Given the massive financial cuts that shoe companies have made over the past few years, independent AAU tournaments are back on the rise. Each region has a number of local promoters who not only blend “Mom and Pop” teams who are just giving kids a resource to go play, but also bring some of the nation’s finest shoe sponsored teams together under one roof to battle it out. Running year round tournaments throughout the east coast, Big Shots did exactly that with the 2023 Rock The Rock.

Held in conjecture with ESPN National Recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi, the Rock The Rock brought many of the top teams from Carolina and beyond under one roof at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center. There was no shortage of hostility between a number of the teams due to local rivalries, games were crazy competitive, and the talent level was ideal for an independent event.

Here are some of the standouts from the 2023 Big Shots Rock The Rock:

Sadiq White, 6’8, SF/PF, Team United 16U, 2025
One of the most versatile players in the class of 2025 on the defensive end, White defended all five positions at spurts at Rock The Rock. The lefty from Myers Park HS is fresh off a state title, was an explosive straight line driver, and was an absolute monster in transition. A top 25 player in the rising junior class, White will have his choice of virtually any school in the country to play his college hoops.

Chris Washington Jr., 6’8, SF, Tre Mann Elite 15U, 2026
As far as long term potential is concerned, Washington Jr. is right there with the best in the freshman class. The lanky swingman is creative off the dribble, has insane 3-point range, and has the versatility to play countless positions. The freshman already holds numerous D1 offers and is following Tre Mann’s footsteps as next in line at The Villages School in Florida.

Zymicah Wilkins, 6’8, PF, Team United 16U, 2025
In terms of production, there aren’t many better in the class of 2025 than Wilkins. While it may not be in the flashiest way, the burly power forward punishes defenders via absorbing contact for finishes, controlling the glass on both ends, and used his length to impact the game. Often compared to fellow North Carolina native Montrezl Harrell, Wilkins has the likes of Texas A & M, Mississippi State, and countless others actively pursuing him.

Gevonte Ware, 6’8, PF, 1 of 1 Rare 17U, 2025
After controlling the interior for 1 of 1 Prep during the high school season, Ware turned down playing for countless shoe programs to stay with 1 of 1 for the travel bell season as well. The powerful big was an example of consistency in 1 of 1’s undefeated weekend at Big Shots, blending a ridiculous high level of productivity with incredibly intriguing tools. Holding high major offers, Ware has firmly established himself as one of the elite big men that North Carolina has to offer for 2025.

Korie Corbett, 6’3, PG, Carolina Rebels 15U, 2026
Having heard of him but never seen him in person, it was great to see everything Korie Corbett brought to the table in Rock Hill. He is currently second in the EYBL’s E15 division in scoring with the Georgia Stars and carried over that level of play with the Carolina Rebels. Owning ideal size for a lead guard, Corbett is outstanding playing through contact, gets to the paint at will, and finishes with creativity. The South Carolina freshman made an impact at Ridgeview HS in Columbia and has shown that he can do the same with the nation’s finest on the circuit.

Cayden Daughtry, 5’9, PG, Florida Rebels 14U, 2027
One of the more productive guards in the event, Daughtry has already been producing on the varsity level for Somerset Academy in Florida, and was doing the same playing a year up at Big Shots. The playmaker was consistently in attack mode, got to the paint at will, and produced at a high rate all throughout the weekend. Florida high school hoops fans should be prepared for a very productive career out of Cayden Daughtry.

Trey Beamer, 6’3, PG, Team United 15U, 2026
A serious scorer, Trey Beamer showed that he could put up numbers at a high rate at the Carlisle School (VA) and did the same thing at Rock The Rock. Beamer is a super crafty scorer with deep range, can get two feet in the paint with ease, and has a nasty step through. Still under the radar nationally, Beamer has been creating quite the buzz amidst scouts for Team United in the EYBL.

Jeff Clark, 6’4, SF, Team Trezz, 2023
Playing as an unsigned senior, Jeff Clark had a simply monster showing against LaMelo Ball’s 1 of 1 Rare. The smooth wing was automatic with his pullup jumper, converted as a straight line driver, and shot it well enough from the 3-point line to keep the defense honest. Finishing up his career at New Garden Friends School (NC), Clark is one of the Tar Heel State’s more interesting players left on the board.