Continuing our coverage of the ever expanding trend of West Region fall basketball, we took in the absolutely loaded High School Fall Invite. A collaboration between EHA Circuit and NXT Up Hoops, the HS Fall Invite had games last week at various locations in Southern California, giving fans, college coaches, and scouts/media members alike the opportunity to hit games that made the most sense to them logistically. Taking in parts of the first two days in person with the rest via a reliable stream courtesy of Baller TV, the HS Fall Invite provided an outstanding opportunity to get an early season look at some of the nation’s elite prospects.
Prep powers such as AZ Compass Prep, CIA Bella Vista, Utah Prep, and SoCal Academy joined many of the traditional SoCal high school staples for a number of nights of competitive basketball in prep vs scholastic matchups. With over 100 D-1 coaches taking in the action at the HS Fall Invite, plenty of scholarships were earned and players got no shortage of film to share with all games being streamed.
#2 ranked in the country Demarcus Henry DOMINATED at the HS Fall Invite and is building a serious case for that #1 spot heading into his senior season! 😤😤 @demarcushenry15 pic.twitter.com/vjQRuBRcBN
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 28, 2026
All in all, EHA founder Julius Von Hanzlik and NXT Up's Gabe Hekmatiaz did an amazing job of bringing top shelf pre-season basketball to Southern California during the middle of the week in September.
Here's an in depth look at some of the five star talent from our time at 2026 HS Fall Invite:
DeMarcus Henry, 6'7, SG/SF, AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.), 2027
The highest ranked player at the event lived up to his reputation, showing the ability to score at all three levels for powerhouse AZ Compass Prep.The lefty swingman has a silky smooth jumper from the 3-point line, will pull-up at the drop of a dime off the bounce, and can finish high above the rim with his straight line attacks. The son of late NFL wide receiver Chris Henry is certainly carving out his own legacy as one of the truly elite wings in the class of 2027.
Will Conroy Jr. GOES OFF For 41 Points With 31 Coming In The 2nd Half 😤🪣https://t.co/j4jnExdqtd@CHILLCONROY @hsfallinvite @JuliusVElite0 @coachjulian pic.twitter.com/UceRzB3fcH
— The Hoop Spill (@TheHoopSpill) September 25, 2026
Will Conroy Jr., 6'1, PG, Village Christian (Calif.), 2029
Building off of an outstanding Pangos Ron Massey Memorial, Will Conroy Jr. showed why he is completely able to control the game as good as any floor general in the class of 2029 at the HS Fall Invite. The sturdy playmaker totally controlled tempo as he pleased, played with physicality on both ends, and reminded everyone how much of a scoring threat he was during his 41 point outing. The son of former NBA lead guard and current USC assistant Will Conroy, the next level IQ that he possesses is evident to any onlooker within their first few minutes of evaluating.
Navorro Bowman Jr., 6'3, PG/SG, Notre Dame HS (Calif.), 2027
As far as two way guards are concerned, few have gained more traction nationally at the top more than NaVorro Bowman Jr. Equally adept at playing either backcourt slot, the future McDonald's All-American showed that he can take over games as a scorer, can collapse defenses to create for others, and puts his strength and quick hands to work defensively as a nuisance. While guards such as Beckham Black and Reese Alston may be more dynamic offensively, NaVorro reminded us that you won't find anyone who impacts the game more on both ends at the HS Fall Invite.
Evan Willis, 6'8, SF/PF, Utah Prep (Utah), 2028
Arguably the most bouncy player in the nation, Evan Willis made the move to Utah Prep for his junior campaign and is already showing a new level of assertiveness with his new squad. The freak athlete got his head at the rim with plays on both ends of the court, was much more engaged on the defensive end, and showed a reliable pull-up jumper en route to a 30-point performance against Sierra Canyon. A consensus top-15 recruit, Willis is also getting it done off the court, having signed with industry power CAA and already having inked an NIL deal with Puma.
Shalen Sheppard, 6'8, PF, Santa Monica Crossroads (Calif.), 2028
Matched up against a So Cal Academy squad that is loaded with size and athleticism, Shalen Sheppard showed the type of crafty game that has made him a special prospect. The inside/out forward had a number of quick finishes over the top of bigger defenders, stretched the defense out to the 33-point line, and was an elite passer both out of the post or facing up. The level of skill and improved athleticism that Shalen exhibited makes him one of the more interesting forwards to watch in the class of 2028.
Zion Green, 6'9, SF/PF, AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.), 2027
A simply tantalizing prospect, Zion Green proved that he is capable of playing either forward spot at nearly 6-foot-10. The face-up senior is effortless shooting the ball from the 3-point line, is willing to post smaller defenders on the block, and is starting to realize the potential that he has defensively. While he is ranked just outside of five star status the moment, the five start talent is certainly there within the Camden, N.J. native.
