Hoop Hall Classic: Day 4 Top Performers
Springfield, Massachusetts – The Hoop Hall Classic brought together 54 teams from across the country to the birthplace of basketball. The 22nd annual event will take place from January 11 through the 15th with some of the top players in the country competing.
On3’s Jamie Shaw was courtside for day four of the showcase. Let’s break down the top performers from day three of the Hoop Hall Classic.
On3 MVP: 4-star SF Liam McNeeley (Indiana)
The lights were bright and Liam McNeeley brought his A-game. It started with a huge two-handed dunk off a curl set getting downhill, which set the tone. McNeeley played his usual efficient game. He moved the ball when things were not open, and he knocked down shots when he had a clean look. McNeeley came out aggressively, looking to score the ball. Montverde (FL) Montverde Academy was able to take advantage of that as they ran a steady diet of curls that got McNeeley downhill with a head of steam. When Montverde needed a play, it was McNeeley who stepped up. The Indiana signee finished with a game-high 22 points, going 8-12 from the field and 4-5 from three. He buried three free throws at the end of the game that put the game away as well.
2. Five-Star Plus+ SF AJ Dybantsa
While things might have started slow for AJ Dybantsa, he showed in the second half why he is considered the No. 1 player in the 2025 class. Dybantsa has a natural ability to score the ball which makes him unique in the high school game. The 6-foot-8 wing has a smooth shooting touch and the ability to self-create opportunities off the bounce. Next for Dybantsa is continuing to get stronger along with tightening and minimizing his handle in traffic. His second-half scoring brought Napa (CA) Prolific Prep back into the game, even taking the lead under two minutes. Dybantsa finished with a team-high 21 points, going 3-8 from three. he added five rebounds, four assists, and a block.
3. 4-star PG Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn)
What started off as a slow game, Tahaad Pettiford had four points at halftime, ended as one of the most electric performances of the weekend. Pettiford finished the game with 33 points, after going for 29 points through the final two quarters. Pettiford is fast with the ball in his hands, and quickly gets to his spots off the bounce, with excellent balance, able to rise up in an instant. The scoring lead guard is a confident bucket getter. He is quick with explosive burst and he showed a lot of tools in the bag. Bruce Pearl has had success with guards similar to Pettiford, it should make for interesting viewings during his time with Auburn.
4. 4-star PF Derik Queen (uncommitted 2024)
At the high school level, Derik Queen is a matchup nightmare. Especially for a school like Prolific Prep that simply does not have much size coming off the bench. Queen has excellent footwork, he is able to carve out space on the block and find dangerous angles to put himself in favorable positions. Queen has soft hands with good touch on the block. The 6-foot-9 post player has a go-to move over both shoulders and a plethora of counters off those moves. In front of the sold-out crowd and the bright lights on Springfield, Massachusetts Queen finished with 18 points, on 7-11 shooting, and six rebounds.
5. 4-star PG Darius Acuff (2025)
Darius Acuff is talented, there is no denying his ability to quickly and decisively get to dangerous spots on the floor and make plays. He is at his best when the floor opens up and the pace gets quicker. Acuff plays off the bounce with good balance, enabling him to rise up for his shot whenever he feels that he has his man off-balance. He struggled at times when he looked to create for others on the move, but the ball stuck in his hands far less today than it usually does. Most of Acuff’s shots came from 13 feet and out, he scored it well, and with his ball movement, he picked up a number of assists, keeping the ball hot. It was a dominating performance for Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy, and a large part of that was the start that Acuff got out to. He finished with 28 points and nine assists while going 12-20 from the field.
6. Five-Star Plus+ SF Cooper Flagg (Duke)
Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 player in the 2024 class, started the game off strong, making his presence felt throughout the first half. Flagg spread his legs to score in transition and was able to get the crowd on their feet with his defensive prowess. Flagg creates havoc on the defensive end, roaming in the half-court and getting in the passing lanes, and protecting the rim. Flagg’s timing on the defensive end is as good as any in the high school game, as teams have to game plan against his presence. Things settled in the second half as Flagg only scored three points in the final two quarters and Prolific Prep was able to run their offense away from Flagg. Next in Flagg’s progression is working through the mechanics of his jump shot. The Duke signee finished the game 6-15 from the field and 2-6 from three. Along with his 15 points, he added 10 rebounds, two steals, and five blocks.
