The fourth edition of The First Look, presented by scout Ani Umana, brought together some of the top high school basketball programs in Texas, and beyond, for a competitive day of preseason scrimmages at Duncanville High School.
The event featured nationally recognized programs and FAB 50 contenders such as Faith Family, Duncanville and Allen, along with teams pushing for national recognition, including Iowa United and Dallas Carter. With high-level prospects across multiple classes competing against quality competition, The First Look provided another valuable opportunity to evaluate players in different settings ahead of the regular scholastic season.
This is not a ranked top 10 list. These are simply my takeaways of 10 prospects at the event who stood out from an evaluation standpoint and whom I wanted to highlight based on their performances, development and long-term potential.
1. Josiah Rose | 6’4 PG | 2028 | Faith Family
Rose was his normal productive self at The First Look, impacting the game in multiple areas. He rebounded, managed the game and consistently made the right reads offensively. After evaluating him at Border League and in several national settings, this was another opportunity to see his growth as a true lead guard. Rose displayed high-level live-dribble passing with either hand, perimeter shot-making and the ability to play above the rim. His combination of positional size, skill, athleticism and feel continues to separate him from his peers. He’s arguably the best prospect in the country, regardless of class, and if his development continues on this trajectory, his name will eventually be discussed on NBA Draft boards.
2. Xavier Young | 6’10 C | 2027 | Faith Family | LSU Commit
Young played with an impressive motor and level of physicality throughout Saturday. He was relentless on the glass, ran rim to rim, finished above the rim through contact and consistently impacted possessions without needing plays called for him. His screening was particularly valuable, creating separation and space for teammates to operate offensively. Young has a natural nose for the basketball, and his activity around the rim made him a constant presence on both ends. When he’s playing with this type of energy and purpose, he can impact winning without needing post touches. If this continues, Young has the tools to become a valuable piece for LSU next season.
3. Heir Jackson | 6’2 CG | 2030 | Duncanville
The game is beginning to slow down for Jackson, and that was evident throughout Saturday. Defenders aren’t rushing him when he’s operating with the basketball, and he’s displaying an impressive level of poise for a freshman competing against programs such as Faith Family and Iowa United. Jackson showed his ability to make jump passes, knock down deep-range threes and create separation for pull-up midrange jumpers. Defensively, he was active and showed flashes of becoming a high-level point-of-attack defender. What stood out most was his comfort level in that environment. He wasn’t simply surviving against older competition; he was impacting the game. Jackson continues to establish himself as one of the premier young guards nationally.
I appreciate everyone that supported the 4th Edition of The First Look. Just a few thoughts
@DuncanvilleBB 2030 duo of DJ Parker & Heir Jackson were impact players. The game has slowed down for Heir and he’s defending. DJ just keeps going at the defense and fighting on the glass.
Top 25 @SCNext 2028 prospect Kevin Wheatley of @iowaunitedprep was very impressive, big-time athlete, strong slasher that is improving as a jump shooter. One of the best performers from the event.
2029 Ayden McClinton of @AllenEagleBball had two strong performances. Off the bounce shot-making and making good decisions with the ball.
Josiah Rose was his usual self. In the convo for best in his class in 2028 @OakCliff_FFA. LSU commit Xavier Young was a handful in the paint. rebounder, finisher that plays with a translatable physicality in the paint.
@Carter__Hoops looked really good. Wouldn’t be surprised if they hoist up another state title trophy.
@dawsonbattie vs Parkview was showing his overall scoring versatility
@txstormbball guard play is top notch. Alabama State commit @dylansotuff21, and have 3 available 2027 scholarship level guards in Parker Bolden, Jaden Harding and Tank Francois
— Ani Umana (@Ani_Umana) November 8, 2026
4. DJ Parker | 6’7 F | 2030 | Duncanville
Parker continues to make his presence felt through his athleticism, physicality and motor. He’s aggressive attacking the basket, crashes the offensive glass and consistently challenges shots defensively. His strength is already impressive for his age, and there’s plenty of room for additional physical development. His jumper is progressing, with cleaner mechanics becoming noticeable during warm-ups. Coming off a productive and impressive USA Basketball minicamp in Colorado in October, Parker’s confidence appears to be growing with each varsity opportunity. He’s one of the top 2030 prospects I’ve evaluated nationally, and Saturday only reinforced that assessment. Parker has the tools to be in the conversation for the No. 1 spot in his class when the initial national rankings are released.
