Under Armour Next Circuit: Top performers

Rock Hill, South Carolina – The Under Armour Next Circuit took over Rock Hill, South Carolina. Hundreds of players from across the country competed under one roof for three days and the first stop of the circuit.

Let’s discuss the top performers from the Under Armour Next Circuit.

On3 MVP: 4-star PG Chance Mallory (2025)

Each time that Chance Mallory took the court he made plays. The compactly built lead guard plays with the utmost confidence on each possession. He has a strong handle that gets him to his spots and the 5-foot-10 Mallory carries range that extends out to 35-plus feet. In the games I watched during this event, Mallory displayed an understanding of when to score and when to distribute. Good things seemed to happen when he had the ball in his hands and initiated the offense. Mallory is also a uniquely good rebounder for his position.

2. 4-star PG King Grace (2025)

King Grace is a very competitive player, and that might be the aspect of his game that stood out the most. He is aggressive at the point of attack, on both ends of the court. The 6-foot-2 guard has excellent anticipation in the passing lanes and uses his speed in the open floor. While he has an interesting release, which ultimately takes his guide hand off the ball for a one-handed release. He knocked down shots when his feet were set or he was able to step into one. Each game I watched, Grace went for over two points and had a strong two-way impact on the game.

3. 4-star C Kai Rogers (2025) 

There is something about a big man who plays big. Kai Rogers plays very big. The 6-foot-11 center has lengthy arms with broad shoulders and projectability. Rogers did well walling up around the basket and rebounding to end possessions. Rogers was consistently a lob threat around the basket, catching numerous alley-oops in traffic. He distributed the ball well and did some intriguing things when his Wisconsin Playground team went five out. He produces and he is someone who seems to be on a consistent upward trajectory.

4. 4-star PF Aliou Dioum (2026)

Aliou Dioum was a matchup question all weekend. The 6-foot-10 forward has a slender and athletic frame and he plays with a hot motor at all times. Offensively, Dioum was most comfortable facing up and taking his man off the bounce. He finished well at the rim, absorbing contact and finishing at the rim. Defensively, Dioum rebounded well and he showed versatility. He moved his feet with perimeter-based forwards and slid down to guard guys on the block. Dioum scored on the block and he finished with touch. On3’s No. 50 player in 2026 was wildly productive this weekend for the Gateway Select team.

5. 4-star F Joe Philon (2026)

This was a good viewing of Joe Philon as it showed a different aspect to his game. Playing with Blake High/FL Philon is a connector, someone who moves the ball and defends multiple positions. In this setting, Philon played in the ball and made decisions as the primary initiator. While that is not his long-term outcome, it is developing his game. Philon is a versatile defender, standing at a lengthy 6-foot-8, he moves his feet on the ball, gets in the passing lanes off the ball, and slides down to affect plays around the rim. He has good passing vision and can knock down a spot jumper. There is a lot of upside with Philon as he is On3’s No. 16 player in 2026.

6. SG Ian Miletic (2025)

This was my first live viewing of Ian Miletic and he did not disappoint. Standing in the 6-foot-6 range, Miletic has a pure left-handed jump shot which he uses as his primary weapon. Miletic does a good job of getting his feet set and playing on balance. He moves well with the ball handler and catches the ball ready to showcase his quick release. There will continue to be questions about his on-ball defense as he adds strength, but he is a good straight-line athlete who can finish above the rim when attacking a closeout. He is a high IQ player with good feel. The jump shot is the weapon.

7. 3-star PG Elijah Duval (2025)

Elijah Duval is very fast. Not only does he have twitchy and explosive athleticism, but he has a confident and crafty handle that gets him into the paint on most possessions. Duval, the younger brother of Trevon Duval, consistently made plays when he had two feet in the paint. His passes were on target and his finishing was consistent, through contact. The jump shot was consistently inconsistent, which allowed defenders to sag off at times, clogging the paint. He has upside as a point-of-attack defender and when the game opened up in transition, he was at his best.

