3 days of elite basketball from teams across the country allowed the Memphis HoopFest to deliver performances which will cement an abudance of high school athletes as surefire Division 1 talents. The HoopFest is quickly becoming one of the most attractive events in the country and the enthusiasm for the weekend of basketball is definitely considered one of the nation’s best prep events.
Who performed well? Please note the list is not in any particular order.
Memphis HoopFest (MVP’s)
- Chris Nwuli – 2025 (School: Sierra Canyon) (6’7 Wing) It’s easy to see why Rutgers had him high on their list and why he’s their guy. The kid has a motor (one of the most underrated strengths an athlete can have in an era of coddled and privileged athletes). He has long arms and height allowing him to impact games offensively and defensively. Athleticism allows him to get to the rim at will and finish with physicality. He’s a capable jump shooter who can nail the midrange elbow, free throw shot but looks especially elite driving to the bucket. He can make enough jumpers to where he can utilize the pump fake and attack and he can make passes, but if the help isn’t there he can finish.
- Jermaine O’Neal Jr – 2025 (School: Dynamic Prep) (6’5 Wing) A really athletic wing, with great body control. Often playing above the rim, he is a constant lob threat in transition. I think he thrives more as a finisher but can hit the jumper. He moves well without the ball and does a good job of putting himself in position to score. I don’t think he’s near the player that he could be in the future.
3. Fred Smith Jr – 2026 (School: Briarcrest Christian) (6’8 Forward) 2 really good performances help bolster Smith Jr. as a talented athlete worthy of national buzz. He had 27 points and 12 rebounds against Germantown (MS) and 25 the day before showing off his skillset. He passes it well for a guy his size, for anyone honestly. I think he’s playing with more aggression this season. He can put it on the floor and score but chooses to play the right way. He doesn’t force plays and looks ahead for teammates. He put up really nice numbers in the HoopFest averaging 25.5 points per game. Could he be a sleeper McDonald’s All-American in his senior year? Keep an eye on this.
4. Jaden Toombs – 2025 (School: Dynamic Prep) ( 6’10 F/C) Length, frame, hands, touch inside, the SMU commit isn’t the focal point on most nights, but when his number is called, he can back down defenders, and score in the low post area and catch and finish from dump offs to him. Defensively, he can be impactful there too and on the glass as an offensive rebounder using his physical profile to give himself space to score. He had 13 points and 11 rebounds in the second game of the HoopFest over a scrappy Memphis Overton squad.
5. Lyndell Buckingham – 2025 (School: Pace) (6’1 PG) Had a really good showing scoring 20 points against Briarcrest. Kind of a slippery guard, good shot release. When he wants to go get to a spot, it’s hard to keep him from getting there. He has a unique ability to create isolation. When he does, he separates from his defender and can rise up or simply get by putting his defender in bad situations.
6. Derrick Roberson – 2026 (School: Chattanooga Prep) (6’6 Wing) Great weekend for Roberson garnering MVP honors in both of his team’s games. He had 13 points in the win over Overton and 10 points and 4 rebounds against Memphis East.
7. Harrison Pickett – 2025 (School: Benton – Arkansas) (6’1 PG) Missing one of their best players on the weekend, Pickett picked up the slack for his team. He had 16, 13 rebounds and 6 assist in an overtime win.
8. Xavier Washington – 2025 (School: Hillsboro) (6’4 Guard) 16 points against Houston in a win and 15 points against Pace Academy for the team out of Texas. Washington was big for them all weekend.
9. Fred Martin Jr – 2027 (School: Harding Academy) (6’3 PG) Game 1, day 1 MVP in their win over East. Martin has been really good all year and with his showing in the HoopFest should be seen as a name to know for the next few years there.
10. Aeneas Alexander – 2026 (School: Pace Academy) (6’8 Wing) 21 points against Briarcrest Christian, showing he could step out and make shots or make plays off the bounce. At 6’8, those are really good attributes to have. Aeneas has a very good feel for the game. His ability to stretch the floor is what standouts for him and will make him likely a top 100 player by his senior year.
11. Kamora Pruitt – 2026 (School: Legion Prep Academy) (6’2 Forward) The 4-star prospect out of Dallas Texas had 12 points and 7 rebounds in their win over Bartlett High School. Nationally, she’s one of the best girls in the country.
12.Greg Spight – 2027 (School: Briarcrest Christian) (5’11 PG) Saved his best game for his last in the HoopFest. The sophomore point guard had 22 points in a nice win over Germantown (MS) establishing himself as the latest Little General in a long line of Memphis point guards.
13.Taquez Butler – 2025 (School: Whitehaven) (6’2 Combo Guard) Came up huge down the stretch for Whitehaven in the last game of the event scoring 21 points. He scored 8 of those points in overtime for the Tigers. Butler looks much taller than 6-2 and could be one of the shiftiest guards in the country. His layup package is silky and in transition, against a stacked group of defenders he makes the subtle moves needed to finish at the basket. Dare I say, SGA type?
