches and scouts, the event highlighted players who could produce with maturity, communicate, handle physicality, and impact winning beyond the box score. Guards controlled tempo and created advantages, wings brought versatility on both ends, and front-court players made their presence felt through activity, toughness, and interior presence. This first group of standouts set the tone for the academy and established themselves as names to track moving forward.
Next up, you don’t want to miss HoopFest Hidden Prospects Showcase, Click Here for Details
Donte Haywood — 2028, 6-2 Guard, Patterson High School
Haywood stood out with his quickness, confidence and ability to create offense from the perimeter. He used changes of pace to get downhill, showed good control when navigating traffic and made timely reads when help defenders rotated. His ability to score off the dribble, contribute as a secondary playmaker and compete at the point of attack gave him a strong two-way presence.
Rashad Issac — 2028, 6-0 Guard, Sophie B. Wright
Issac stood out with his speed, ball-handling and ability to create pressure from the backcourt. He used quick changes of direction to beat defenders, attacked the paint with confidence and showed good feel when deciding between scoring and facilitating. His ability to create separation, push the tempo and compete defensively at the point of attack were among his strongest qualities.
Demarcus Mitchell — 2027, 6-0 Guard, Ferriday High School
Mitchell made his mark with his burst, handle and ability to manufacture offense in tight spaces. He showed a strong first step, changed directions effectively and was comfortable creating separation for pull-ups or driving opportunities. His awareness as a passer allowed him to find teammates once the defense committed, while his quick hands and competitive nature added value defensively. Mitchell’s shot creation, pace and ability to play with confidence under pressure highlighted his performance.
Kortlan Williams — 2027, 6-3 Guard, David Thibodaux High School
Williams showed a strong blend of size, balance and perimeter skill. He was effective attacking closeouts, played through contact with control and created scoring opportunities from different spots on the floor. His ability to change pace, make reads off penetration and contribute on the glass gave him added versatility, while his length helped him defend multiple back-court match-ups. Those qualities helped him stand out.
Caisen Reeves — 2028, 6-5 Guard/Forward, Sterlington High School
Reeves brought a versatile skill set that allowed him to impact the game from several spots on the floor. He used his size to attack smaller defenders, showed comfort handling the ball in space and finished well when he got downhill. His ability to rebound, switch across multiple positions and make plays in transition added to his value on both ends. Reeves’ combination of length, mobility and perimeter versatility helped him stand out.
Cordarius Woodard — 2028, 6-0 Guard, Hannan High School
Hannan High School
Woodard brought energy and creativity to the back-court with his ability to change direction, attack off the bounce and create space against pressure. He showed confidence getting into the lane, kept defenders off balance with his handle and made smart decisions once help arrived. His quickness also translated defensively, where he stayed active at the point of attack and competed for loose balls. Woodard’s combination of pace, ball control and playmaking helped him make an impression at the 2026 HoopFest Junior-Senior Academy.
Micah Malone — 2027, 6-4 Guard, Northshore (TX)
Northshore High School (TX)
Malone showcased a polished perimeter game built around size, control and versatility. His impact showed up in several ways: creating paint touches off the dribble, drawing help defenders and finding open teammates, using his strength to finish through contact, and knocking down pull-up opportunities when defenders backed off. He also helped initiate transition offense after securing rebounds and used his length to contest shots and defend multiple perimeter positions. Malone’s ability to influence possessions as a scorer, creator, rebounder and defender made him one of the more complete guards at the Academy on Saturday.
Kobe Dantzler — 2027, 6-2 Guard, Hannan High School
Dantzler emerged as one of the more assertive and complete back-court performers in the gym, consistently impacting possessions with his pace, scoring instincts and competitive edge. He used changes of speed to turn the corner, generated paint touches and forced help defenders to react, opening passing windows for teammates. He also showed confidence creating his own shot when possessions broke down and competed defensively by staying attached to opposing guards and contesting ball-handlers at the point of attack. Dantzler’s ability to influence the game as a scorer, facilitator and defender highlighted his performance.
Trae Dorsey — 2027, 6-1 Guard, Denham Springs
Springs High School
Dorsey was a solid back-court presence who consistently pressured the defense with his speed and handle. He changed gears effectively to beat defenders off the bounce, got into the paint and showed the awareness to either finish or deliver the ball once help arrived. His ability to create separation for pull-up opportunities added another layer to his offensive game. Defensively, Dorsey competed with active hands and quick feet, applying steady pressure at the point of attack throughout the day.
