Southern California- Last weekend, Made Hoops hosted the Made West Mania Showcase. The primetime games and teams played at Cerritos College Gym and The Maps Sports Facility, with multiple other gyms and facilities used to house over 200 teams from all over the Western region and beyond. The showcase featured teams from the major shoe circuit companies (EYBL, 3SSB, and UAA), as well as teams from two of the new “shoe circuits” being represented (Puma/PRO16 and New Balance The Prelude). In addition to the circuit teams were plenty of the top independent programs on the West. Therefore, you had some big time cross-shoe brand match-ups and rosters filled with national prospects, including the class of 2025s top prospect and several of the class of 2026s top prospects on display. The event spanned 3 days, beginning on Friday evening and wrapping up Sunday afternoon.
This article takes a look at 20 standout players from the classes of 2026 and 2027, or current sophomores and freshmen. I was in attendance for Friday’s games at Cerritos and Saturday’s games at the Maps Facility before taking off around 5pm on Saturday evening. Consequently, there are various players from the 2026 and 2027 classes that performed well but I did not see them play live, which means they would not be included in this write-up. Below, I provide a brief description of how each player performed in the games I watched, along with any relevant statistics I gathered, a short description of each player’s skill set, and all relevant information for each player. Although this is a list of my top performers, the names are listed in alphabetical order and not in ranked order. I published an article that looks at 20 standout players from the 2025 class found in the link below. I begin this article with Maximo Adams.
6’7 Maximo Adams 2026 (JSerra/Gardena CA) Team Why Not 16 EYBL
Adams displayed his high level shot making capability from 3-levels at the MADE West Mania event and why he is a top 20 talent nationally for the 2026 class. Adams uses his long wingspan and athleticism to alter shots in the post and on the perimeter, controls the boards with the handle to push the pace in the open court, and has the court vision to make plays or create his own shots. Adams makes good use of the wide crossover to create separation off the dribble, the height to rise up and shoot over most defenders, and the long strides to get to the cup off the bounce. Adams is accurate from the 3-point line off the catch or creating his own shots and moves fluidly off the ball to get to his shot spots. Adams makes great use of his size advantage against smaller players to back them down with a smooth fadeaway mid-range jumper he hits with frequency. A lot to like about this sophomore prospect.
6’7 Cameron Anderson 2026 (Dublin/CA) Oakland Soldiers 16 EYBL
Anderson has a solid frame and good size as a forward with nice touch around the basket. Anderson is dominant on the boards, runs the floor well in the open court, and has good moves to score in the post with good touch on shots within 15 feet of the basket. Anderson has enough handle to push the ball off the glass, serves as a solid rim protector in the paint, and had an impressive dunk off the screen and roll in the half court setting. A lot of upside for Anderson and if he continues to develop a consistent perimeter shot to stretch the defense he would really boost his stock as a D1 prospect.
6’7 Tajh Ariza 2026 (Westchester/Los Angeles CA) Team Why Not 17 EYBL
Ariza, a consensus national top 10 prospect for the 2026 class, showed continued growth in his offensive arsenal and scoring prowess in Why Not 17s big win over Washington Supreme NB 17s, 85 to 54. In limited playing time due to the lopsided score early, Ariza scored 10 points in the first half of play and scored in a variety of ways. Ariza has solid handles, makes good use of the crossover to create space to get open shots, has gotten stronger to finish shots through contact, and has improved footwork to work off the pivot and create shot opportunities from the mid-range. Ariza has good court vision to find open teammates when on the attack or from the top of the key with the size to see over most defenses, but he is at his best when he is hunting shots off the dribble from the mid-range to the 3-point line, as his efficiency continues to improve. Future is bright for Ariza and he is putting in the work to up his game.
6’8 Christian Collins 2026 (Westchester/Los Angeles CA) Team Why Not 16 EYBL
Collins is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2026 class that has yet to become a national name but has the build and skill that high major programs look for and should break onto the national stage playing on the Nike circuit. Collins had 10 points in Why Not 16s win over WCE 16 UAA, but it was his all around skill that stood out on a court with a lot of high level prospects. Collins controls the boards and alters shots on the perimeter, as well as in the paint, he has the handles to push the ball up the court with the vision to find open teammates or take it coast to coast. Collins moves well off the ball, has the moves to create off the dribble, and uses his length and height to rise up and shoot over any defender, off the bounce or the catch. Collins is a versatile defender with the size to defend post players, as well as the agility and lateral quickness to stay in front of smaller perimeter players. The sky really is the limit for Collins and I would be shocked if he is not in the top 100 nationally for his class after the Summer.
