2023 Grassroots Showcase 16U Standouts II
LOUISVILLE, Ky—We're not too far off from the 2025 class—thus 16U divisions—taking a little bit more of the spotlight in recruiting. Coaches will start to take inventory and spend a little bit more time asking questions about names to know.
The Grassroots Showcase saw some great 16U action in the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center. These were some of the best in the division.
Related: 2023 Grassroots Showcase 16U Standouts
Week after week, Mosely is one of the most prominent factors behind this 2025 Norcross Heat team’s success. He’s been so consistent as one of the leaders of this team. Mosely added another good weekend to his resume. He’s just a tough guard. That’s what drives his success in my book. Mosely is at his best when he’s getting downhill and attacking the basket. He can handle physicality in the paint. We’ve seen him be able to catch fire from the 3-point line too. His game is proven at this point. His talent is undeniable. - Josh Tec
Waites had one of the best shooting performances of the weekend on Friday night, as he connected on nine three-pointers en route to 34 points in an AE5 Gold victory. That shooting performance carried on throughout the weekend — he shot a blistering 60 percent from behind the arc and averaged over 22 points per contest. In addition to his shooting, there’s a lot to like about Waites going forward. He’s got a strong frame that translates to the next level, along with some defensive instincts. I think Waites’ shooting will definitely be his calling card, but he’s a well-rounded player at this point.
We have talked alot about Howard over the past few weekends, and overall in the last couple of years. He is coming into himself more and more each time we see him. He’s a guy that has that look. The game has slowed down for him and he has all of the tools to be a college prospect. Howard can score from any spot on the floor, he has a large arsenal of ways to score the ball and he is growing. One play stood out to me over the weekend that we don’t see a lot of guys this age do and Howard impressed. It was something as simple as using the backboard on a mid-range jump-shot with a defender on him. It was old-school. He knew it was going in as soon as it left his hand and it was something that makes him different. He comes from a pedigree of college basketball players. His brother is a college basketball player at Navy and his dad played on the collegiate level at Charlotte. Howard is on the right path of joining them. - Justin Byerly
I was a little shocked to find out that Ambrose was still a freshman playing up. The 2026 guard plays with more poise than you see from guys his age, and he was playing up an age group. Ambrose is a point guard that can pretty much take the ball wherever he wants with some crafty moves and speed. He put up some solid scoring numbers too. When he attacks, he does so with purpose, with a plan. He’s not the biggest guard, but he has enough craft to be able to score at the rim consistently. Ambrose has great vision and dumps off some nice dimes. Keep an eye out for this young PG out of South Florida. - Josh Tec
Playing up two age groups as an 8th grader, Terrell didn’t miss a beat and fit right in with his teammates and the competition at the Grassroots Showcase. The 6-foot-2 guard is a cerebral floor general. He did a nice job seeing the next play a few passes before the ball came to him. Terrell was also a consistent scoring threat for The Truth 16U squad. He mixed up his scoring arsenal each game, whether it was converting tough finishes at the rim or making shots around the perimeter. Headed to Gonzaga Prep in Washington, D.C. next season, Terrell is one to watch going forward.
South Georgia Elite added Deng before the Atlanta Jam last weekend and boy has he made a difference. The 6-foot-8 4 man is a burst of energy on the floor. He has a constant motor that always runs no matter what end of the floor he’s on. Deng caused havoc on defense with his length and versatility. He blocked shots and guarded multiple positions each time out. The sophomore is intriguing on the offensive end of the floor, too. He has soft hands and made a couple of shots from 15-feet out. I like where Deng’s game and overall skill-set is headed.
Sam Mead really impressed for the Atlanta Allstars on Saturday morning. We’ve seen flashes of this kind of performance from him in the past too. Mead dropped 19 points in a win, and he played confidently and assertively. The 6-foot-4 guard can get it going from beyond the arc with deep range on his jumper. He used his threat as a shooter to attack closeouts and get easier looks closer to the basket. There’s a lot to like in Mead’s game. He could be someone who continues to level up over the next year or so. - Josh Tec
I got to see a little bit of Brooks at the end of last season. If I remember correctly, he was playing up in 16U or maybe even 17U at the time. His upside was apparent. This past weekend, he showed more of what I saw back then. He has a frame that screams next level, and he operates much like a playmaking wing for Team Wright. Brooks is a slasher through and through. He’s tough to keep from getting to the rim. Brooks is a strong wing and can muscle up down low. He’s so productive for Team Wright and has been for a couple of years now. - Josh Tec