8. 4-star SG Jordan Scott (2025)

Jordan Scott has a great frame, very intriguing as you project moving forward. He plays an efficient game that can be quiet at times, but is always ready when his number is called. Scott is listed at 6-foot-6 and he carries a plus wing span. He has a smooth jump shot that he steps into with confidence. He is good within two or three dribbles, getting to his spots, or moving the ball around. Scott also showed some ability to post his man and create an advantage. He played somewhat passively at times and will need to continue developing the handle, but showed high basketball IQ and an ability to rebound at his position.

9. 4-star SF Shon Abaev (2025)

Shon Abaev can knock down shots with an intriguing ability to create an offensive advantage off the bounce. He has good footwork and touch at 6-foot-7 which allows him to get clean looks on most possessions. Abaev was making a concerted effort to get his teammates involved this weekend. While spreading the ball around opens up more space to operate off the bounce it is still something he is getting used to. When Abaev has the ball in his hands and is given the ability to simply go get his, his scoring is among the best in this event.

10. 3-star PF Babatunde Durodola

The production Babatunde Durodola continues to put out is simply hard to ignore. The 6-foot-7 forward is a matchup problem offensively with his ability to attack off the bounce and his strength at the rim. Durodola is a very good area rebounder and he knocks down free throws. The jump shot needs continued work and there will be defensive questions, but each time he stepped on the floor, he was creating opportunities on offense and ending the opposing team’s possessions on the boards.

Other UAA Next Top Performers

4-star SF Treyvon Maddox (2025) might be the most explosive player in this event. The long-armed, 6-foot-7 forward finished well in transition and even knocked down a couple of threes when his feet were set.

4-star C Symon Ghai (2026) is listed at 7-foot-2, and the eye-test shows every bit of that. The lefty is fluid and he has a nose for the ball. Ghai did a good job finishing around the rim, and he was tough through contact on both ends.

PF Quinn Costello (2026) is an intriguing long-term play. The 6-foot-9 forward has soft touch with deep range. While he will need to continue adding weight, he battled on the boards and showed good passing touch.

3-star PF Marcus Jackson (2025) has a strong and physical frame, but where he shines is with his explosion. Jackson was comfortable as a rim protector and catching lobs out of the dunker spots.

PG Ty Tabales (2026) played the point guard position with confidence. He probed with patience and he delivered passes with touch and on timing. He also knocked down shots. It was a very poised weekend for the throwback lead guard.

SF Sammy Jackson (2026) has developed a good bit over the past 12 months. Listed at 6-foot-7, he has ball skills with the ability to get to spots and knock down shots. There is a steep upward trajectory here.

PG Ian Bailey (2026) is never rushed and is comfortable being asked to score or to set up his teammates. The 6-foot-3 guard has a high basketball IQ and always seems to make the effective and the right play.

3-star PF Deondrea Lindsey (2025) has found his stride with what he is as a player. The 6-foot-8 forward can nock down pick and pop threes and he rebounds his area. There is a lot of value in the game he plays.

3-star PF Alejandro Aviles (2025) plays a gritty game and that consistently finds production. He plays with a hot motor and rebounds his area well. Aviles also showed touch on his shot.

4-star SG Efeosa Oliogu (2025) is an explosive wing. He is finding his confidence as a vocal leader and is looking more comfortable being an alpha. The 6-foot-5 guard is at his best in transition but has pace in the half-court.

PG Keyshawn Herring (2027) has a good feel for the game. He shined with his first step, living in the paint. When in the paint he made good decisions. Poised showing for the young point guard.

C Christopher Brown (2027) has a good frame with excellent length. Brown showed upside as an athlete, protecting the rim. He also scored the ball in a variety of ways. Very intriguing upside for the 6-foot-10 freshman.

3-star SF Vincent Chaudhri (2025) has an excellent frame, but where he shined here was the jump shot. He is a good athlete and the jump shot is intriguing.

4-star SG Mazi Mosley (2025) has a great frame and intriguing ball skills. He can knock down an open shot and has slippery ball skills. The flashes are interesting.