Players to Watch - July Eval Period

The July evaluation period is arguably one of the most anticipated times of the year for athletes, parents, and coaches across the country in the basketball community. We will see thousands of teams that will embark to all parts of the country in hopes of playing in front of college coaches and ultimately earning athletic scholarships. For some, not only are they playing for scholarships, but also national championships whether it be on the EYBL, GUAA, or Adidas circuits. One thing is for certain, regardless of where you are playing, the July eval period is the pinnacle of grassroots basketball and is a good time for all involved.

I will be making my way to Louisville, Kentucky for The Run 4 the Roses and then onto Chicago for Nike Nationals. It will be my goal to watch as much of the Tennessee talent that I can in Louisville. I plan to be back with a multiple article recap of everything that I saw.

This write-up will consist of some rising senior prospects that I feel are college level players and worth watching during the July period. The names are in no particular order but all are 2026 prospects.

Ava Jarrett - Lipscomb Academy, Stars Basketball - Ava is a fundamentally sound guard with a nice pull up jumper. She is a solid handle with the basketball and has a knack of making plays. She is capable of knocking down the outside shot or getting to the rim with tough finishes.

Amaya Nash - Rockvale, TN Flight - Amaya is one of the quickest guards in the state with the basketball in her hands. She has size to go with that as well being 5'8. I am not real sure what the D1's are waiting on to offer this kid, but she can flat play.

Erica Perkins - Overton, Team BWright - Erica brings it every time she steps on the court. She competes on the defensive end with active hands and does a great job of playing the passing lane. She has a nice handle with the ball and a smooth shot from 3.

Taylor Dolente - Upperman, TN Trotters - Taylor is 5'9 wing that shoots a high percentage from beyond the arch. A high IQ player that plays well within the system and scores the ball well. She comes from one of the top high school programs in the state and knows how to win.

Jalynn Meadows - Jackson County, TN Rush - Jalynn is an all-state guard and a large part of Jackson County's resurgence to the top in its class. She is a quick guard that can score the ball when needed (1,000 points already) or can just get the offense settled in. A good player that wins.

Bailey Blair - Richland, FBC Reign - Bailey is a high motor guard that knocks down shots on a consistent basis while getting her shot off quickly. She sees the floor in transition with good decision making. A nice player with skill that translates and comes from winning basketball.

Gracie Clark - White County, Kentucky Premier - Gracie is one of the most competitive players that you will come across in the 2026 class in Tennessee. She comes from high school basketball that wins a lot while being a key piece of that success. She is simply a do-it-all player for her team and does a good job at it.

Ava Jones - Hutchison, TN Flight - Ava is a finesse 6'1 face up forward with a nice touch the stretches beyond the arch. She has good size that allows her to battle in the paint for boards. She is a game or two away from seeing her recruiting sky rocket.

Lydia Phillips - Clarkrange, East TN Air - One of the top scorers on this list. The kid is tough and finds a way to make plays for herself and teammates. She plays for the one of the winningest high school coaches in the entire country in Lamar Rogers (1200+ wins).

Riley Brooks - Independence, Team BWright - Riley is a 6'2 forward with good hands and footwork on both sides of the rim. She has good mobility on the defensive side and does a good job of blocking shots with her length.

Na'Kayjah Holman - Franklin County, Stars Basketball - Holman is a heady guard with speed, athleticism, and skill. She beats defenders off the dribble with good explosion and active on the defensive end. She has a couple of D1 offers, but should certainly pick up more with a good July showing.

Zoey Nicholas - Pickett County, Kentucky Premier - Zoey is a guard that can create off the dribble and uses her skill to beat defenders. She has a nice mid-range jumper that falls regurlarly. She is a great passer with the basketball and sees the floor well.

Jala Wilson - Whitehaven, TN Flight - Jala is a back-to-the-basket big with decent mobility and fluid movement. The 6'1 forward is strong with good hands. She battles in the post blocking shots, grabbing boards, and running rim to rim. She is one big game away in travel ball from blowing up with a ton of offers.

Michelle Shields - Unaka, Southeast United - Michelle is a crafty guard that scores the ball at a high clip. She is a heady guard that can play with the ball or off the ball. She has deep range beyond the arch and is very much under-recruited.

Natavia Alber - Northview Academy, Kentucky Premier - Natavia recently made the transition over to Kentucky Premier. She is 6'3, long, and blocks a lot of shots. She is a nice addition for Kentucky Premier who could use the size.

KhyKhy Rodgers - Collierville, Memphis Idlewild - KhyKhy is a nice combo guard that comes with toughness. A nice consistent shot with the basketball from the outside sets up her drive to the rim with some craftiness.

Colie Thompson - Christian Academy of Knoxville, East TN Air - Colie is a southpaw wing that can score in a multitude of ways. She is best in transition and understands spacing when running the floor. Thompson is consistent production.

Reese Shirley - Columbia Academy, Team BWright - Reese is a crafty guard with the ball in her hands. She shoots the ball at a high percentage and counters her outside shot with a strong finish on both sides of the rim.

McLayne Bobo - Tullahoma, TN Flight - McLayne displays quickness with the basketball in the open floor. She looks to push when given the opportunity, but also does well with playing in the half court setting. She has no problem letting the 3-ball fly.

Charlie Roby - Cookeville, FBC Reign - Charlie is a quick guard that is consistently making the right plays. She has deep range on her 3-ball when left open. She is comfortable feeding the ball into the post and evident she's been coached up on this. Good all around player.

Bella Shepherd - Lipscomb Academy, Stars Basketball - Bella is a hard nosed guard that plays with a high motor and toughness. She is a high IQ player with scoring capability from beyond the arch. She does a great job of post entry passing as well.

Mary Avery McNeese - Richland, FBC Reign - Mary Avery is energy, athleticism, and toughness. She has natural instincts on the defensive side and scores it from all three levels on the offensive side. Her stock will continue to rise as she develops her game skills.

Myrah Hood - Grace Christian, East TN Air - Myrah is a 5'10 wing with athleticism and skill. She does a great of playing off the ball and understands when to make her cut or spotting up for the 3. A very good player that will make a nice player at the next level.

Maddie Graham - Father Ryan, Team BWright - Maddie is a great shooter with a quick release. She does a good job of.coming off the screen with an understanding of how to properly use that screen to create more space.