5. Kevin Wheatley Jr. | 6’7 SF | 2028 | Iowa United Prep
The four-star prospect out of New Jersey brings impressive positional size, length and athleticism to the wing. Wheatley was highly effective as a slasher and cutter, consistently playing above the rim and finishing emphatically in transition. His added strength is becoming noticeable, allowing him to absorb contact and still complete plays around the basket. His perimeter jumper remains a developing part of his offensive game, but he showed encouraging flashes, including a step-back corner three. If he becomes a consistent perimeter shooter, it will add another dimension to his offensive profile. Defensively, Wheatley possesses the physical tools and versatility to guard multiple positions effectively. As his half-court offensive skill set continues to develop, his upside remains significant.
6. Jamaal McKnight Jr. | 6’0 PG | 2027 | Iowa United | Utah Commit
McKnight plays with toughness, grit and an impressive level of control with the basketball. His tight handle, craft and shiftiness allow him to consistently get to his spots offensively. He’s effective getting into the paint, where he can score or make high-level live-dribble passes to create opportunities for teammates. What I appreciate most about McKnight is his ability to dictate where he wants to go on the floor while reading the defense and making sound decisions. He’s a guard who understands how to balance scoring and playmaking without forcing the action. The Utah commit put together a sound and productive Saturday at The First Look.
7. Shaq Kizzee | 6’10 F | 2027 | Dallas Carter | Ball State Commit
Dallas Carter played one game at The First Look, earning a convincing victory over St. Mark’s, and Kizzee was productive throughout. The Ball State commit continues to show improvement in his motor, rebounding and overall activity. His effort on the glass has become more consistent than what I saw during portions of the summer. He’s healthy, active and making perimeter shots while using his size and length to disrupt passing lanes and generate steals. Kizzee has always possessed intriguing physical tools and shooting ability, but his improved consistency and approach are helping him become a more impactful player. His best basketball is ahead of him, and it’ll be interesting to see what he develops into over the next three to four years at the collegiate level.
8. Zyere Ceasar | 6’7 PF | 2027 | Tyler Legacy
Ceasar is a skilled left-handed forward with a strong frame and the ability to stretch the floor. He’s continued to get stronger and improve each time I’ve evaluated him. After a productive summer with ASAC on the adidas 3SSB circuit, Ceasar showed another level of offensive assertiveness at The First Look, consistently imposing his will. What makes his recruitment particularly intriguing is his long-term outlook. Ceasar is expected to serve a two-year religious mission following high school before beginning his collegiate career. If I’m a Division I coach, he’s someone I’m actively recruiting and investing in. He’ll enter college older, stronger and more physically mature, with the potential to have five years of eligibility depending on NCAA rules and his enrollment timeline. There’s considerable upside here, and I believe Ceasar has the tools to become a productive college basketball player. Coaches need to be paying attention.
9. Dylan Franklin | 6’2 CG | 2027 | Texas Storm Basketball | Alabama State Commit
Franklin continues to establish himself as a high-level perimeter shooter. He can knock down threes off the catch, off movement and off the dribble, making him a versatile offensive weapon. His decision-making is becoming quicker and more efficient, and his strong, compact frame gives him the physical tools to handle the collegiate level. Franklin has the potential to shoot 40 percent or better from three at the next level, and that type of shooting ability carries significant value. Alabama State landed a really good prospect who I believe can contribute to its rotation from day one. I wouldn’t be surprised if Franklin eventually develops into a player who attracts interest from higher-level programs through the transfer portal.
10. Dawson Battie | 6’8 PF | 2027 | St. Mark’s | Nebraska Commit
It was a challenging Saturday for St. Mark’s, particularly in its opening matchup against Dallas Carter, where the opposing team’s speed and athleticism created significant problems. Battie was forced to handle additional ball-handling responsibilities, at times helping his team advance the basketball across half court. Against Parkview, he continued to face heavy defensive attention but had more opportunities to operate offensively. Despite seeing double and triple teams, Battie consistently made the right reads, located open teammates and avoided forcing the action. When scoring opportunities presented themselves, he capitalized by knocking down perimeter shots and finishing around the basket. Considering the amount of defensive attention he received, his ability to remain productive was impressive regardless of the final scores. The four-star Nebraska commit continues to develop a clearer understanding of his identity and the type of player he can become at the collegiate level.
Editor’s Pick
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