Evan Strimel is a tough, hard-nosed 5’7″ point guard from Geibel Catholic High School in the class of 2026. 

Don’t let the height fool you, this young man plays bigger than his frame. 

With a 3.8 GPA and a dual-sport background that includes baseball, Evan brings a unique combination of IQ, quickness, and competitiveness to the floor. 

He’s the kind of player who refuses to back down, always looking to make a play, set the tone, or ignite a run.

Evan is a scrappy, confident three-level scorer who understands how to manage tempo, control the game, and attack mismatches. 

Whether it’s knocking down a pull-up jumper, finishing through contact, or threading a no-look pass in transition, Evan’s decision-making and feel for the game stand out. 

He’s vocal on the floor, poised under pressure, and shows advanced leadership skills that translate well to the next level. 

His AAU reps with AIT/NXTPRO out of Pittsburgh have added more polish and confidence to his overall game.

Strimel plays with a chip on his shoulder, he does all the little things that win games and keeps coaches watching. He’s the heartbeat of any team he’s on.

Strengths 

• High Basketball IQ

• Confident Floor Leader

• Three-Level Shot Maker

• Competes Every Possession

• Strong Decision Maker

• Tough On-Ball Defender

• Excellent Court Vision

• Plays With Swagger

Areas to Improve 

• Increase Strength Base

• Improve Left Hand

• Enhance Defensive Footwork

• Expand Range Consistency

• Improve Shot Selection

• Read Help Defense

• Stay Low Defensively

• Develop Float Game

College Projection

• Low D1 Potential

• High Academic Fit

• JUCO Steal Option

• Strong D3 Contributor

Conclusion Summary 

Evan Strimel is a driven and confident point guard with a winning mentality and a versatile skill set. 

He brings grit, intelligence, and vocal leadership to every possession. 

A product of Pittsburgh’s competitive basketball scene, Strimel continues to develop into a guard that college programs should keep tabs on, especially those looking for toughness, brains, and a proven competitor. 

His game fits well in systems that value tempo control, spacing, and team-first play. 

As he continues to mature physically and expand his offensive toolbox, Evan Strimel has the potential to be a hidden gem in the 2026 class.

Jatyn Barkus, a 6’3, 175-pound combo guard out of Rhinelander High School and a standout for UTC Fire National 17U, brings the kind of versatility and tenacity you love to see in a high-level backcourt player. 

With a unique combination of size, strength, and skill, Barkus is a two-way threat who thrives in both on-ball and off-ball roles. 

Offensively, he is capable of attacking the rim with power, using his athleticism and body control to finish through contact, even throwing it down in traffic. 

He’s also a consistent shot-maker off the dribble and catch, which allows him to thrive in half-court sets and transition play. 

On defense, Barkus takes pride in locking down the opposing team’s best player, using his quick feet, physicality, and sharp instincts to cause turnovers and frustrate ball-handlers.

His basketball IQ is also notable, he understands spacing, moves without the ball, and knows when to make the extra pass. 

Barkus views himself as a smart decision-maker and a playmaker who can get teammates open with strong vision and timing. 

He shows leadership, toughness, and a willingness to do the dirty work, all traits that translate well to the next level.

Strengths 

• High-Level On-Ball Defender

• Explosive Rim Attacker

• Strong Basketball IQ

• Plays Through Contact

• Versatile Guard Skillset

• Great In Transition

• Confident Shot Creator

• Unselfish, Team-First Mentality

Areas to Improve 

• Tighten Advanced Passing

• Develop Weak Hand Finishing

• Improve Shot Selection Consistency

• Refine Half-Court Decision Making

College Projection 

• Mid-Major D1 Ready

• Could Climb Higher Ceiling

• D2 All-Conference Potential

• High-Level JUCO Option

Conclusion

Jatyn Barkus is a high-ceiling guard who brings toughness, athleticism, and competitive edge to every possession. 

His ability to defend, attack the rim, and create offense, both for himself and others, makes him an intriguing recruit for coaches at the next level. 

With continued work on his passing polish and decision-making in set offenses, Barkus has the tools to impact a college program immediately. His motor, coachability, and mindset are elite, and that’s what separates good players from great ones. 

Keep a close eye on this young man out of Wisconsin, he’s coming for everything.

At 6-foot-11, Avery Coles is the kind of big man who changes the energy in a gym the moment he walks in. 

A true stretch 5, Coles blends rare size with a smooth skill set that extends beyond the paint. 

He plays with a calm but commanding presence, often making the right read, the right pass, or the right rotation on defense. 

Whether he’s spacing the floor with a confident jumper or sealing off defenders to control the post, Coles understands the nuances of high-level basketball.

He’s a high academic student-athlete with a 3.9 GPA and an advanced course load, which speaks volumes about his discipline and coachability. As the District 6AA Regular Season and Tournament MVP, and Region 3AA Tourney MVP, Avery has consistently proven that he can perform under pressure. 

His Christian faith, humility, and leadership make him a well-rounded prospect both on and off the court. 

While he still has areas to refine, particularly his strength and explosiveness, his ceiling is extremely high. 

With continued development, Coles projects as a major contributor at the Division I level and possibly beyond.

