The 2025-26 Overtime Elite season is officially underway. The league, which allows players to receive NIL money while playing high school hoops, provides an elite opportunity for student athletes dissimilar to those of traditional high schools. OTE has three teams (RWE, Cold Hearts, and City Reapers) based in Atlanta, living and training nonstop at the OTE arena while also receiving a legitimate education.
Other schools—such as Calvary Christian (FL), Combine Academy (NC), Dynamic Prep (TX), PHH Prep (AZ), Moravian Prep (NC), and Our Saviour Lutheran (NY)— round out the nine-team league that is absolutely loaded with D1 and future NBA talent.
The opening weekend games took place in both Phoenix and New York City, with the non-OTE Academy squads flying across the country to get some early-season run against one another. We opted to take in the Phoenix games, which provided no shortage of intrigue.
Hosts Diamond Doves (PHH Prep) brought in defending champion YNG Dreamerz (Moravian Prep), first year member FAZE (Dynamic Prep), and the gritty Blue Checks (Combine Academy). Games were heated, viral social media clips were made, and several super talented players put on a show.
Having already taken a look at the top performers, here are some of the lesser known players who helped themselves at the OTE Phoenix Opening Weekend:
Dereon Truesdale, 6’6, SF, Moravian Prep YNG Dreamerz (North Carolina), 2026
A player who I hadn’t seen a ton of prior to the event, Dereon Truesdale, is the versatile player that college coaches dream of in today’s game. Able to defend multiple positions, Truesdale showed that he can create opportunities for others offensively, help on the glass from the perimeter, and is a reliable 3-point shooter with his feet set.
Old Dominion recently offered Truesdale, and the 23 points (including five 3-pointers) he dropped on national power Dynamic Prep were a clear example of why he’d be a great fit in Norfolk.
Cole Edelen, 6’1, PG, Combine Academy Blue Checks (North Carolina), 2026
Exuding confidence from the second that he stepped on the floor, Cole Edelen brought that type of energy to the hardwood in the opening game of the OTE season. A straight-up lights-out shooter (he hit 16 threes over two games), Cole also pushes the ball up the floor in a hurry, can finish with creativity at the rack due to deceleration moves, and will constantly throw defenders off with his change of pace.
Heading to Western Kentucky next year, the Louisville product has the ability to make an impact from day one.
Jacob Williford, 6’5, SF, PHH Prep Diamond Doves (Arizona), 2026
The definition of a versatile wing in today’s game, Jacob Williford did a bit of everything for the Diamond Doves during OTE’s opening weekend in Phoenix. The Houston native was automatic with his pull-up jumper, finished at the rim equally well with either hand, and looked to absorb contact any time that he got to the paint.
Still open in terms of his recruitment, whichever of the dozen-plus schools that land Jacob will be getting a nice physical addition to the backcourt.
K’Majay Jenkins, 6’6, SF, Moravian Prep YNG Dreamerz (North Carolina), 2028
One of the younger players to receive significant minutes in OTE, K’Majay Jenkins is the type of versatile two-way forward that everyone seems to love in today’s game. Able to play and guard a myriad of positions, the sophomore utilized his length to create a ton of deflections, was a fierce finisher in transition, and showed off his perimeter skills facing up in half-court situations.
Considered to be one of South Carolina’s top 2028 prospects, Jenkins is definitely representing the Palmetto State quite well thus far in his career.
Jordan Green, 6’7, PF, PHH Prep Diamond Doves (Arizona), 2026
Arguably the most athletic player in Phoenix, Jordan Green shut the gym down and kicked off the OTE season with a poster dunk. While he is far from a finished product, the Georgia product is a game changing athlete on both ends of the court, disrupts a ton of plays defensively, and is a constant threat for lobs or offensive rebounds on the other end of the hardwood.
Set to make his collegiate decision on October 31st, Green will choose from more than 20 D-1 programs that have offered him scholarships.
Xavier Roberson, 6’7, PF, Dynamic Prep FAZE (Texas), 2026
It was my first time seeing Xavier Robinson at the OTE Opening Weekend, and I immediately knew he was the type of guy that I would have loved to play with. The long-armed forward brought an infectious level of activity to the floor, utilized his size to defend countless positions, and did all of the little things that don’t show up in the box score.
Sam Houston State made it a point to lock up Xavier Roberson early, and while he’s not going to put up huge numbers in the scoring column, he does all of the other things to help a team win games.
Editor’s Pick
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