The two all-star games were pretty solid, though most of the learning came with the younger players in the Rising Stars Game at Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley High.
NC State signee Paul McNeil wanted to put on a show, but he ended up with a solid 17 points and three three-pointers. In a up-and-down game that focused more on acrobatic finishes near the rim, McNeil was hunting down his jumper like he normally does. A college S&C program will be great for him, but he’s a legit 6-5, 6-6.
The main junior target in the contest is Jackson Keith of Southern Durham, who had a nifty three-pointer and showed his bounce on a dunk. He’s not a one-on-one kind of player, so this was not ideal for him, but he cut it loose more than he normally does.
Sophomore Cole Cloer, who is a one-on-one sniper, had seven points and didn’t get too many touches. He’s the go-to guy to get in the class of 2026 for NC State.
Sophomore wing Markus Kerr, who is a year younger than his class, did well with 12 points. He does a nice job of slithering to the rim. I seem to be higher on Kerr than most, but he’s been pretty consistent when I’ve watched him.
NC State hasn’t offered junior Jaylen Cross or sophomore Trey Beamer, but both played well. Cross is a junkyard dog kind of combo guard who is more athletic than people assume. Beamer is undersized for a shooting guard, but has in the gym three-point range.
Wake Forest signee Juke Harris won MVP with a game-high 29 points in the win.
The Rising Stars Game had four of the top freshmen in the state of North Carolina, plus a Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler standout in combo forward Niko Bratton, who was really impressive. He’s played with Team United in the past.
King Gibson of The Burlington School, who is playing with Team Loaded on the adidas circuits this year, won MVP of the Rising Stars Game. He’s the most polished of the freshmen in the state and has been under a solid spotlight for the last year.
Clarence “C.J.” Rosser and Keyshawn Herring haven’t had that same spotlight, but it is coming. Rosser is 6-8 and skinny but is a sniper from deep. His mother played center at Virginia Tech, and he’s playing with Team United 15s and some with Team Trezz, and is from Rocky Mount (N.C.) Northern Nash. Already talk that Eric Leak is trying to get involved.
Herring is a dynamic athlete at point guard, can really finish at the rim and has boundless energy. He’s been bouncing around for travel ball, but maybe can settle in now with Team United 15s, and he attends Kinston (N.C.) High.
Freshman guard Josiah Johnson-Freeman should be tracking pretty good too from the Rising Stars game. He went to Charlotte Northside Christian, which just closed its doors, so he’ll be coveted by other colleges.
Charlotte Myers Park junior power forward Sadiq White defeated Cloer in the slam-dunk contest.
Josh Level Classic National Game
Warriors:
Juke Harris 29
Trey Beamer 17
Kendre’ Harrison 16
Zion Walker 12
Markus Kerr 12
Jackson Keith 12
Drake Powell 12
Jamias Fereoie 11
Bryson Cokley 8
Cole Cloer 7
NGFS:
Sadiq White 22
Jaylen Cross 18
Paul McNeil 17
Bobby Cannon 16
Lewis Walker 15
Isaiah Washington 13
Jeffrey Clark 13
Dionte Neal 7
Tybo Bailey 7
Richard Goods 4
Rising Stars Game for 2027/2028
Team Joe
King Gibson 27
Sherod McCormick 23
Josiah Johnson-Freeman 20
Andrew Rodgers 19
R.J. Moore 13
Isaiah Whitsett 12
Brayden Galtling 4
A.C. Pressley 4
Team Tree
Niko Bratton 25
Keyshawn Herring 21
Zi Phillips 20
Clarence “C.J.” Rosser 17
Aaaron Parker 16
Noah Dobyns 10
Joel Giant 8
Josh Young 6