6’4 Donovan Criss 2026 (Brennan/San Antonio TX) SA Future 16 PRO16
Criss may have been one of the biggest stock risers at the West Mania Showcase, as he dazzled and knocked down perimeter shots in a win over JGE 16 3SSB, 53 to 41, in front of a group of national and regional scouts early Saturday morning at The Maps Facility. Criss led all scorers with 26 points while connecting on 3 threes, showing off the range from deep off the catch. Criss has active hands and good length to disrupt passes or get into his opponent’s dribbling space, good foot speed and anticipation to create turnovers that lead to transition points, and is able to defend the 1 through 3 positions effectively. Offensively, Criss showed fluid movement off the ball to get to his shot spots, a smooth but quick release on the 3-ball, and the moves to create his own shots off the dribble with creativity on finishes around the basket. Criss attacks with good pace and body control, has good court vision to find open teammates, and has nice touch on the floater. Definitely a player to keep an eye on in the deep national 2026 class, as he has the game and potential to jump into the top 50.
6’4 JRob Croy 2026 (Riverside Poly/CA) West Coast Elite 16 UAA
Croy kept WCE 16s within striking distance in the first half against Why Not 16s, as he would score 9 of his 11 points before the break with a pair of threes off the catch and the dribble. Croy has solid handles, keeps the ball on a string, surveys the court to find the open cutters, and moves well off the ball for catch and shoot opportunities. Croy has the moves to create space off the bounce, looks to attack the defense off the wing, and has a nice stop and pop jumper or a crafty finisher around the basket. Croy plays with good pace and tempo, makes good use of the hesitation to keep his defender off balance, and can score in volume. Croy has a versatile game that fits well with this WCE 16 roster.
6’3 Jason Crowe Jr. 2026 (Inglewood/CA) Team Why Not 17 EYBL
Crowe is one of the best pure scorers in the nation regardless of class, as is evident with surpassing the 2,000 point mark as a sophomore, and he put that scoring prowess on display at the West Mania Showcase. Crowe would score 11 points in the first half of play, in limited action, in a blowout win over Washington Supreme NB 17, 85 to 54. He would follow this up with a 20 points showing in Why Not 17s win over Cali Stars Black 17s, 92 to 75, to lead his team in scoring. Crowe has elite handles and moves to create off the dribble, slices through defenses for creative finishes and tough jumpers in the key, and has the body control to absorb contact and still get his shot off. Crowe makes good use of the hesitation, changes pace fluidly in the open court, is accurate with the 3-ball off the catch or creating his own, and can spray shots from pretty much anywhere on the court as a 3-level scorer. Improving as a playmaker and facilitator, which will be a welcome part of his game with the talent on this Why Not 17 roster.
6’4 Andrew Hillman 2026 (Riordan/San Francisco CA) Oakland Soldiers 16 EYBL
Hillman is electric in the open court where he displays the athleticism and physicality to impact both ends of the floor. Defensively, Hillman has active hands to disrupt his opponent’s dribbling space, the strength to snatch the ball from his opponent, and has the quick bounce to alter shots on the perimeter, which all lead to turnovers and transition buckets. Hillman has moves to create off the dribble, a nice burst of speed off the bounce, and can raise up quickly over defenders in the paint. Hillman is effective with the jumper and has nice touch around the basket. Great motor and as he improves his perimeter scoring, he will continue to rise up the rankings as a national prospect.
6’1 Chace Holley 2026 (Inglewood/CA) Team Why Not 16 EYBL
Holley is a lightning quick lead guard that can score from 3-levels and lock up on perimeter players. Holley led Why Not 16s with 12 points in a great game that resulted in a win over WCE 16s, 52 to 49. Holley has dynamic handles, a great burst of speed off the dribble, is a creative finisher at the rim through contact with nice body control. Holley has the moves to shake his defender, the accuracy to hit shots off the dribble or the catch from the mid-range to the 3-point line, and makes tough shots off balance but under control routinely. Defensively, Holley has nice lateral movement and quick hands to poke the ball from opponents, is an undervalued rebounder, and plays with great pace and control in the open court.