Strengths

• Floor-spacing big man

• High basketball IQ

• Strong team leadership

• Excellent court vision

Areas for Improvement

• Needs more explosiveness

• Add upper-body strength

• Improve lateral quickness

• Develop post counter-moves

College Projection

• High-major D1 potential

• Power Five upside

• Long-term pro prospect

• Starter-level recruit

Conclusion

Avery Coles is not your average high school big man. 

His combination of elite size, floor-spacing ability, and basketball intellect makes him a rare prospect in the 2026 class. 

Backed by academic excellence and strong character, he checks off every box coaches look for at the next level. 

As he continues to fill out his frame and elevate his athleticism, expect his recruitment to intensify. 

Coles has the tools, mindset, and work ethic to thrive at a high-major D1 program. 

He’s not just a big with potential, he’s a young man built for the modern game.

At first glance, Caden Brickey already stands out for his poise, toughness, and high basketball IQ. 

A gifted combo guard out of West Ridge High School in Blountville, Tennessee, Brickey brings a mature edge to the floor far beyond his years. 

His versatility allows him to run the offense as a point or take over as a scorer when needed. 

His approach to the game is built on discipline, mindset, and relentless self-improvement. 

What separates Caden from others in his class is his hunger to play against tougher competition. 

This past AAU season, he consistently played up – including 9th grade, 15U, and varsity-level tournaments – to test his limits and gain confidence under pressure.

Offensively, he’s grown into a legitimate three-level scorer who can finish through contact, pull up from mid-range, and knock down threes off the catch or dribble. 

He thrives in structured team play, moves well without the ball, and is unselfish – always seeking the extra pass. 

Defensively, Caden competes on every possession, using effort, anticipation, and lateral quickness to make life hard for opposing guards. 

His leadership is evident, and his “me vs me” mentality shows a long-term commitment to growth. 

As he continues to add strength and refine his game, Caden is positioning himself as a must-watch name in the 2029 class.

Strengths 

• Aggressive on-ball defender

• Three-level scoring ability

• High basketball IQ

• Strong team-first mentality

• Plays with confidence

• Tough under pressure

Areas to Improve 

• Increase upper body strength

• Quicker decision-making reads

• Improve left-hand finishes

• Handle pressure consistently

Projection 

• Division I mid-major guard

• High-level Division II upside

• Future scholarship-level player

• Leader on competitive roster

Conclusion :

Caden Brickey is on a steady rise with a game built on heart, skill, and discipline. 

His consistent work ethic and willingness to embrace challenges make him a high-upside guard to watch in the Class of 2029. 

Whether it’s pushing himself against older competition or staying locked in on defense every possession, Brickey is setting the foundation for long-term success. 

As his body matures and he continues to polish his skillset, college programs across multiple levels will take notice. 

Simply put, Caden isn’t chasing hype, he’s chasing greatness, and he’s doing it one rep, one game, and one season at a time.

Jordan Bustamante is a 6’1” guard from Edinburg, Texas, representing Robert Vela High School and the Behind the Scenes P32 AAU squad. 

A member of the Class of 2026, Jordan stands out not only for his physical tools but for his mental makeup and relentless work ethic. 

Weighing in at 180 pounds with a 3.8 GPA, he’s the type of student-athlete coaches at the next level dream about. 

He thrives in high-pressure moments, showing maturity, composure, and a strong desire to make winning plays.

What separates Jordan is his ability to compete with intensity on every possession. 

Offensively, he combines confident ball-handling with solid court vision, making him a dual threat as a scorer and facilitator. 

His jump shot continues to evolve, and his ability to finish through contact is highly advanced for a player his age. 

On defense, he is a disruptor, communicating well, staying in front of his man, and showing a real knack for anticipating passing lanes. 

He brings the same energy on the bench as he does in the game, a true team-first player. 

Jordan’s hustle, character, and love for the grind make him a name to watch in the 2026 class.

Strengths 

• Strong Ball Handling Skills

• Excellent On-Court Vision

• Physical Finisher Through Contact

• High Basketball IQ

• Tough Defensive Presence

• Competes Every Single Possession

• Leads By Vocal Example

• Academic Student-Athlete Leader

Areas To Improve 

• Consistency From Three Range

• Midrange Jumper Development

• Defensive Footwork Refinement

• Shot Selection Under Pressure

• Left-Hand Finishing Reps

• Pick-And-Roll Recognition

• Off-Ball Movement Sharpness

• Transition Decision-Making Speed

College Projection 

• D1 Mid-Major Ready

• High Academic Recruit Fit

• Potential NAIA Standout Guard

• Low D1 Rotation Player

• Juco To D1 Path

• Coaches Dream Locker Room

• Scholarship-Level Mentality Always

• Multiple Offer Potential Soon

Conclusion

Jordan Bustamante is the total package, gritty, focused, and driven. 

He’s more than just a basketball player; he’s a worker, a competitor, and a leader. 

With continued development and polish in key areas, Jordan projects as a legit college-level guard who will make an impact wherever he lands. 

His hustle, IQ, and coachable attitude give him a ceiling that’s still rising. 

The next two seasons will be critical in his growth, and college programs would be wise to start tracking him now.