The nation’s top players and programs once again converged on Springfield, Massachusetts, for the Hoop Hall Classic, one of high school basketball’s premier stages. Elite prospects from the junior and senior classes filled the gym, displaying the skill, poise, and competitiveness that have propelled them to the top of their respective classes. With NBA scouts and college coaches watching intently at Springfield College, the talent level was unmistakable. While many players delivered standout moments, a select group separated itself, leaving a lasting impression over the weekend.
Tyran Stokes 6’7 230 SF/PF – Rainier Beach 2026 (Undecided)
Widely regarded as the top senior in the country and one of the premier prospects, Stokes (pictured with JJ Crawford) reinforced that standing at the Hoop Hall Classic against Bishop McNamara with a dominant, controlled performance. He separated himself from the field from the opening tip through the final possession, finishing with 37 points and 11 rebounds on 25 shot attempts. His jumper continues to ascend, highlighted by six made three-pointers, but the most impressive element of his showing was his command of tempo and overall feel for the game. Stokes dictated pace, attacked mismatches with patience, and delivered timely plays on both ends while guiding Rainier Beach to an overtime victory. He is as talented as anyone in the class, and the key moving forward will be consistently demonstrating the maturity, leadership, and team-first approach needed to fully capitalize on that upside in the eyes of NBA decision-makers.
Jason Crowe 6’3 170 SG/PG – Inglewood 2026 (Missouri)
Crowe has repeatedly proven himself as the premier scorer in high school basketball, most notably by breaking the California High School scoring record earlier this season. In his lone appearance at the Hoop Hall Classic, he reinforced that reputation in historic fashion. Crowe led Inglewood to a one-point victory while erupting for a Hoop Hall–record 48 points. He found his rhythm immediately, consistently creating space, knocking down difficult shots, and finishing through traffic. A pure scoring guard with deep range that stretches the defense, Crowe plays with a scorer’s mentality but also made his presence felt defensively, pacing his team with seven rebounds and six steals.
Jordan Smith 6’2 195 SG – Paul VI 2026 (Undecided)
Jordan Smith has put together one of the most impressive high school seasons in the country, and that level of play carried over to the Hoop Hall Classic. Despite appearing in just one game after a runner-up finish at the Bass Pro event, Smith powered Paul VI to a six-point win over St. Mary’s. Even with another five-star talent on the floor, Smith was the clear standout, finishing with 34 points, eight assists, and six rebounds on 22 shot attempts. He controlled the game from the opening tip, flashing advanced ball-handling, a quick first step, and a strong feel for creating advantages. Smith consistently reached his spots, finished through contact, and punished mismatches, drawing fouls at a high rate and converting 12 of his 13 free throws to seal the win. His rise has been steady since last summer, when a strong EYBL showing and a gold medal with Team USA vaulted him into the top five of the national rankings.
Cameron Williams 6’11 195 PF/C – Saint Mary’s 2026 (Duke)
Cam Williams stands out as one of the most intriguing long-term prospects in the 2026 class, combining elite length with a skill package that separates him from most players his size. Though he appeared in just one game at the Hoop Hall Classic, Williams left a lasting impression despite the loss. He finished with 31 points on 18 shot attempts, showcasing a versatile offensive arsenal. At 6’11, Williams features a smooth, repeatable shooting stroke, advanced feel for the game, and the ability to handle the ball and stretch the floor, knocking down four three-pointers against Paul VI. Continued progress on the glass and added strength to his slender frame will be key next steps in his development. As his body matures and his physical tools catch up to his skill level, Williams has the upside to challenge Tyran Stokes for the No. 1 overall spot in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Caleb Holt 6’5 200 SG/SF – Prolific Prep 2026 (Undecided)
Caleb Holt reinforced his standing as one of the nation’s elite prospects with another strong showing at the Hoop Hall Classic for Prolific Prep. Even in a loss, Holt displayed the full scope of his two-way impact, finishing with 16 points and eight rebounds while affecting the game on both ends of the floor. He was especially active defensively, leading his team with three steals and consistently disrupting passing lanes. Holt’s continued development as a shooter has been one of the most notable trends in his progression, and it was evident again as he knocked down four of five attempts from beyond the arc. Steady, reliable, and impactful throughout the season, Holt has firmly cemented himself as a top-five player in the 2026 class and a premier long-term prospect for the 2027 NBA Draft.
