Note Worthy Hoopers at the NXT 100 Northeast
The NXT 100 Showcase Northeast featured a talented mix of young prospects who competed with toughness, energy, and a willingness to impact the game in different ways. Several players separated themselves through their motor, defensive intensity, and ability to make winning plays beyond simply scoring the basketball. What stood out throughout the event was the amount of unselfishness on display, as guards consistently created for teammates while forwards embraced rebounding, rim protection, and the dirty work. The showcase also highlighted a number of players with developing skill sets and high upside, particularly those who combined feel for the game with athletic tools and versatility. From start to finish, the event provided a strong glimpse into the future, with numerous prospects showing the competitiveness and basketball IQ needed to continue climbing the ranks.
Jameel Sunkett | 4’9 | 2032
Sunkett was the smallest player in attendance but played with some of the biggest heart you’ll see. He defended well for his size, showing he wasn’t afraid to use his body to stay in front of opponents, making drives difficult and forcing extra passes. Offensively, he handled the ball extremely well and consistently got to his spots. One area I would have liked to see more from him was his floater game, as it could add another weapon to his offensive package.
Carrington Morris | 5’11 | 2030
Morris was another immediate impact player for his squad, simply because he plays with a different level of aggression than most of his peers. Handling the ball with a quick, tight handle to go along with broad shoulders made it tough for defenders to stop him from getting downhill. Just when defenders thought they had done enough, Morris was comfortable pulling up for the three-ball or the mid-range jumper. One part of Morris’ game that may have gone overlooked was his ability to distribute the ball and get teammates involved before looking for his own offense.
Alex Chadwick-Meyers | 5’5 | 2031
Chadwick put together a strong two-day performance, showing why he was not only one of the top guards in attendance but one of the best players overall. He displayed the ability to score at all three levels, knocking down catch-and-shoot opportunities from the perimeter, creating space for smooth pull-ups off the bounce, and finishing effectively around the rim. He also proved to be a capable playmaker. Defensively, his IQ consistently put him in position to generate steals and disrupt opposing offenses.
DJ Nelson | 6’4 | 2031
There was no answer for Nelson whenever he caught the ball down low. The lanky forward did a great job of finding ways to get open, whether that meant posting, reposting, setting a screen, or simply moving at the right time. Nelson showed great hands in traffic and a soft touch around the basket. A lot of the finishes he converted near the rim will likely be dunks in just a few months. Nelson was also a nightmare on the defensive side, altering and blocking a good percentage of the shots taken around him.
Joshua Gonzalez | 6’0 | 2030
Gonzalez is one of those forwards that’s great to have on your squad. Being able to knock down the mid-range jump shot to go along with a nice soft touch around the rim made him a tough cover at times. While his three-point shot wasn’t as consistent, he was more than capable of knocking it down when given the opportunity. Where Gonzalez was really huge was on the defensive end. His timing as a shot blocker stood out the most. He knew when to leave his feet, when to body up, and stayed disciplined for the most part.
Noah Douglas | 5’9 | 2030
Douglas was an immediate spark for his squad on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he ran the floor really well in transition, finished through traffic, and looked very comfortable getting into one- and two-dribble pull-ups. Defensively, Douglas was extremely tenacious, making opponents think twice before putting the ball on the floor around him. He left his mark instantly on the defensive side and brought a level of energy that impacted the game from start to finish.
Farrad Greene | 5’7 | 2030
There weren’t many players who rebounded the basketball and ran the floor as well as Greene. While he wasn’t a primary on-ball option, he consistently found ways to impact the game. His willingness to give extra effort is the type of trait coaches love and one that keeps him valuable on the floor. Greene also showed good hands and timing, catching passes in stride and finishing through traffic as well as through contact around the basket.
Isaiah Stephen | 5’3 | 2032
It didn’t take long for Isaiah Stephen to grow on me. The unselfish guard did a great job of setting his teammates up for easy buckets inside and out with his passing skills. Throwing no-look passes left and right kept defenders wondering where the ball was headed next. Aside from his playmaking, Stephen also showed his ability to score off the bounce when needed. He was more than capable of creating for himself while continuing to keep his teammates involved.
Chad Whiting | 6’0 | 2030
Mr. Energy and Effort is what I’d call Whiting because that’s exactly what he brings every time he steps on the floor. Offensively, Whiting was doing a little bit of everything without hesitation. Offensive put-backs, knocking down three-pointers, getting into the mid-range area, and finishing through contact were all part of his game. Defensively, Whiting was blocking a ton of shots, including some that no one thought he had a chance of getting to. His hustle is what consistently made those plays possible. As Whiting continues to improve his ball-handling and overall jump shot, he’ll become even tougher to stop.
Zach Chestnut | 5’3 | 2032
Chestnut was one of the most underrated performers at the showcase but made sure his name was known throughout the first two days. While his Day 1 performance was stronger than Day 2, Chestnut showed a ton of heart handling the ball against some tough defenders. He kept things simple in the backcourt when breaking defenders down. Two or three moves were often all he needed to get to his spots for smooth pull-up jumpers and floaters. The simplicity within his game made it hard to ignore what he was capable of doing. Interested in seeing the continued growth moving forward.
Dil’yen Ebron | 5’5 | 2030
Not many players can say they put together two solid days the way Ebron did. The much-improved guard displayed how much he has learned when it comes to picking his spots on the floor. From knocking down shots off the bounce to living in the paint where he consistently made plays for himself and others, Ebron was productive in a variety of ways. He showed that he cares more about winning than stats, but still had no problem stuffing the stat sheet. Defensively, Ebron was not a guard you wanted handling the ball in front of. He racked up steals, got on the floor for loose balls, and helped will his team to several victories.
Tanden Mills | 5’10 | 2030
Mills is one of those players who is always going to bring it on both sides of the ball. His energy never wavered, and he was one of the more unselfish players in attendance. Mills rebounded the ball really well, and his first look was always up the floor. It seemed like second nature for him to get the ball out of his hands quickly to the open man. Not because he was nervous or afraid, but because he understands the value of advancing the ball and keeping the game moving. Aside from his unselfishness, Mills displayed a smooth shooting stroke, a strong attack game, and played with a ton of positive emotion.
Elijah Roach | 5’8 | 2030
Roach is a guard who showed some quick bursts with the ball in his hands. He possesses good size for the guard position, which allowed him to rebound the ball with little trouble. One thing Roach did really well was attack poor closeouts. Often going baseline, he was able to get to the rim and finish effectively. When defenders failed to close out hard enough, Roach also showed the ability to make them pay by knocking down shots from beyond the arc.