Hoopstate Hoopsgiving: Saturday’s top performers

RALEIGH, NC — Twenty teams from across North Carolina and Maryland gathered in Raleigh at Shaw University for Hoopstate Hoopsgiving. The Friday and Saturday event was hosted by The Hoopstate Network and showcased some under-the-radar talent along with very good games.

Rivals was courtside on Saturday to discuss top performers from Hoopstate Hoopsgiving.

1. 3-star G Jyi Dawkins (Western Carolina)

Jyi Dawkins plays a violent brand of basketball. He attacks the front of the rim with purpose and has excellent balance and touch when he is on his way. There is an intimidation factor with Dawkins when he steps on the floor. He is very physical, and many at this level are not comfortable playing that way. Dawkins drew 12 free throws, knocking down 10 of them in this one. He also garnered 2 steals using his length and anticipation on the defensive end. His Greensboro (NC) Ben L. Smith team won a state championship last season and appears to be a front-runner to do so again this year. This game was twenty-plus for much of the second half, so Dawkins’ minutes were limited. The 6-foot-3 guard did finish with 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists on 9-16 shooting.

2. 3-star G Kobe Edwards (Elon)

Kobe Edwards is an explosive guard and is growing more comfortable with the ball in his hands in the half-court. He’s electric in the open floor, getting out quickly in transition and looking to bring the rim down. He is averaging 22.0 a game coming in and finished this one with 27 points. Edwards was able to straight-line drive throughout the second half in this one, which earned him 15 free throws (he made 14 of them). The Wilson (NC) Greenfield School senior also added 6 assists and 4 steals in the win. Edwards is young for his grade and one to watch as he continues to progress. He has some natural tools.

3. 4-star SG RJ Moore (2027)

4-star SG RJ Moore (2027) has a smooth nature to his game. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard is the son of former UConn point guard and captain, Ricky Moore. He is coming into his own as a scorer, learning how to get to his spots and rise up to finish. He showed comfort on the ball in this one, a secondary type handle re-initiating offense, while also utilizing the one and two-dribble pull-up to get into the midrange. Next up for Moore is learning his footwork and getting into his balance areas as he rises up. Rivals’ No. 53 overall player in 2026, he has some intriguing aspects to his game and is worth continuing to track as the upside remains high. He finished this one with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win.

4. 4-star F Aaron Parker (2028)

Aaron Parker is a long and rangy athlete who is very intriguing as a prospect. At 6-foot-8, Parker showed a pretty well-rounded skill set. He moved the ball well from the middle of the floor, knocking down a pair of threes, and he finished at the rim in the half-court. Still a sophomore and still on the young side of his grade, the Raleigh (NC) Southeast Raleigh forward has some tightening up to do with his game. Even with that, he is still able to find production as a focal point of his team. Parker finished with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and a pair of steals in this one, going 10-17 from the field. The upside is very intriguing here.

5. 3-star SG Geren Holmes (2027)

Geren Holmes is an explosive athlete, and when he got a head of steam, he was able to showcase his burst at the rim. He knocked down three threes in this one, finishing 3-6 overall, and was able to (mostly) find his balance points when stepping into his shot. The 6-foot-4 guard is a late bloomer, someone whose best basketball is most likely ahead of him. While he is still showing flashes, he did finish this one with 26 points and 9 rebounds. Keep checking back over the next few months with his development. There is a baseline of talent here that is currently on an upward trajectory.

Hoopstate Hoopsgiving this & that

2028 power forward Braxten Dubose of Wilson (NC) Greenfield School was a load on the block. The 6-foot-4 sophomore has excellent balance and footwork, proving to be a true mismatch in this one. He finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds on 10-15 from the field. 3-star forward Cameron Moore (2028) is a player to watch for the future. Already standing in the 6-foot-7 range, he is a fluid athlete with some intriguing movement skills. He knocked down multiple catch-and-shoot threes in this setting and is already building somewhat of a reputation locally. He finished with 15 points and 3 rebounds in the Wilson (NC) Greenfield win. 3-star shooting guard Aidan Able (UMBC) is a big-bodied guard who did a lot of his damage getting downhill to the rim. He was able to put pressure on the defense, and when he touched the paint, he moved the ball well (5 assists) and made his free throws (9-11). Able finished with 21 for Bel Aire (MD) John Carroll. 2026 power forward Andrew Clark of Bel Aire (MD) John Carroll was a throwback big of sorts. His team fed him the ball early, and he was able to find advantages. He is an intriguing prospect who finished with 20 points, going 9-10 from the field.