Top Underclassmen Performers from Bama Jam, Pt I
HOOVER, AL—Our events have been stacked to the brim with high-upside underclassmen all spring. Like, we are over the moon for some of the potential in the 2025 and 2026 classes. Both look to be plenty strong. While there’s tons of developing, growing and maturing to do across the board, the youngins have proven that the future is as bright as ever.
This weekend in Hoover was no different than the rest of the spring at HoopSeen. The 15U and 14U divisions added new names for us to be excited about, and we got to see some more out of familiar faces. Here are some of the underclassmen who stood out to us at Bama Jam:
I’ve talked about how Georgia’s 2024 and 2025 classes look to be loaded with high-level forwards and wings. After watching Samples for the first time with the Canes this weekend, he has to be added to that group. Standing at around 6-foot-5 or so, Samples has the frame already. He’s long too. His physical tools were on display throughout the weekend as he proved to be a disruptive defender and imposing rebounder. This is not one of the situations in which a guy is just bigger than everyone else though. Samples has the skill to go with the size. He looked to be comfortable handling the ball, shooting from the perimeter, and being a secondary playmaker. After what I saw out of Samples this weekend in Alabama, it’s hard for me to not be intrigued by his upside moving forward. - Josh Tec
To put it simply, Landrew is a walking bucket. This guy can absolutely fill it up. Landrew led Selfmadeballers to a 5-1 record and a 14U championship game appearance. Landrew is already a bigger guard for his age, which makes him a mismatch at pretty much every spot on the floor. In Selfmadeballers semi-final game, Landrew poured in 28 points, including 5 3-pointers. That performance is indicative of how well he played all weekend. Just jot this name down in your notes for the future. He could be a player we hear more from in thee future. - Josh Tec
Givan is the guy you see from across the gym and think, “wow, that guy looks like someone to know.” Then, when you find out that he’s in the 14U division, and class of 2026, your jaw drops. He’s 6-foot-6 and towers above everyone in his agre group. The size draws you in, but his mobility keeps you locked in. He’s not lumbering or awkward by any means. Givan runs the floor better than most for his age and size. Obviously, he has plenty of development and growing to do, but it’s hard to not be enamored with his potential already. - Josh Tec
This year’s BamaJam was just full of surprises, and many players popped in to perform on the Hoopeeen stage. 6-foot-7 Caleb Wilson was a player that immediately caught my attention. He popped on my radar at last year’s elite preview camp, so I was truly excited to see this kid work. Wilson’s potential to be one of the top players in the future is through the roof. He has the size & length, can get up & down the floor, and has the skill to play multiple positions. Wilson has a nice stroke from the midrange and beyond and has a soft touch finishing at the rim. If he is not taken seriously around the rim, he’s likely to pull down just about every rebound. Defensively Wilson is also a threat and with his amazing wingspan, shot-blocking just comes naturally. - DC
If there was a more athletic underclassmen this weekend, I missed them. I mean, wow. From a pure athleticism perspective, Cunningham was a freak. He’s a physically imposing guard with bounce for days. He’s a walking highlight reel, and he’s super productive on both ends of the court. His size and athleticism allow him to guard everyone on the floor and boast high rebounding numbers. Cunningham led EAB to a championship and put a hurting on some rims along the way. - Josh Tec
Alabama Fusion’s 15u Salim London was absolutely spectacular at this year’s BamaJam. He’s a 6-foot-4 lefty combo guard that can really get things going from off the wing. London is a top-notch shooter from the three; he had back-to-back games where he knocked down five a piece. Though shooting is his bread and butter, London can also be a problem getting into the lane. He finishes strong at the basket and is quick to hit a defender with that mean crossover. He’s all about competing and winning, doing a little of everything to be great. The ceiling is high for this kid, so be sure to keep an eye out for Salim London. - DC
