ZGXL Session I Standouts
The first session of the 2026 ZGXL season took place this past weekend in Manheim, Pennsylvania. Teams from all around the East Coast traveled and contributed to a great weekend of hoops. Here are some standouts from the action.
BJ Simmons is a solid 6’6” wing prospect for schools in the Northeast to have on their radar. The IQ Elite 2027 offers some versatile shotmaking using his size and catch-and-shoot prowess to make an impact from outside, or post moves and footwork to score around the rack. Had a college coach in the building add him to his recruiting list.
Jemel Blyden started the event off with a bang on Saturday morning for the RI Knights 15u squad as the 2030 had a stretch of pure dominance. In a close game, Blyden was all over the place, using his motor and length to score at the basket and rebound the ball. He had to have scored at least 10 points in the last six minutes of a good win playing up as an eighth grader.
Rayan Elghaly is an unsigned senior who saw a ton of success this past weekend with Team Together. The 6’6” wing has a smooth stroke from beyond the arc and is good at getting to his spot in the midrange and knocking down jumpers. He is in constant motion on the offensive end, setting good screens and cutting to the rim for easy layups.
David Duncan is a Junior with a ton of upside with his footwork, frame, and ability to score in the post. He was able to use his length consistently throughout the tournament to grab high level rebounds and position himself well in the post to create easy scoring opportunities. His play helped lead EEP’s 17u ZGXL team to a 4-0 weekend.
Elijah Coates was one of the quickest and craftiest players in Pennsylvania at The Summit. He gets downhill well with his ball handle and speed, and can finish plays in unique ways around the rim. Defensively, he gets low and guards the perimeter at a high level, and was able to force a few turnovers for HIM League.
Tyler Lombardo was scoring effectively from all three levels this weekend for NY Finest 17u ZGXL squad. He has a nice frame and size that allow him to back people down in the post, and he found a ton of success with the fadeaway mid-range jumper. On the defensive end, he walls up and looks to rebound every shot that goes up.
Maleek Hopkins is an eighth grader who made big-time plays for Cecil Strive’s 15u ZGXL team all weekend long. The way he utilizes screens to drive downhill and either finish through traffic or dump off to the big was noteworthy at his age. Defensively, his length allows him to play laterally and keep his opponents in front of him.
Austin Taylor was one of the smartest guards in the gym all weekend long. The sophomore was good at both finding teammates in a set offense and also transition, showing off his ability to make tough passes. He can also get buckets of his own as he knocked down a few threes in a dominant win for Metroball DC 16u ZGXL team.
Jordan Bowers was electric this weekend for PA Flight’s 17u ZGXL squad, knocking down contested jumpers and throwing down slams at the rim. The way that he moved around the floor on the offensive end set him up for easy knockdown jumpers, which he hit at a good clip. His blend of length and mobility allows him to guard multiple positions.
Xavier Holley was one of the best shooters in the gym all weekend for HC United 16u team. He was able to knock down deep, contested threes multiple times down the stretch of a close game. The confidence and shooting mechanics contributed to his impressive performance. He is smart and plays aggressively on the defensive end of the court.
Matheus DaSilva out of Milford, Mass showed out this weekend with his strong frame and fluidity with the ball in his hands. Knocked down a good amount of catch and shoot threes and was able to get downhill and score around the rim. His broad frame made him a menace on the defensive end, being able to guard players bigger than him effectively and get deflections.
Josh Jenkins out of Barnstable High School and playing with Dana Barros 17u ZGXL team is a super athletic combo guard that can shoot the cover off the ball. He was able to get up and grab rebounds at a good rate and move the ball quickly in transition. His shooting mechanics also allowed him to knock down multiple treys in their 4-0 weekend.
Roland Blood is coming off a standout freshman year with Hudson High School and continued his play with Central Flights 16u ZGXL team. The speed he plays the game with and the control he has with the ball in his hand give him the ability to stop on a dime and shoot or pass. Next year he will be attending Beaver Country Day School.
Finley Ball had a good showing with the Syracuse Nets 16u ZGXL team at Spooky Nook this past weekend. With the ball in his hand, he shows good pace and control within the offense knowing when to spot up and shoot the jumper or make quick passes to open teammates. Sophomore out of Central New York will be a name to know.
Grayson Skeeter of IQ Elite was showing out all weekend with his decision-making and ability to stop on a dime. He is a good lead guard and can handle the ball well to get himself in positions to finish around traffic or dump off passes to the bigs. True facilitator that sees the whole court and makes good cross-court reads.
Jarrett Artis is an impressive college prospect for the Jersey Aces that we made note of this weekend. Bit of a smaller wing that makes up for it with his speed and physicality. He’s able to jumpstart transition opportunities with his rebounding and pushing the ball up the floor, while offering upside as a pull-up shooter.
Efrain Brown Jr has had a stellar week at both the Unsigned Senior Event in Worcester on Wednesday and then with Team Ready 17u ZGXL squad at Spooky Nook.. His size in the post makes him a rebounding threat on both ends of the floor as he generates many second-chance points. Good get for schools still looking to fill out their rosters.
Malakeye Walton kept defenders on their toes all weekend with his smooth ball handle and ability to get to the rim. Playing for Team Fury’s 16u ZGXL team, he runs the offense and can make good reads with the ball in his hand. When he drives downhill, he gets crafty finishes over bigger defenders.
Zy’Air Kendrick was dominant for the SJ Titan’s ZGXl team this past weekend at The Summit. He is a pest on defense with his speed, being able to jump into passing lanes and create turnovers, and also moving well laterally. The Junior guard utilized his speed to attack the rim and either score or kick it out for knockdown shots.
Jadiel Peguero was assertive on both ends of the floor for The Base. He is a smart player that makes good reads offensively to either get buckets on his own or find teammates cutting to the rim. Defensively, he got his hand in the lane and was able to turn defense into offense. He is a junior out of Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Efrain Brown