Being from the Western Region, I’ve had the opportunity to watch Jalen Hill closely since his high school days at Clark High School in Las Vegas. His rise didn’t come overnight—it was a process that revealed itself steadily over time. By his junior year, Hill had clearly separated himself as one of the top two-way prospects in Nevada. What stood out…
“Aaron Hunkin-Claytor: Hawai‘i’s High-IQ Guard Built for Big West Breakout in 2025”
Some players rise with noise. Others build their résumé in silence—steady, poised, and battle-tested before the spotlight ever finds them. Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, the cerebral 6’3” guard for the University of Hawai‘i, is one of those rare floor generals who doesn’t need a hype machine to validate his value. His game is built on substance, not…
“NC State Basketball 2025–26 Preview: Full Roster Breakdown, Key Transfers, and Scouting Insight”
As we continue our national tour of college basketball programs ahead of the 2025–26 season, we turn our lens to a high-major squad undergoing a full identity reset: the NC State Wolfpack. With veteran head coach Will Wade now at the helm, the program has undergone one of the most dramatic offseason roster overhauls in the country. And…
Why CJ Noland Is Built for Overseas Pro Basketball: Scouting His Strengths, Fit, and Upside
From the backcourts of Waxahachie, Texas to the high-major spotlight of the Big 12 and the intensity of the Mountain West, CJ Noland has carved out a career that speaks to his resilience, skill, and leadership. Once ranked among the Top 100 players in the ESPN Class of 2021 (No. 98 overall), Noland’s journey reflects what evaluators love most — progression, maturity, and a battle-tested edge….
“Grand Canyon Basketball Reloaded: Full 2025–26 Scouting Report & Mountain West Preview”
In the vast desert backdrop of Phoenix, where cacti stretch toward cloudless skies and the horizon feels endless, there lies a basketball program quietly building one of the most formidable mid‑major machines in America. Grand Canyon University is no longer just a footnote in college hoops—it’s a rising force worthy of national recognition. Under Head Coach Bryce Drew,…
“The Reed Siblings Are Next: California’s Rising Basketball Duo You Need to Know”
Every so often, a brother-sister duo emerges in the basketball world that shifts the atmosphere—players who not only share a bloodline but also share a fire, a presence, and a promise of greatness. That’s exactly what’s happening in Southern California right now with Armanyie “Buddha” Reed and her younger brother, Phillip Reed Jr. “Armanyie and Phillip Jr. are…
Inside College Basketball’s $20.5M Shift: How NIL, Revenue Sharing, and ‘Money-Dump’ Budgets Are Changing the Game
A Unit 1 Hoop Source Briefing on The Athletic’s Deep Dive Into the Future of College Basketball Economics Unit 1 Hoop Source – College Basketball + Athletics Over the years of covering players, coaches, and programs from across the country, I’ve tried to stay grounded in more than just game film and box scores. I’ve…
“Spotlight on Amare Oba: The Underrated 2026 Wing Built for Winning Basketball”
HENDERSON, NV — In a basketball culture saturated with mixtapes and microwave rankings, Amare Oba, a 6-foot-6 wing-forward out of Coronado High School, is choosing a different route—one built on accountability, consistency, and long-term value. I’ve evaluated this young man on multiple occasions, across different systems and settings—from the high school hardwood to the grassroots grind—and the throughline…
“From Germantown Star to UNLV Recruit: Yasir Muhammad’s Lockdown DB Transition”
🔴 UNLV Football just added a certified difference-maker. Yasir Muhammad—a 6’2” defensive back out of Tennessee powerhouse Germantown High—isn’t just another freshman. He’s a former wide receiver turned elite lockdown corner, a ball-hawking defender who flipped the script on his career and never looked back. 🎯 Now represented by Supreme Athletics Inc., a rising brand committed to elevating…
How Rich Paul Became the Most Important Man in Sports—and Why Young Men Should Follow His Lead
A salute to the spirit, strategy, and soul of a modern-day mogul—and what it means for young Black men in America and beyond. In a world constantly shifting under the weight of trends, turmoil, and transactional ambition, some figures rise not just as success stories—but as sacred reminders of what is possible when discipline, identity,…
“UNLV Men’s Basketball 2025-26 Preview: Josh Pastner’s Team Building From the Ground Up”
Las Vegas, NV — I recently had the opportunity to get a firsthand look at the new-look UNLV Runnin’ Rebels men’s basketball team under first-year head coach Josh Pastner, and while it’s far too early for sweeping evaluations, one thing is already clear: there’s a new energy inside the Mendenhall Center. Pastner, known for his sideline…
“2025-26 Stony Brook Basketball Preview: New-Look Seawolves Ready to Make Noise in the CAA”
Entering his seventh season at the helm, Geno Ford has firmly established himself as the architect of Stony Brook’s competitive resurgence. Coming off a contract extension through 2025–26, Ford brings a winning pedigree—back‑to‑back MAC regular-season titles at Kent State, CAA upset runs, and a reputation for developing sharpshooters and gritty guards. His core philosophy—“get better throughout the season…
“2025–26 Season Preview: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Reload with Patty Mills, Big Transfers, and Island Swagger”
For nearly a decade, Eran Ganot has stood as the steady hand behind the University of Hawai‘i men’s basketball program—a leader who’s brought accountability, defense, and Pacific pride to the hardwood. Since taking over in 2015, Ganot has guided the Rainbow Warriors to multiple 20-win seasons, a 2016 NCAA Tournament win, and a standard rooted in discipline…
“Youngstown State Basketball Reloaded: Horizon League’s Mid-Major Sleeper in 2025-26
While most of the college basketball world keeps its lens fixed on high-major headlines, we’re spinning the spotlight toward a program that’s been quietly building something special in the Midwest. Welcome to Around the Country in Two Minutes, where Unit One Hoop Source highlights the programs that matter—even when no one else is watching. This time,…
“How to Play Professional Basketball Overseas: A Complete Guide for College Players in 2025”
For many college players, that final buzzer marks more than the end of a season—it feels like the end of a chapter. The texts from coaches slow down. The workouts get quieter. The certainty fades. But what if that wasn’t the finish line? What if it was just the beginning of a new journey—one that…
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