January 2026

Grassroots 365 opened its 2026 Signature Event Series with the MLK Classic, bringing high-level youth basketball competition to Anaheim and Ladera, California. The event featured 185 teams representing Southern California, San Diego, Northern California, Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico, spanning six boys age groups from 8U through 14U. With 20 total divisions, including highly competitive Gold brackets, the weekend showcased several of the top-ranked programs and emerging prospects tracked by Scope Scouting.

Stock Risers 

MVP: Preston Bond – IE Sixers Black: Preston is a versatile, long wing whose potential showed every time he stepped on the floor. He runs the lane hard, uses his speed to create easy scoring opportunities, and consistently plays with energy. Defensively, Preston wasn’t afraid of any matchup and showed the ability to guard multiple positions throughout the weekend. His continued development as a ball handler will unlock another level to his game. Earned MVP honors at the G365 MLK Classic after averaging 13.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Scope Rating: 85.4

Alessandro Longo – Jula Elite: Longo is a long, athletic wing with the ability to stretch the floor, capable of stringing together multiple three-point makes when he finds a rhythm. He runs the floor well in transition and is effective attacking the rim with momentum. Defensively, Longo shows solid fundamentals, using active hands and good footwork to stay in front of smaller, quicker opponents. His two-way versatility makes him a valuable piece on the wing. Scope Rating: 81.1

Branden Bell – SBC Elite: Bell is a skilled wing scorer who can impact the game at all three levels. He has a quick first step that allows him to attack the rim effectively and is capable of knocking down multiple contested three-point shots. In the paint, Bell plays with patience and displays good footwork to create separation, often finishing with a soft floater. On the defensive end, he stands out as a strong on-ball defender who moves his feet well, generates steals, and turns defense into offense by creating transition scoring opportunities. Scope Rating: 81.3

Camden Goetz – SBC Elite: Goetz is a quick, shifty guard who consistently finds ways to finish creatively around the basket. He possesses an aggressive first step that makes it difficult for defenders to stay in front of him. Goetz also displays a smooth and confident shooting stroke from deep. In transition, he sees the floor well and makes timely reads to find teammates for easy scoring opportunities. Defensively, he is a solid on-ball defender who stays disciplined, moves his feet well, and competes on the perimeter. Scope Rating: 80.1

Cameron Shepard – Magic Boyz: Shepard is an athletic left-handed wing who is especially dangerous in transition, capable of going coast-to-coast with speed and control. He displays advanced footwork when attacking the rim, allowing him to avoid charges and finish efficiently. Shepard is a capable perimeter shooter who can knock down shots from deep when left open. On the defensive end, he is highly active, using his length to generate deflections and turnovers in the passing lanes. He also rebounds the ball at a high level for his position, consistently impacting multiple areas of the game. Scope Rating: 89.2

Daniel Crisan – Young Dons Gold: Crisan is a crafty left-handed wing who shows good footwork and body control when operating in the paint. He finishes effectively around the basket, utilizing strong spin moves to create space against defenders. In the half court, he attacks the rim with toughness and athleticism, frequently drawing fouls. Crisan is also a strong rebounder who looks to push the pace in transition, adding value as a versatile playmaker in the open floor. Scope Rating: 87.7

Kingston Neal – Corona Nation Jr. 3SSB: Neal is a crafty, skilled guard who consistently plays with an impressive change of speed to keep defenders off balance. He is at his best attacking downhill, where he becomes difficult to contain once he builds a full head of steam. Neal finishes through contact and around the rim with toughness, showing the ability to use both hands effectively. He is a sneaky athlete who moves well laterally on the defensive end and competes on that side of the ball. Additionally, he stands out as a strong rebounding guard, particularly on the offensive glass, where he creates extra possessions. Scope Rating: 86.6

Rome Douglas – Corona Nation Jr. 3SSB: Douglas brings excellent size and physicality to the frontcourt and consistently impacts the game on the glass. He has a soft touch around the rim and does a strong job finishing in traffic. Douglas plays with a high motor, rebounding everything in his area and fighting hard for deep post position. His physical presence and willingness to battle make him a reliable interior option. Scope Rating: 80

