REPORTS: Recruiting Updates Based On What Coaches Saw Themselves From Thursday Through Sunday
50 Games in six days: Biggest 2025 risers from the first week of the July evaluation period
The first week of the recruiting period took me to Rock Hill, South Carolina for the 3SSB Championships, Cartersville, Georgia for the Under Armour Association, and Manheim, Pennsylvania for the Hoop Group.
With the advantage of a head start—thanks to 3SSB starting on Tuesday for NBA scouts and media, two days before college coaches arrived on Thursday—I managed to watch around 50 different basketball games over the past six days.
These evaluation opportunities, combined with the recruiting updates based on what coaches observed from Thursday through Sunday, have resulted in a short list of players who significantly boosted their stock in the first period.
Tre Singleton, Indiana Elite Team Tradition
Currently unranked in the national class of 2025
Tre Singleton didn’t receive a high-major offer until late June. Northwestern was the first to extend an offer, following a clear progression in his recruitment this spring. Initially considered a mid-major recruit, he quickly became a priority for mid-major programs, then transitioned to being viewed as a fringe high-major prospect. Now, he’s widely recruited by high-major programs, including Butler, DePaul, Louisville, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Wake Forest, all offering him this past week.
Standing at 6-foot-8 with a naturally strong physique, Singleton is versatile enough to play both the power forward and center positions. He possesses excellent footwork and reliable hands, contributing not only offensively but also on the boards. While not an explosive athlete, he demonstrates strong balance in traffic and the ability to convert challenging lay-ups. He also brings versatility with his capability to hit spot-up shots beyond the three-point line and handle the ball adeptly with either hand. Singleton is also noted for his passing ability, displaying good instincts and a keen basketball IQ that make him a potential focal point in half-court offensive schemes.
Matthew Able, Austin Rivers Southeast Elite
Currently unraked in the national class of 2025
When I last saw the Austin Rivers Southeast Elite team this spring, Savo Drezgic was handling point guard duties, Moustapha Thiam was anchoring the paint with his shot-blocking skills, and Cam Miles was heavily involved in ball handling. However, all of that changed at the beginning of this month: Drezgic and Thiam reclassified, committing to Georgia and UC respectively, and Miles has also moved on. This created ample new opportunities for others to step up, which Matthew Able seized during the 3SSB Championships. He started with a 29-point performance against the Atlanta Celtics on Tuesday and added 28 more points on Wednesday. Although he experienced a slight drop mid-week, he concluded the championships with a remarkable 35-point game, averaging 22 points for the week and shooting 25 for 44 from beyond the three-point line.
Northwestern, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Boston College—where his father played—are among the schools he plans to visit. Additionally, Clemson, Xavier, Miami, Virginia, Minnesota, Texas A&M, and UCF have recently shown interest.
Able is a strong-built wing with broad shoulders and a robust frame that continues to develop. His shooting mechanics are somewhat unconventional for a prolific three-point shooter, characterized by a slight hop and noticeable twist, yet he releases the ball fluidly with soft touch. While his three-point shot is a key part of his game, he also displayed versatility with mid-range shots off the dribble and showed solid athleticism in transition. Another standout aspect of his game is his proficiency with his left hand, comfortable both dribbling and finishing strong at the rim with either hand. He exhibits good footwork on the perimeter, particularly when catching and shooting, and demonstrates a competitive edge on defense.
Treyvon Maddox, Team Curry
Currently ranked 117th in the national class of 2025
There are moments when a player doesn’t need to impress with flashy stats to stand out. It can be their promising physical attributes, mature demeanor, skills that translate well, rate of improvement, or increasingly obvious potential. Treyvon Maddox embodies all these qualities. During my recent observation, he didn’t have any standout offensive performances. In fact, there were times I felt he could assert himself more aggressively. Nevertheless, Maddox is the type of prospect who grows on you the more you watch him.
Maddox possesses the build of a classic large wing player. Standing at 6-foot-7 with long arms and a well-defined physique that is still developing, he has good size for his position. He excels as a team-oriented passer who knows how to play within the game’s flow without dominating the ball—a trait likely influenced by his background as a coach’s son. While he’s not yet a primary ball-handler or creator, he showcases explosive athleticism that allows him to finish strong in transition and convert difficult lay-ups through contact with either hand. His three-point shooting as a spot-up shooter is improving, and given his combination of physical attributes, versatility, and mature approach, he has significant potential as a defensive wing capable of both guarding multiple positions and contributing offensively.
Azavier Robinson, George Hill All Indy
Currently ranked 115th in the national class of 2025
Azavier Robinson is the standout rising senior prospect in the HGSL, one of the nation’s premier independent circuits this year, prompting my trip to Pennsylvania to see him firsthand, which proved highly rewarding. Robinson had previously narrowed his college choices down to five schools—Butler, Cincinnati, DePaul, Notre Dame, and Xavier—and all except Cincinnati were in attendance to scout him this week. Despite playing through an ankle injury that limited some of his usual explosiveness, his physical abilities were still evident.
Robinson is an intensely competitive guard known for his robust build and toughness, complemented by long arms, good athleticism, and the capacity to thrive under physical pressure. His defensive prowess stands out, as he excels in both shutting down opponents and applying relentless pressure on guards. Offensively, he thrives when in attack mode, comfortable playing both on and off the ball with a strong scoring mentality. His shooting mechanics have notably improved, now featuring a clean release and good rotation, although consistency in results remains an area for growth. Robinson also impresses as a guard who excels at rebounding on both ends of the court.