2026 has taken “fall basketball” to new heights. While many schools can’t even consider playing as a team until their official high school practices start, states such as California, Nevada, Colorado, and Washington allow high school programs to essentially operate year round as “club teams”.
Naturally, there have been a number of for profit fall events that have been popping up out of the woodwork each weekend that provide little to no value to players and are simply a money grab for the admission fee. However, events such as The Border League, Dinos Trigonis‘ Ron Massey Memorial, Ryan Silver‘s AOG event series, and the LA based HS Fall Invite provide substantial value to players, scouts, and college coaches alike.
Add Ani Umana‘s First Look to the latter category.
Held at perennial Texas power Duncanville High School last weekend, The First Look was an invite only event that blended prep school powers against some of the best traditional high schools that the DFW had to offer. Preseason Ballislife FAB 50 No. 7 Oak Cliff Faith Family went up against No. 25 Allen HS (Tex.) in a spirited affair that saw Faith Family cruise.
Regionally ranked Iowa United Prep made the journey to South Dallas, host Duncanville unveiled its massive amount of underclass talent, and high major prospects were present in every single game. Despite the college basketball season having already started, over a dozen D-1 programs were in the building including the likes of Oklahoma, Baylor, SMU, and Houston.
Umana, who is one of the most well respected scouts in the nation and has done work with ESPN, Ballislife, and a host of other outlets, made the event a treasure for media, scouts, and college coaches alike. Accurate rosters were distributed, games ran on time, and a comprehensive list of the top prospects was sent out just in case there were some sleepers that you weren’t aware of.
We covered Jamaal McKnight, Xavier Young, Lamar Holden, and Cadarian Urune in our initial top performers article. Here’s a deeper look at six more seniors who left a lasting impression from Ani Uman’s First Look:
Dawson Battie, 6’8, PF, St. Mark’s (Texas)
There wasn’t a senior with a deeper offensive bag than Dawson Battie. Despite being a natural new age power forward, Dawson was the catalyst and primary playmaker for St. Mark’s as more of a point forward at The First Look. The versatile senior was much more consistent shooting the ball from the 3-point line, had his head on a swivel finding cutters, and rebounded the ball well on the defensive end. Nebraska’s highest ranked recruit in recent memory will give coach Fred Hoiberg no shortage of options as to how to use his at the next level.
Shaq Kizzee, 6’10, SF/PF, Dallas Carter (Tex.)
Perhaps the most versatile player in the event, Shaq Kiezzee got it done inside and out for Dallas Carter. The inside/out forward created plays from the perimeter, showed his vast range defensively, and changed the game with his athleticism. Heading to Ball State, Shaq has the raw talent and gifts to easily become a player you see at the high major level sooner rather than later.
Beau Daniels, 6’8, PF/C, Iowa United Prep (Iowa)
The most physically imposing big man that First Look had to offer was undoubtedly Beau Daniels, The gritty forward set monster screens, looked to rip the rim off every time that he got the rock in the paint, and kept plays alive with his relentless motor. Heading to play for Kelvin Sampson at Houston, the DC product’s hard nosed play will make him a perfect fit for the Cougars.
High level matchup between Waxahachie & Lake Highlands at 9am Sam Houston & Corpus Christi are in attendance to watch this game. 2028 Jamion Broom & 2027 Quincy Perkins are an excited backcourt for Lake Highland. For Waxahachie 2029 Braylon Manning runs the show and has a high feel for the game.
— Ani Umana (@Ani_Umana) November 7, 2026
Chris Hunt Jr.,6’1, PG, Duncanville HS (Tex.)
One of the speedier guards in the event, Chris Hunt Jr. showed why he had such a buzz playing in the New Balance P32 with Max Levels Elite. The speedy lefty was a blur in transition, showed the potential to be a game changer defensively, and created separation with ease to get to his jump shot. Heading to Jacksonville State, “Deuce” has the type of game that fits in perfectly in their league.
Zion Jenkins, 6’4, SG/SF, Little Rock Parkview (Ark.)
One of the best on ball defenders at the First Look, Zion Jenkins wanted all the smoke no matter how many stars opposing players had next to their names. The lanky wing took it upon himself to guard the opposing team’s best player, changed the game with his length, and made high major prospects have off night’s with the immense pressure that he put on the rock. Given that it was my first time seeing Zion, he certainly cemented himself as one that I will be tracking throughout his senior year.
Amarion Hunter, 6’3, SG, Dallas Carter (Texas)
A relentless scorer, Amarion Hunter was the biggest scoring threat for defending state champion Carter at The First Look. The relentless guard was in attack mode any time that he had the rock, showed deep 3-point range off the bounce, and got to the rim going downhill. The early Valparaiso pledge will have the opportunity to put points on the board from the second he steps foot on campus.
Editor’s Pick
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