You have had the opportunity to read parts 1 and 2 on the standouts that I saw at Global Grassroots Nationals from Birmingham, AL. Here is Part 3 that contains a few additional standouts that I saw at the event.…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inYou have had the opportunity to read parts 1 and 2 on the standouts that I saw at Global Grassroots Nationals from Birmingham, AL. Here is Part 3 that contains a few additional standouts that I saw at the event.
Allen Shaw V. / 4’8 / Combo Guard / Matt Bowers Chevy 2028 / Woodmere Elementary (Harvey LA)
Instagram: Cincoshaw_tgb
Allen is a 2029 kid playing up with his 2028 squad. I try not to get so excited about a kid at this age because so much can happen over the years, but Allen got me excited about his future in the game of basketball. If he keeps on working, the potential of this kid is unbelievable. In a much-anticipated game against Team SAC, Allen was the best player on the court this game. Whether it was scoring or facilitating, Allen was doing it. He is a creative ball-handler, an accurate passer, and a player with an immense scoring package.
His ability to stop on a dime, change speed, and change directions kept defenders guessing.
So as you see, even though I haven’t talked about his quick 1st step and his quickness with the ball in his hands, Allen gave me many reasons to be excited about his future. In the match-up against team SAC, Allen finished with a game-high 16 pts, with 12pts coming from behind the arc. Opportunities for Growth: At this age, the given focus has to be his overall game. I would also like Allen to continue working on his separation moves to get his shot off against bigger and longer defenders. Continue to work on on-ball defense.
Justin Frison / 5’7 / Point Guard / Memphis Bulldogs 2026 / Colonial Middle School (Memphis TN)
Instagram: yng.savage2
Justin was one of the most solid PGs at #GGN. The game in which I saw him play, he had a very mature performance. He demonstrated a good IQ for his age and picked his spot as he controlled the pace of the game. He made smart decisions with the ball in his hands and had very few turnovers while handling the rock majority of the game. He impacted the game without being a dominant factor in the scoring column, but he showed that he could score. He has a nice floater once he gets in the paint area.
In a 51-32 win over Middle Georgia Push, Justin chipped in 8 pts but definitely had double-digit assist.
Opportunities for Growth: When looking at the trajectory of J’s future, I would like to see him be more aggressive in taking scoring opportunities that become available. As he continues his journey, the threat of his ability to score will make it difficult to defend him. Continued work on his shot from behind the arc.
Khylin Wilson / 5’9 / Power Forward / New Orleans Celtics 2028 / Wilson Elementary (New Orleans, LA)
Instagram: N/A
Khylin was just bigger and stronger than his opponents in the match-up I saw. He dominated in the paint and on the boards as he was just more physical than the opposing team’s frontline. Khylin is on a very talented squad, and he is surrounded by an elite scorer who demands a lot of attention. With so much attention given elsewhere, Khylin was able to get offensive board after offensive board and had some easy put-backs.
From an athletic standpoint, he has a lot to work with and build upon.
Opportunities for Growth: Khylin has the athleticism but has to continue to work on his skill set. Learning to play in the pick and roll will help in his development as well.
Zachary Walker / 5’5 / Point Guard / Gators Elite (Canada) 2027 / St. Josephine Bakita (Canada)
Instagram: zach_ballin30
Zachary had a huge performance in a 46-48 loss to Alabama Fusion, but he did not let his team go down without a fight. He showed just why he is an emerging prospect from Canada and took advantage of the stage. When he is at the helm of the offense, he plays under control and makes sure that his team gets quality shots. In this game against the Fusion, Zach came out aggressive and was playing with major confidence. For the 1st half of the contest, Zach was the best player on the court. He had 14 of his team’s first-half 21pts. He is a skilled iso-scorer as he can get it done off the bounce, and he can knock down the trey ball. I love his game because he moves well without the ball, sprints on his cut, knows how to come off screens, and gets his body squared and feet set for a quick release.
He came off a screen late in this game to hit a huge trey to keep his squad close.
He is a player that we will hear more from, so remember the name. Opportunities for Growth: I am very excited about the development and growth of Zach over the next few years. I trust that his coaches, parents, and trainers will keep him grinding. I hope that Zach takes what I am about to say and allows it to burn in his heart. Down the stretch in this tight game, while things were going back and forth, Zach came down and was forced into a turnover, and his first initial reaction to the turnover was that he started walking back, then ultimately began running. Zach is too good of an emerging player to allow this to happen. You see it all the time with the greats in the NBA, how they run the ball down after turnovers. Zach, if you are reading, always remember next play, young fella. Give it everything on every possession, whether you are up 20 or in a back and forth contest like the one against the Fusion.
AJ Washington / 6’3 / Combo Guard / D5 Global 2026 / Westminster Catawba Christian School (Rock Hill SC)
Instagram: Yooo._aj
If you follow grassroots basketball, you know that they are loaded with talent when it comes to this D5 Global 2026 squad. From the scorers they have at the guard spot, to the big man in the paint, to the players coming off the bench that would be starting in other places, they bring it at every position. When we look at AJ, he is perhaps the most important player on the squad. He was one of the most athletic players in the 2026 division at #GGN, and he showed it everytime he stepped onto the court. He is extremely quick off his feet and has a quick second jump. He is strong on the low block as he posts smaller guards, and once he has a post touch, his footwork is exceptional.
Every time he was on the court, he was a man amongst boys as he dominated the boards.
Even though he is surrounded by lethal scorers, his ability to score is second to none. In a 64-44 route over SMB, AJ poured in game-high 21pts. AJ has the pedigree and the physical tools and coupled with his size, his trajectory might rival that of the others on this loaded squad. Opportunities for Growth: Continue to work on expanding his J beyond the arc. Defense is solid, but continue to work on his D because he can be incredibly impactful on both ends of the court, making his recruitment in a few years exciting.
This is article #3 coming out of the Global Grassroots Nationals. We hope you have enjoyed the 3 articles consisting of standouts that I saw at the #GGN tourney. Stay tuned as we are out there in some gym, and it may be near you, or better yet, in the same gym with you, and we are looking for who is NEXT!