7. Five-Star Plus+ CG Dylan Harper (Rutgers)
Dylan Harper affects the game all over the stat sheet. The 6-foot-6 guard is an excellent passer and processor. His ability to collapse a defense and then make a read is dangerous. But it is also consistent. He is a quick processor with the ball, generally throwing passes that are both on target and on time. Harper scored 14 points at the half and started the second half strong with eight quick ones. Harper did a good job spreading the ball around and he had a couple of defensive stops in the second half. The Rutgers commit finished 4-10 from three for 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
8. 4-star PG Boogie Fland (Kentucky)
Boogie Fland vs. Dylan Harper caught the headlines. On3’s No. 1 PG vs. the No. 1 CG in the 2024 class. Fland from New York and Harper from New Jersey. The atmosphere was set, and the game was televised on ESPN 2. Fland did not let any of that get to him. He played his normal steady and efficient game, setting up the pieces and orchestrating things. Fland has a consistent jump shot with good form and release. He was 4-8 from three in the game. He also added eight rebounds and four assists to go with his 17 points in the win. It was a steady performance, one that had a positive effect on his team.
9. 4-star PG David Castillo (Kansas State)
David Castillo forces nothing, allowing the game to come to him. And oftentimes that allows for consistent production from the 6-foot-1 Bel Aire (KS) Sunrise Christian point guard. This game was no different. Castillo is a guy who has been there before and is not afraid of the moment. He handled the ball well in the open floor and was able to get his team into sets. He made shots today. While not much was falling for the team, Castillo shot it efficiently finishing with 26 points and three assists, going 6-11 from three.
10. 3-star PG Christian Anderson (Michigan)
It has been a good season for Christian Anderson to this point. He has maintained his reputation as a scorer, but is finding ways to do it in a more efficient manner. Anderson signed with Michigan during the early period. He has deep range on the jump shot, but also uses a clever change of pace to get in the paint. He has a good understanding of himself and the game. In this one, Anderson finished tied off a game-high of 20 points. He was 8-14 from the field and added four assists.
Other Hoop Hall Classic Top Performers
4-star SF Bryson Tucker (uncommitted 2024) is a noted scorer, capable of getting to his spots and excelling in the half-court and in the middle game. Tucker has a power-guard game, standing at a strong 6-foot-7. He finished this one with 17 points, going 6-15 from the field with three assists and four rebounds.
4-star CG Ahmad Nowell (UConn) is a steady player who is not afraid of the moment. While he might not be the most explosive, he is going to put the ball into positive situations and play tough on-the-ball defense. He finished the Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep Charter win with 17 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and three steals.
4-star PG Jerry Easter (2025) has simplified his approach and his production has taken a step forward. He is playing downhill, touching the paint, and finishing plays with contact. He had a strong second-half in this one finishing with 12 points after intermission. Easter added three steals and was 2-5 from three for the game.
3-star PF Spencer Ahrens (2025) will need to get stronger, which will help his overall game and performance on both ends. But even with that, he is still producing. Ahrens is a good area rebounder, high-pointing the ball in traffic to end possessions. He is also a solid team defender, able to wall up around the basket, get into the passing lanes, and cut off angles. He has seemingly found his pathway and the direction he wants his game to head and has been working on that. Ahrens is not a finished product yet, continue to monitor the development.
4-star PF Donnie Freeman (Syracuse) continues to improve his game, and it all starts with his confidence. The 6-foot-10 power forward has long had the stools, with great length and touch. Now he is starting to aggressively hunt his looks, and finish with a purpose. He had 19 points and six rebounds in the IMG win.
4-star PF Sebastian Wilkins (2026) picked his spots well for Wolfeboro (NH) Brewster Academy. The 6-8 forward has a strong frame and did his damage here facing up and attacking the basket. He has good length and was aggressive in finding his opportunities today. He finished with 20 points