The high school group at Elite60 gave us established names, emerging prospects, and a few players who made sure they left with more attention than they arrived with. Athleticism was everywhere, but the players who separated themselves brought more than physical tools, showing feel, shot making, defensive impact, and an understanding of how to affect winning. The 2029 class was especially deep, with prospects producing across every position and playing style. Some confirmed what we already knew, while others gave us a reason to start paying much closer attention.
Vinicius Ciribelli | 6’8” | 2029
Ciribelli brings grown man physicality to the frontcourt and does not shy away from using it. He attacks the glass aggressively, embraces contact inside, and becomes increasingly active once he settles into a rhythm. What changes the matchup is his ability to step away from the paint and knock down the 3. At 6’8”, Ciribelli gives you muscle around the basket without having to sacrifice floor spacing.
Deuce Powell | 6’8” | 2029
Powell moves like a player much smaller than 6’8” when the floor opens up. He runs with purpose, gets himself involved early in possessions, and has the athletic tools to finish plays above the rim. Defensively, his mobility gives him the ability to handle different assignments instead of being confined to the interior. The bloodlines are there with his father Josh Powell having played in the NBA, but Deuce is developing an identity of his own.
Symeon Watson | 6’8” | 2029
Watson’s length gives him a different view of the game, and he knows how to use it. At 6’8”, he can see over defenders and make plays without rushing into crowded areas. His jumper can get hot quickly, giving him microwave scoring ability from the perimeter. Watson’s appeal comes from the number of things he can provide rather than being boxed into one role.
Jaiden Williams | 6’6” | 2029
Williams was the most explosive athlete in the building and made that clear every chance he got. He attacks the rim like every finish should end with a dunk and possesses vertical pop that should make him one of Metro Atlanta’s most exciting athletes this season. Williams is more than a runway finisher, though, showing the ability to put the ball down and create from the wing. At 6’6” with that level of bounce, his development will be fun to follow.
Arthur Ball | 6’6” | 2027
Ball looks ready to empty the tank during his senior season. He is strong, fast, and agile moving end to end, playing with a motor that keeps him connected to the action. His in between game gives him another avenue offensively when the rim is unavailable and the perimeter is being crowded. Ball has the physical tools and urgency to make his final high school season count.
Makel Stone | 6’4” | 2029
Stone’s growth was easy to recognize at Elite60. He has extended his shooting range while becoming more comfortable creating the space needed to get his jumper off. There is a slippery quality to his game that makes it difficult for defenders to keep him lined up. Stone is becoming a more complete shot creator, and the improvement is showing.
Chuks Ukperegbu | 6’4” | 2029
Ukperegbu treats rebounds like they belong to him. His strength allows him to carve out space, control the glass, and give opponents very few clean opportunities around the basket. He brings a softer side offensively with good touch around the rim and sets sturdy screens that create advantages for his guards. Ukperegbu understands how to make physicality useful instead of simply playing physical.
Micah Edwards Meade | 6’4” | 2028
Edwards Meade turned the dunk contest into his own creativity session and eventually walked away with the championship. The 6’4” wing is comfortable operating above the rim and has the body control to improvise once he gets airborne. That creativity also appears around the basket, where he can finish from different angles. His explosiveness gives him a tool that immediately changes how defenders have to meet him at the cup.
Kelstin Gaines | 6’4” | 2029
Gaines has a smoothness to his game that never looks hurried. His midrange jumper is a legitimate weapon, but what stood out was his willingness to wait for the right shot rather than settling for the first one available. He fits naturally into different lineups because he can defend, space the floor, and function without monopolizing touches. Gaines has the makeup of a plug and play 3 and D piece who helps possessions make sense.
Ashton Burt | 6’4” | 2029
Burt’s versatility makes it difficult to pin his offensive game to one area of the floor. He is crafty with the basketball, understands how to move without it, and uses his size to create different looks depending on the matchup. His offensive production separated him enough to earn Best Offensive Player honors in the Top 40 Game. Burt showed he can influence an offense whether the ball starts in his hands or finds him later in the possession.
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