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0 In preparation for the 2024 NBA draft, scouts have been paying extra attention to high school prospects this year. The NBA has also granted scouts more access to certain tournaments and events in hopes of finding the next big superstar. It is predicted that the 2025, 2026, and even 2027 drafts will each have headline names, and more young talents are sure to emerge over the next few years.
As of now, it looks like the No. 1 prospect in high school will be eligible for the 2025 draft. His name is Koa Peat, and he currently attends Perry High School. At 6’7″, he plays the position of power forward and is only 16 years old, making him eligible for the 2026 draft. Peat was the leading scorer for USA’s 2023 U16 team and has since improved his game, making his NBA future look promising. While Peat’s interior production and athleticism may be lacking compared to some of the other top high school prospects, his consistent productivity and effectiveness make up for it. He has shown flashes of ball-handling and face-up play, making him a versatile player for today’s NBA. Peat’s strengths include scoring around the basket, working in the post, boxing out for offensive boards, and finishing plays. He also possesses coveted intangibles, including his effort and passing IQ, which make him an exciting prospect for scouts.
Another high school prospect to keep an eye on is VJ Edgecombe. He attends Long Island Lutheran and is eligible for the 2025 draft at 18 years old. Standing at 6’4″, Edgecombe plays the position of shooting guard and is known for his quickness, bounce, and shot-making abilities. He has a lethal first step and can easily create advantages on the court. Edgecombe’s jump shot development is on the right track, and he has shown signs of being a streaky shooter who can catch fire and bury multiple threes in short stretches. At the City of Palms Classic, he also showed growth as a passer, using his dribble and gravity to set up his teammates. Although he has defensive upside, his shooting consistency, shot selection, and playmaking still need improvement.
Finally, Tyran Stokes, who attends Prolific Prep, is another high school prospect to watch out for. At 16 years old, he is eligible for the 2027 draft and stands at 6’7″, playing the position of small forward. Stokes uses his size, powerful frame, ball-handling, and footwork to create advantages on the court. He is heavy but light on his feet, making him an effective player for finishing plays in transition or off backdoor lobs. While Stokes wasn’t a high-volume shooter at the start of the year, he is becoming a more confident spot-up threat with a projectable stroke. He will need to develop more of a dribble-jumper game to improve his isolation package and have an answer for the stronger college and NBA defenders.
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