Others: Aiden Johnson  (Magic Boyz), Amare Rocha (Cal Storm Gray), Jai’eal Rudisell (2up2down), Jeremiah Ambrose (AZ UH Elite Black), Marquis Harris (Port City), Queston Brown (Team Chance) 

13U Highlights

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13U Gold Division: #22 Corona Nation Jr 3SSB (Inland Empire, CA) over a field that included #8 AZ UH Elite Jr 3SSB, #11 Anaheim Select Jr 3SSB, and #15 (West) Splash Boyz

13U Silver Division Champions: MCBA (Norcal)

13U Bronze Division Champions: Chula Vista Hawks (San Diego, CA)

13U Copper Division Champions: West Coast Tigers(Socal)

Stock Risers 

MVP: Blake Stillwell (Corona Nation Jr 3SSB)

Cayden Tapley (Splash Boyz), Jason Mahgerefteh (West Coast Tigers), Kahama Wainwright El II (CA Gold), Lucas Douglas (Chula Vista Hawks), Miking Walker (MCBA), Tyler Ellie Villegas (SCBA Spartans), and Weston Mann (AZ UH Elite Jr 3SSB).

12U Highlights

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12U Gold Division: #13 IE Sixers Black (Inland Empire, CA) over a field that included #3 (West) AZ UH Elite and #17 (West) Ladera Premier Jr 3SSB

12U Silver Division Champions: Stack Days Blackwell 2032 (Socal)

12U Bronze Division Champions: MCBA (Northern California)

12U Copper Division Champions: Whittier Bulldogs (Socal)

Stock Risers

MVP: Micah Ahaiwe (IE Sixers Black)

Blackwell Akara Seang (MCBA), Brandt Viney (AZ UH Elite Jr 3SSB), James Vivanco (Stack Days 2032), Kyrie Canaria (SCBA Spartans), Miles Apollo Atienza (Whittier Bulldogs), Oliver Bartel (Ladera Premier Jr 3SBB), and Ryder Orille (JustHoop Rise).

11U Highlights

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11U Gold Division: #14 Leverage Bulldogs (Socal) over a field that included #10 (West) JustHoop Rise #18 (West) Creators Elect (Socal)

11U Silver Division Champions: JSK Blue (Socal)

11U Bronze Copper Division Champions: Sharks Central (San Diego, CA)

Stock Risers

MVP: Jordan Moss (Leverage Bulldogs)

Abraham Lane (JustHoop Rise), Aaron Lavi (JSK Blue), Chandler Jones (EA Team Pressure), Liam Lam (Young Dons Green), Lincoln Duffin (Sharks Central), and Sayed Rezwan Ghazanfar (Creators Elect).

10U Highlights

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10U Gold Division: #6 Ladera Premier Jr 3SSB (Socal) over a field that included #9 Sacramento Yellow Jackets, #10 JustHoop Rise, #18 Handle Randle

10U Silver Division Champions: Stay the Course (Socal)

10U Bronze Copper Division Champions: CA Gold (Socal)

Stock Risers

MVP: Cole Evans (Ladera Premier Jr 3SSB)

Aidan Grothe (Stay The Course), Ametri Marshall (Yellow Jackets), Braxton Bailey (Ladera Premier Jr 3SSB), Camren Fields (Stack Days 2034), Elijah Wainwrightel (CA Gold), and Joseph Noah Roman (VBA).

8u/9u Highlights

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9U Gold Division: #1 Young Dons National (Socal) over a field that included #3 AVAC Komplex, #5 Pacific Elite, #9 Blue Chip Elite (AZ), #15 Vegas Elite

8/9U Bronze Division Champions: West Coast Tigers Mamba (Socal)

Stock Risers

MVP: Aslan Selin (Young Dons National)

Asher Hanaie (West Coast Tigers Mamba), Eric Valentine Jr. (Pacific Elite), Ford Wood (Blue Chip Elite), Ja’Loni Wilkinson (AVAC Komplex Sports), and Messiah Gradney (JustHoop Rise).