Jordan Scott — 2027, 6-2 Guard, Thrive Academy (LA)
Scott stood out with his ability to consistently create paint touches and keep the offense moving with quick, controlled decisions. He used changes of pace to get defenders on his hip, attacked gaps without over-dribbling and showed good touch when finishing around length. When help stepped up, he was comfortable dropping passes to cutters or kicking the ball out to shooters. He also added value defensively by staying engaged at the point of attack, fighting over screens and using active hands to disrupt ball-handlers.
Breenon Bell — 2027, 6-2 Guard, Covington High School
Bell separated himself with his change of pace, tight ball control and ability to consistently get paint touches. He showed confidence attacking off the dribble, kept defenders off balance with hesitation moves and made good decisions once help rotated. His ability to create for others, finish plays in traffic and apply pressure at the point of attack were among his strongest qualities.
Braylon Dixon — 2028, 5-6 Guard, Peabody High School
Dixon caught attention with his quickness, change of direction and ability to consistently put pressure on the defense. He used a low center of gravity and tight handle to navigate traffic, turn the corner and get into the paint despite facing bigger defenders. His speed in transition, touch on floaters and willingness to create for teammates gave him multiple ways to influence the offense. Defensively, his active hands, lateral quickness and persistent ball pressure made him difficult to shake at the point of attack.
Kerry Simmons — 2028, 6-1 Guard, Bolton Academy
Simmons stood out with his pace, aggressiveness and ability to create offense off the dribble. He attacked gaps with confidence, used changes of speed to keep defenders off balance and showed good control when working into the paint. His ability to finish around traffic, make timely passes and contribute as a secondary playmaker gave him versatility in the back-court. Defensively, his effort, quick feet and willingness to pressure the ball helped him make an impact on both ends.
Kaiden Morris — 2028, 6-1 Guard, Peabody High School
Morris impressed with his burst, attacking mindset and ability to create advantages from the perimeter. He used quick first-step acceleration to get downhill, showed balance when finishing through traffic and remained composed when defenders cut off his initial drive. His ability to change directions, create separation and make simple reads as a passer gave him versatility in the back-court. On the defensive end, his lateral quickness and active hands allowed him to apply steady pressure and disrupt opposing guards.
Hector Ruiz — 2027, 6-7 Forward, St. Stanislas (MS)
Ruiz stood out with his size, physicality and ability to make an impact around the basket. He used his frame well to establish position, finish through contact and create second-chance opportunities on the glass. His mobility allowed him to run the floor, defend away from the rim and cover multiple frontcourt assignments. Ruiz’s rebounding, interior toughness and two-way versatility were among his strongest qualities.
David “DT” Thomas — 2028, 6-4 Guard, Bossier High School
Thomas stood out with his size, strength and ability to create advantages from the perimeter. He used his frame effectively when attacking the lane, absorbed contact well and showed control when finishing around the basket. His ability to handle the ball, make reads on the move and contribute as a rebounder gave him added versatility in the back-court. Defensively, his length and physicality allowed him to contest shots and match up with multiple perimeter positions.
Mason Hawkins — 2027, 6-5 Forward, Pearl River
Hawkins separated himself with his elite perimeter shooting and ability to stretch the floor from the forward position. He showed confidence as a catch-and-shoot threat, displayed a quick and repeatable release and consistently punished defenders for giving him space. His shooting gravity opened driving lanes for teammates, while his size allowed him to shoot comfortably over smaller closeouts. Hawkins also contributed on the glass, ran the floor well and competed defensively, but his high-level shot-making was the defining strength of his performance.
Liam Rountree — 2027, 6-4 Combo Guard, Lafayette Christian
Rountree stood out with his versatility, size and ability to contribute in both guard spots. He played with good pace, attacked closeouts effectively and used his frame to finish through contact around the basket. His ability to handle the ball, make reads as a secondary creator and knock down perimeter shots gave him value as a multi-dimensional back-court piece. Defensively, his length and competitiveness allowed him to match up with multiple perimeter positions.
Sean Mayberry — 2027, 6-7 Forward, Northshore (TX)
Northshore High School (TX)
Mayberry stood out with his size, length and ability to impact the game in multiple frontcourt roles. He finished effectively around the basket, attacked the glass with purpose and moved well in transition. His mobility gave him the ability to defend in space, challenge shots and cover different matchups. Mayberry’s physical tools, rebounding presence and defensive versatility were among his strongest qualities.