6’3 Kalek House 2026 (Desert Mountain/Scottsdale AZ) AZ Unity 17 EYBL
House is a tough on-ball defender and a sniper from the 3-point line, which he displayed in the two games Unity played at the West Mania Showcase. House has the handles and moves to create off the perimeter, moves fluidly off the ball for catch and shoot threes, has a quick release on his jumper, and gets into the defense with good touch on the floater. House has nice footwork and agility to stay in front of his opponent, turns defense to offense with on-ball pressure, and does a solid job on the glass for his height and position. House scored 10 points in the first half of play, connecting on a pair of threes, in a lop-sided win over SA Future 17 PRO16.
6’2 Tavid Johnson 2027 (Francis Parker/San Diego CA) West Coast Elite 16 UAA
The freshman was cooking in the 2nd half of play for WCE 16s and led the spark that eventually gave the lead to WCE over Why Nots 16s before falling short by a score of 52 to 49. Johnson would score 10 of his team high 14 points after the break and displayed his nice mid-range game. Johnson has nice handles, keeps the ball on a string, moves to shake his defender, makes good use of the hesitation to freeze his opponent, and has nice touch on the floater down the lane. Johnson showed he can hit perimeter shots with frequency off the dribble or the catch and shoot and is a good on-ball defender that gets into his opponents dribbling space. One of the top freshmen in California looking to expand his name nationally on the UAA circuit playing up in the 16u division.
6’4 SJ Madison 2026 (Redondo Union HS/Redondo City CA) Team Why Not 16 EYBL
Madison has a physical build with the perimeter skills to play the 1 through 3 positions effectively, but at his best when he is looking to attack as a scorer. Madison scored 11 points in Why Not 16s win over WCE 16s in the early afternoon on Saturday, as he scored it from 3-levels and displayed the ability to attack off the dribble with the strength to muscle through contact around the basket. Madison gets good lift on his jumper, moves well off the ball to get open looks, and has the moves to create and separate from his opponent. Defensively, Madison has the physical build to switch off on bigger players and the lateral quickness to stay in front of perimeter players, does a nice job on the boards, and looks to push the pace of play off the glass in the open court. Madison has the body control to absorb and finish tough shots through contact and plays with good pace and control with the ball in his hands.
6’3 Julius Price 2026 (St. Joseph/Santa Maria CA) Team Why Not 17 EYBL
Price was knocking down the 3-ball, generating turnovers, attacking the basket through traffic, and finding open teammates in Why Not 17s big win over SA Future 17 PRO16. Price had 13 points and hit on a pair of threes (one off the dribble and the other off the catch), and showed he is ready for the big leagues playing on the 17u Nike Circuit and finally jumping into the top 50 nationally for the 2026 class, recently ranked #39 by ESPN. Price keeps the ball on a string, makes great use of the hesitation and change of pace to keep his defender off balance, has one of the smoothest jumpers in high school hoops, and is a marksman from beyond the arc. Price has great court vision, the strength to whip the ball to open teammates in tight windows, and the physical build to bully his way to the basket through traffic. Price has the moves to create his own shots and moves well off the ball for catch and shoot threes. Tough on-ball defender that creates steals and turnovers that lead to transition buckets.
6’4 Brandon McCoy 2026 (St. John Bosco/Bellflower CA) AZ Unity 17 EYBL
McCoy is in the mix for the top ranked player for the 2026 class, as 247 Sports has him at #1 and ESPN has him at #2, and he let his game do the talking and was one of the top players at the West Mania Showcase. McCoy is definitely one of my favorite players to watch live and he had multiple plays in AZ Unity 17s win opening night over JGE 17s, as he had it going in the first half scoring 13 of his 17 points before the break. In AZ Unity 17s second game, McCoy had his full skill set on display on both ends, scoring a team high 27 points in the win over SA Future 17 PRO16 and hit shots from all 3-levels, making it look easy. McCoy has one of the quickest 2nd and 3rd jumps off the bounce, combined with a long wingspan, allowing him multiple 2nd chance scoring opportunities and boosts his rebound numbers. McCoy makes great use of the wide crossover to create space, gets good lift on his jumper from the mid-range to the 3-point line, and looks to throw down in traffic when attacking the basket on the regular. McCoy plays with great pace, has the body control to take contact and get his shot off, and is accurate from the perimeter. McCoy is an elite on-ball defender that uses his range to deflect passes, block shots, and turn defense to offense in the open court routinely. When McCoy is hunting the mid-range jumper he is at his best, as this opens up the 3-point line and driving lanes for him to attack.
