© Matt Stone / The Louisville Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in Rivals.comleader in college football and basketball recruiting coverage. Be the first to know and follow your teams by signing up here.
With the July grind of the summer circuit season in the rearview mirror, Under Armor Elite 24 almost feels like a fun finale for some of the best basketball players in the country.
Still, for a handful of prospects competing in the game, fighting in Brooklyn tonight will be personal as they strive to make lasting impressions in the summer final.
Here are five prospects who could benefit from a strong presence at the event.
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2025 Ratings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2026 rankings: Rivals150
Transfer Portal: Full coverage | Player rating | Transfer Tracker | Player search
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Shon Abaev2025, SF: Abaev had one of the most dominant summers of any prospect on any circuit, scoring 20.6 points per game for SOH Elite at UA. The left-handed shooter ranks 46th overall in the Rivals150 but has the opportunity to make a lasting impression come the end of the summer, with a plethora of higher-rated prospects to potentially overcome.
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Eli Ellis2025, PG: Ellis has a following on social media and flash, but that hasn’t translated into an extreme rise in the rankings. Ellis is a pest of a competitor with the ability to get to his spots on the floor and a shooter’s ability to hoist and drain threes from range in the NBA with one of the quickest releases at his position. Last season, Ellis averaged 33.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game for YNG Dreamerz in the Overtime Elite League. This type of setup is tailored to his game and has the potential to help him rise from 97th overall.
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Malaquias Moreno2025, F: Moreno made a big leap in the latest ranking release, rising 35 positions, to 22nd overall in the ranking. Rivals150. He has only strengthened his position since then, finishing the adidas 3SSB season as the league’s top dunk player with 33 slams this summer. This speaks to his intensity and energy on the offensive end, which consistently transfers to the defensive end of the court. Moreno’s stock continues to rise as a finisher with great footwork, hands and awareness as a great two-way player.
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Dylan Mingo2026, PG: Mingo was injured for most of his high school season and as a result missed the highlight trip that Long Island Lutheran had. After a strong season with the PSA Cardinals, Mingo’s stock soared, earning him a solid reputation as arguably the best point guard in the class of 2026. His ability to score points on the court and run the show has college coaches from high level align with two full years of high school ahead. Mingo has the awareness and IQ to potentially break the assists record. He is currently ranked 12th overall on Rivals150.
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Bryson Tiller2025, SF: Expect Tiller to be guns blazing to remind the country of its capabilities. Injuries have plagued the 6ft 1in forward in recent months and as a result he has dropped eight places to 14th overall in Rivals150. Still, Tiller has one of the most well-rounded games in the class, with three-level scoring ability combined with strength, skill and athleticism. Tiller will likely look to make a statement at this point as he awaits his return to the top 10 and beyond.