Keith Collins — 2027, 6-3 Guard, Northshore High School (LA)
Collins stood out with his physicality, athleticism and ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He attacked the lane with purpose, used his strength to play through contact and showed confidence creating offense off the dribble. His ability to rebound from the guard position, defend multiple perimeter matchups and provide secondary play-making added to his overall value. Collins’ toughness, defensive versatility and aggressive downhill approach were among his strongest qualities at the 2026 HoopFest Junior-Senior Academy.
TaVarius Turner — 2029, 5-11 Guard, Pleasant High School
Turner impressed with his burst, creativity and control in the back-court. He used changes of pace to beat defenders, found openings in the lane and showed confidence making plays for himself or others. On defense, his quick feet and active hands helped him stay disruptive at the point of attack. His composure and feel for the game stood out.
Leonardo Banks Jr. — 2029, 6-0 Guard, Liberty Magnet
Banks showed good pace, confidence and feel for the game from the back-court. He handled pressure well, attacked openings off the bounce and stayed composed when making decisions in traffic. His ability to create for teammates, finish around the lane and compete defensively made him one of the more promising young guards at the 2026 HoopFest Junior-Senior / Freshman-Sophomore Academy.
Jayce Charlot — 2029, 6-0 Guard, Opelousas High School
Charlot made an impression with his poise, handle and ability to create advantages from the back-court. He was effective changing direction, getting into the lane and keeping defenders off balance with his pace. His willingness to move the ball, attack scoring windows and compete at the point of attack gave him a well-rounded presence.
Raylin Gallow — 2029, 6-2 Guard, Ville Platte High School
Gallow stood out with his length, first-step burst and ability to create from the perimeter. He attacked closeouts effectively, finished through traffic and showed good body control around the rim. His handle allowed him to change direction without losing pace, while his passing instincts helped him find teammates when help defenders committed. Defensively, his size, active hands and lateral quickness gave him the ability to pressure the ball, contest shots and guard multiple backcourt spots. Those tools made Gallow one of the more intriguing young guards at the Academy.
Jerimyh Austin Guidry — 2029, 5-10 Guard, Airline High School
Guidry impressed with his quickness, ball control and confidence creating from the back-court. He used changes of speed to beat defenders, attacked openings before the defense could recover and showed good touch when finishing in the lane. His ability to make reads off penetration, push the tempo and apply pressure defensively gave him a well-rounded impact.
Korey Spriggs — 2030, 6-4 G/F, David Thibodaux High School
Spriggs showed impressive size, length and versatility for his age. He used his frame to finish around the basket, rebounded effectively outside his area and showed comfort handling the ball in space. His mobility allowed him to run the floor, defend multiple positions and impact possessions on both ends, giving him significant long-term upside.
Detravion Caldwell — 2029, 5-6 Guard, Marksville High School
Caldwell brought speed, toughness and strong change-of-direction ability to the back-court. He stayed low with the ball, used quick bursts to turn the corner and showed confidence navigating traffic against bigger defenders. His ability to push the pace, create passing angles off penetration and apply pressure defensively gave him a productive two-way presence.
Laken Jones — 2029, 6-7 Forward, Central High School
Jones stood out with his size, length and developing offensive versatility. He showed touch finishing around the rim, used his frame well on catches in the paint and was effective converting through contact. He also flashed the ability to face up, attack slower defenders off the bounce and make simple reads when help arrived. His rebounding created second-chance opportunities, while his mobility allowed him to run the floor and finish in transition. Defensively, his reach and movement gave him value as a rim presence and versatile frontcourt matchup.
Casey Sweat — 2029, 6-0 Guard, Reeves High School
Sweat showed a balanced offensive game with good pace, shot-making ability and control off the dribble. He was effective attacking closeouts, creating space for pull-up opportunities and getting into the lane when defenders crowded him on the perimeter. His ability to play on or off the ball, make simple reads and compete defensively gave him value on both ends.
Nehemiah Williams — 2029, 6-5 Forward, St. Louis High School (LA)
Williams showed an intriguing combination of size, mobility and offensive versatility from the forward position. He was effective running the floor, finding scoring opportunities around the basket and using his frame to finish through traffic. In the half court, he showed comfort facing the basket, attacking open space off the bounce and taking advantage of mismatches against smaller defenders. His activity on the offensive glass created additional possessions, while his length gave him the ability to finish plays above and around defenders. Williams also brought value defensively with his rebounding, ability to contest shots and mobility when defending away from the rim.