Bruce Branch 6’7 195 SF – Prolific Prep 2026 (Undecided)
The intrigue surrounding Bruce Branch continued at the Hoop Hall Classic, as he consistently stood out on the floor despite being one of the youngest players in the 2026 class following a late reclassification. A key contributor for Prolific Prep throughout the season, Branch carried that momentum into Springfield. Despite the loss, he flashed his two-way impact and long-term upside, finishing with 18 points and six rebounds on 14 shot attempts while holding his own against older competition. An elite athlete with length, fluidity, and natural feel, Branch moves effortlessly on the floor and impacts the game beyond the box score. While his perimeter shooting remains a work in progress, he went 2-for-8 from three in this outing, but the foundational tools are clearly in place. With continued development and the right college fit, Branch has positioned himself as a potential top-five pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Christian Collins 6’8 200 SF/PF – St. John’s Bosco 2026 (Undecided)
Christian Collins continued to assert himself at the Hoop Hall Classic as one of the top players in the country. Facing the reigning high school national champions, Collins separated himself as the most impactful player on the floor. At 6’8, he showcased his versatility operating both on and off the ball, finishing with a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds on 19 shot attempts. His smooth shooting stroke and high release point proved difficult to contest, as he connected on four three-pointers. Paired with a strong feel for the game and a relentless motor, Collins consistently distinguished himself from his peers. As he continues to mature physically and add strength, he is widely projected as a firm lottery-level prospect for the 2027 NBA Draft.
King Gibson 6’5 180 PG – Spire 2027 (Undecided)
King Gibson emerged as one of the top junior performers at the Hoop Hall Classic, leading Spire to two wins over the weekend. He averaged 19 points, three rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three, consistently pressuring defenses with his scoring versatility. Gibson proved effective at all three levels and showed a strong feel for creating quality looks for teammates. His size and strength also translate defensively, allowing him to guard multiple positions and add value on that end of the floor. Now in his second season under Kevin Boyle, with another year ahead in the system, Gibson has positioned himself to remain firmly among the top guards in the 2027 class.
Abdou Toure 6’6 185 SF – Notre Dame 2026 (Arkansas)
Abdou Toure consistently energized the crowd in his lone appearance at the Hoop Hall Classic. Despite the loss, he showed why he is regarded as one of the premier athletes in high school basketball, repeatedly imposing his will at the rim. Toure was the second-most impactful player on the floor behind Jason Crowe, competing with force and intensity on both ends. His elite athleticism and strength allowed him to cover ground effortlessly, pressure the defense, and make plays above the rim. He finished with 31 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks on 30 shot attempts, setting the tone with his nonstop motor and vocal leadership. If Toure continues to refine his skill level and develop a more consistent perimeter jumper, his physical tools give him a clear path to becoming an NBA player.
Deron Rippey 6’1 175 PG – Blair Academy 2026 (Duke)
Deron Rippey delivered a standout performance at the Hoop Hall Classic, leading Blair Academy to a convincing win. He finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists on just nine shot attempts, helping fuel a 26-point victory. The Duke commit showcased a well-rounded skill set, scoring in a variety of ways while using his strength and athleticism to pressure the defense. Rippey consistently got downhill, made sound decisions with the ball, and created easy opportunities for teammates. He also energized the crowd early, throwing down multiple explosive dunks with his head near the rim in the first half, before punctuating the win with an alley-oop finish after the break. Combining elite athleticism with strong intangibles, Rippey further solidified his status as one of the top recruits in the country.
Kayden Allen 6’5 210 SF – LUHI 2026 (Cincinnati)
Kayden Allen reinforced his standing as one of the nation’s top scorers with a strong two-game showing at the Hoop Hall Classic. Despite team struggles, Allen consistently stood out as one of the most impactful players on the floor in both contests. He averaged 18 points and four rebounds per game while shooting 43.75 percent from the field, knocking down two three-pointers in each outing. A powerful athlete with a quick first step, Allen repeatedly broke down defenders and finished at or above the rim with ease. His scorer’s mindset and physical tools project well to the next level, where he is expected to take on a significant role at Cincinnati. As his game continues to evolve, a professional future remains firmly within reach.
JJ Crawford 6’4 160 SG/PG – Rainier Beach 2029 (Undecided)
JJ Crawford emerged as the premier underclass performer at the Hoop Hall Classic, displaying poise well beyond his years in his lone appearance of the weekend. Sharing the floor with the No. 1 player in the country, Crawford more than held his own against an elite Bishop McNamara group loaded with Division I seniors. For long stretches, he was the second-most impactful player on the court, finishing with 32 points on 22 shot attempts. He showed flashes reminiscent of his father with tight ball-handling, pace-pushing in transition, and consistently sound decision-making. Crawford’s scoring versatility stood out most, as he repeatedly found his spots, finished through traffic, and knocked down six three-pointers with a smooth, confident stroke.
Photo: Heysuavphotography/IG
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