The spring basketball market is becoming saturated across the country. With shoe-sponsored circuits, independent tournaments, and potential college visits virtually every weekend, the "off-season" really doesn't offer much free time to high school players, so they have to be selective about what events to attend. Playing in team events virtually every weekend since the high school season concluded, some players needed an opportunity to showcase their talents in a different setting.
Enter the Stellar Hoops Elite 60.
Held at Charlotte's Harding High School over the weekend, director Wayne Davis puts on two separate one-day, invite-only events just after the school year ends. Focusing largely on underclassmen and players who are flying under the radar, the Elite 60 2026 spring event brought both to the table.
Players such as Michigan State swingman Coen Carr (who shut down the 2023 Ballislife All American Game dunk contest), future first-round pick/Duke swingman Isaiah Evans, top-5 2027 DeMarcus Henry, Miami physical monster Somto Cyril, and top-10 2027 LJ Smith are just a few to have graced the court before they blew up. With players from 35 different states over the two-day event, there was no shortage of players who exhibited the potential to be in that next wave as well, as we recently saw in Charlotte.
We already took a deep dive into sophomores Kaharri Coleman and Chase Smith, as well as emerging Miami eighth graders 6-foot-8 Gabriel Gates and 6-foot-1 Eddie Rios III in our top performers article, here are six other underclassmen who left a lasting impression at the 2026 spring Stellar Hoops Elite 60:
Jaleel Smith, 6'1, PG, Hunter Huss HS (N.C.), 2028
One off the better lead guards in the Southeast, Jaleel Smith left his mark with his play on the final day of the Stellar Hoops Elite 60. The super crafty lead guard played with an outstanding change of pace, made a ton of unique finishes at the rim, and showed how he could impact the game on both ends of the court .Already having won a state title, possessing offers from the likes North Carolina State and Florida State, and running the show for Team United in the EYBL, Jaleel's track record speaks for itself.
Ben Varrie Jr., 6’4, SG, Benton Harbor St. Joseph’s (Mich.), 2029
A player I wasn't familiar with leading up to the event, Ben Varrie Jr. immediately left a lasting impression as a two guard who can fill it up at all three levels. He got to his pull-up jump shot with ease, showed 3-point range, and utilized his height to finish in the paint. Running with a rapidly emerging Michigan Unified squad on the New Balance P32 circuit, "BB" has the chance to be next up out of Benton Harbor.
Dillon Murphy, 6'6, SG/SF, TPLS Christian Academy (Va.), 2028
A wing with size, Dillon Murphy showed that his best days of basketball certainly lay ahead of him at the Elite 60. He has great size for a swingman, can make you pay with his -point shots, and will finish above the rim on straight line drives to the rim. Still flying a bit under the radar, the Henrico, Virginia product has everything you look for out of an emerging shooter with size.
Bray McNear, 6'6, SF, Great Crossing HS (Ky.), 2028
A high upside swingman, Bray McNear showed all of the raw tools that you look for out of a developing forward with size. He made an impact on the game with his lengh on both ends, was an intriguing straight line slasher, and converted high finishes in the paint. Making the cross town move from Scott County HS to Great Crossing HS (home of Kentucky McDonald’s All-American Malachi Moreno), McNear will have eyes on him in the Bluegrass State.
Max Leroux, 6'4, SG, Bluffton HS (S.C.), 2028
One of South Carolina's better sophomore guards, Max Lerou showed that he belonged at the Elite 60. The lights out shooter showed off effortless range and made defenders think twice about overplaying his jumper with a number of straight line slashes to the rim. Leroux's positional size and ability to shoot it make him a young name to remember out of South Carolina.
Talen Miller, 6'5, SF, Las Cruces HS (N.M.), 2029
Next up out of New Mexico, Talen Miller showed he belonged at the Pangos All South Frosh/Soph Camp and carried that over to the Stellar Hoops Elite 60. The physical wing shot the ball well from the perimeter, played through contact, and showed that he could post smaller defenders. Miller has experience running in the EYBL with out of state teams and is one of the better freshman that the Land of Enchantment has to offer.
Editor's Pick
Stellar Hoops Spring Elite 60: Top Performers