While there are plenty of players who have greatly boosted their stock in the region, here are five of the players who have continued to grow their game but have even higher upside. They all have varying level of recruitment but for sure can all play. 

Hank Alvey – 2024 – PF/C – MidPro Academy

Alvey is a big man that plenty of college coaches will be disappointed that they didn’t get in on. He stands at 6’9” with a solid build but moves well. Alvey is a tough scorer around the basket with the ability to score posting up and also shows expanded shooting range out to three. He has some division two offers with division one interest. The senior has only continued to get better and have such even greater upside.

Malachi Johnson – 2024 – PG – Greater Purpose Athletics 

Stock builder, great summer, plenty of upside, Johnson fits all of these categories. Every tournament throughout the spring and summer Johnson just seemed to be playing at a higher level and expect him to have a big senior year at Rockford Guilford. Not only is Johnson a player who can score in bunches and create for himself but also create for others. He has developed into an athletic point guard with a well-rounded skill set. Johnson is a player that should have scholarship schools looking his way. 

Nate Nazos – 2024 – PG – Mercury Elite

After all-conference and all-area honors as a junior, Nazos had a strong grassroots season with Mercury Elite. He ended the season with a tremendous performance at the Final Chapter tournament. He is a high IQ point guard with all the tools and a good ability to not only facilitate the ball but score it himself. He has interest from a number of division three programs and look for that to only continue during his senior year. 

Deunte Phifer – 2024 – G/F – REACH Legends

Phifer was recently named to the NY2LA Association 17U second team list and completely fits this list. He had a big spring with REACH, especially at the Grassroots Showcase, and continued to show more and more from there. A highly versatile and skilled wing with plenty of tools already for the next level. A true standout on the defensive end but also scores it in numerous ways well. He picked up his first offer from Eastern Michigan this summer and would expect more division one coaches to look his way. A player that is going to help a college win games with everything he does. 

Nolan Segner – 2024 – PF – Minnesota Magic

A real stock booster from the summer. He has some size at 6’7” and a well-rounded skill set and knows how to play. A good consistent shooter spotting up from three but is also an energetic and impactful player in the paint on both ends. He was offered at Dakota State University last month and is a player that could excel at the NAIA level with all his tools and upside.