6’3 Isaiah Rogers 2026 (Centennial/Corona CA) Oakland Soldiers 16 EYBL
Rogers is making the jump from being on an independent club team last Spring and Summer to the Nike Circuit this year and he looked plenty ready in the Soldiers 16s win over Team Rampage 16s, 69 to 41. Rogers was in his bag and led the team in scoring with 14 points and a pair of threes. Rogers has shifty handles, keeps the ball on a string to survey the floor, has the court vision to find open teammates on the cut, and a great first step to attack the basket off the bounce. Rogers has the moves to create his own shots, fluid movement to get to his shot spots, and is accurate from the perimeter off the dribble or the catch. Rogers can light it up from beyond the arc and scores in volume quickly. He plays with nice pace and control and makes quality decisions with the ball in his hands. Rogers will look to break into the national rankings with his play on the NIke Circuit this Spring and Summer and will have the chance to accomplish this as one of the main scorers and ball handlers for the Soldiers 16s.
6’9 Connor Sheridan 2026 (Portola/CA) Oakland Soldiers 16 EYBL
Sheridan was one of the more impressive bigs in the 2026 class at the Made West Mania event and scored 10 points for the Soldiers 16s in its win over Team Rampage 16s. Sheridan has nice footwork, the post moves to create shots in the paint, and nice touch around the basket. Sheridan controls the glass, protects the rim, and runs the floor fluidly and fills lanes to receive passes in the open court for easy finishes. Sheridan showed he can hit the mid-range shot, which will pull bigger players away from the basket, and made some good passes from the high-post. Sheridan worked really well in pick and roll scenarios and was the recipient of a sweet lob and dunk from teammate Slim Rogers.
6’7 Tyran Stokes 2026 (Prolific Prep/Napa CA) Oakland Soldiers 17 EYBL
Stokes is the other player in the mix for the top spot in the 2026 player rankings, as ESPN has him at #1 and 247 has him at #2. Stokes did not have a great game scoring the ball in the Soldiers 17 opening game against WCE 17s, but he displayed his ability to impact the game in so many other ways and why he is one of the top overall prospects in high school basketball. Stokes got it going in the Soldiers 2-point loss to SFG 17 EYBL going for 19 points. Stokes has the physical build and athleticism to bully smaller players in the post, and the skill to create and get by bigger players on the perimeter. Stokes has good handles and moves to create off the dribble, gets into the teeth of the defense frequently, and looks to punch it in on opposing bigs trying to protect the basket. Stokes is a good rim protector, excels in the open court, and is effective from the perimeter with the jumper. Physical player that has room to improve, which is scary for opposing teams given he is already a top ranked player in his class.
6’9 Delano Tarpley 2026 (Brennan/San Antonio TX) SA Future 16 PRO16
Tarpley, similar to his teammate Donovan Criss, was one of the biggest stock risers from the 2026 class at the West Mania Showcase and one of the more polished bigs in the event. Tarpley dominated the post in his team’s win over JGE 16s, as he would display elite footwork, back to the basket scoring moves, and a soft touch on shots in the paint. Tarpley controls the glass, protects the basket, has the agility to step out and alter perimeter shots, and threw down a nice dunk off the drop step pivot move. Tarpley has the shot mechanics to be able to space the floor from the 3-point line and showed enough handle to push the ball off the glass. Played the big man position with an old school feel but agile enough to get up the court and receive passes up court in transition.
6’9 Cameron Williams 2026 (St. Mary’s/Phoenix AZ) Vegas Elite 16 EYBL
Williams was one of the more impressive long term players in the 2026 class at the West Mania Showcase and with continued development of his game and frame, he could rise up the player rankings, as he is currently ranked #41 by ESPN. Williams is accurate with the 3-ball off the dribble or the catch, enough handle to put the ball on the deck and attack the basket, and has nice touch around the basket. Williams controls the boards, can push the ball up the court, alters shots in the post with the length and lateral movement to close out on perimeter players, and showed solid court vision to make reads from the high post. Tons of talent in this young prospect and as his perimeter shots continue to improve, he will be a true threat in the post and on the wing.
6’5 Emilis Zibula 2027 (Veritas Prep/Santa Fe Springs CA) West Coast Elite 16 UAA
Zibula was one of the better shot makers from beyond the arc off the catch in the 2027 class at the West Mania event. Zibula had 11 points for WCE 16s in its tough 3-point loss to Why Nots 16s, 52 to 49, and connected on 3 threes in the process. Zibula moves fluidly off the ball, gets to his shot spots, has the length and size to shoot over most perimeter defenders, and enough handle and moves to get by bigger players on closeouts. Zibula is solid on the glass, can create off the dribble, and has a smooth pull-up jumper off the dribble.
