2026 Circle City Classic: Recruiting Stock Watch

The Circle City Classic was a great event that showcased some of the top local talent in the state of Indiana. This recap highlights one program with two teams that found success over the weekend—WV Thunder (Perry) 16U S40 and WV Thunder 17U Rise Harrington each featuring multiple players who are seeing their recruitment trends upward and should be firmly on the radar of college coaches. This piece will spotlight three or more players from each team who elevated their stock with strong performances throughout the event. There were plenty of other standout performers as well, which will be featured in a separate article. The players highlighted below made the most of their opportunities and put their skill sets on full display this past weekend.   WV Thunder (Perry) 16U S40   I've had the opportunity to watch West Virginia Thunder S40 multiple times, and each time they take the floor, they continue to show noticeable growth. This is a well-coached, connected group that plays unselfish basketball and competes at a high level. Their chemistry stands out, as they move the ball well and maintain a balanced scoring attack.   The three players highlighted from this group are [player_tooltip player_id='751044' first='Brooklyn' last='Roberts'] (Lawrence North), Korinne Nicholson (Pike), and [player_tooltip player_id='751120' first='Shania' last='Curry'] (Ben Davis). Each of these prospects competed at a high level this past weekend, consistently impacting the game on both ends of the floor.   All three have bright futures ahead and should see increased attention from college coaches, especially as we head into the upcoming live period events.    [player_tooltip player_id='751044' first='Brooklyn' last='Roberts'] has consistently shown the ability to rise to the occasion when challenges are put in front of her. I saw that firsthand this past high school season at Lawrence North, where she stepped into a larger scoring role, and she has carried that confidence and production into the AAU season.   Roberts brings a physical presence on the offensive end, doing a great job of getting downhill, absorbing contact, and consistently getting to the free throw line. She plays through contact well and finishes strong around the rim. In addition, she keeps defenders honest with her ability to knock down open shots from the perimeter, making her a tough cover in both half-court and transition situations.   Beyond scoring, she competes with a high motor and plays with a level of toughness that impacts winning. Her ability to handle increased responsibility and still produce efficiently continues to stand out. She currently holds an offer from Detroit Mercy, and as she continues to perform this spring and summer, she should see more programs get involved—especially within the Horizon League and similar mid-major levels.     Korinne Nicholson is a player I believe is poised to make a lot of noise this season while continuing to draw increased attention from college coaches. The Pike guard brings a strong level of mental toughness and competes at a high level every time she steps on the floor.   She does a great job using her size and physicality to her advantage, especially when attacking defenders off the dribble. Nicholson plays downhill with purpose, embraces contact, and consistently looks to make plays for herself and her team. Her aggressive mindset and ability to impact the game set her apart.   Nicholson currently holds offers from the University of Alaska Anchorage and IU Kokomo, and with the way she is trending, this spring and summer could be a big stretch for her recruitment. Expect her to continue building momentum and adding to her offer list as more college programs take notice.     [player_tooltip player_id='751120' first='Shania' last='Curry'] brings a level of competitiveness, energy, and mental toughness that was on full display this past weekend, and it's only a matter of time before more college coaches take notice—if they haven't already from her time with WV Thunder (Perry) 16U S40 last year.   She played a major role in Ben Davis' success this past high school season and has carried that same impact into her AAU play. Curry consistently brings effort on both ends of the floor and competes with a high motor, setting the tone for her team through her play.   Offensively, she is comfortable operating from the wing, where she can handle the basketball and create opportunities for herself and others. She also has the ability to space the floor with her perimeter shooting, making her a versatile threat within the offense. With her continued development and consistent production, Curry is a player whose recruitment should continue to grow as she heads into a key spring and summer stretch.    WV Thunder 17U Rise Harrington   This past weekend was a memorable showing for this group, as they built off their performance at the Shamrock Classic and continued to trend upward. Each time they step on the floor, you can see the growth, both individually and as a unit.   This roster is made up of local talent that shares a strong bond and chemistry, and it shows in the way they play together. They communicate well, move the ball, and consistently put team success ahead of individual accolades. Their unselfish style and understanding of one another make them a tough team to guard and a difficult matchup.   What stands out most is their competitiveness. This group plays with a high level of energy and a clear desire to win every possession, which is something college coaches look for. That mindset, combined with their collective skill, allows them to compete at a high level in every game. The players highlighted: [player_tooltip player_id='1816896' first='Bra'laun' last='Leavell'], [player_tooltip player_id='751077' first='Jazlyn' last='Miller'], and [player_tooltip player_id='751090' first='Laila' last='Scott-Knox']—each showcased their ability to impact the game in different ways while helping lead their team throughout the weekend.    [player_tooltip player_id='1816896' first='Bra'laun' last='Leavell'] may not always receive the recognition or attention she deserves, but this past weekend she certainly put together a performance that demands it. The 2027 guard plays the game the right way and continues to show steady growth each time she steps on the floor.   Leavell is quick and shifty with the basketball, using her pace and change of direction to keep defenders off balance. She plays with confidence and intent, and it's easy to see that she is always operating with a purpose when the ball is in her hands. Whether she is attacking the rim with aggression or pulling up to knock down shots, she consistently puts pressure on the defense.   Her ability to create off the dribble and make plays for herself stands out, but so does her willingness to compete and impact the game in multiple ways. She brings a level of energy and excitement every time she steps on the court, making her a tough matchup for opposing defenses. With her continued development and recent performance, Leavell is a player who should start to see more college coaches take notice this spring and summer—and she has the tools to turn that into future opportunities.     [player_tooltip player_id='751077' first='Jazlyn' last='Miller'], also known as “Jazz,” is another player who doesn't always receive the recognition she deserves, but her impact on the court is easy to notice once you watch her closely. Every time she steps on the floor, she competes at a high level and plays with a clear focus and desire to win.   Miller has a smooth, consistent jump shot that she can rely on to score from the perimeter, but she also shows the ability to attack off the dribble and create for herself and others. She has a good understanding of how to read defenses, whether it's breaking down a set defense or making the right play in transition. Her vision allows her to find open teammates and keep the offense flowing.   What also stands out is her composure and decision-making. Miller plays with poise, doesn't get sped up easily, and understands how to play within the flow of the game. She is a smart guard who consistently makes the right reads and impacts the game in a variety of ways.   In addition to her skill set, Miller is very coachable and communicates well on both ends of the floor. She brings a positive presence, listens, and applies coaching, which is evident in her steady development. As she continues to grow her game, Miller is a player whose combination of skill, IQ, and intangibles should continue to attract attention from college programs moving forward.     From watching a few of her high school games to now seeing her in AAU play, she has continued to show growth and consistency in running the point guard position. She does a solid job of managing the offense, setting the tone, and keeping her team organized on the floor.   What really stands out is her effort and competitiveness, especially on the defensive end. She plays extremely hard, pressures the ball, and brings a level of toughness that sets the tone for her team. Her intensity and willingness to compete make her a disruptive presence defensively.   The North Central guard brings a competitive edge every time she steps on the floor, and her mentality is a big part of what makes her effective. Offensively, she is capable of making plays and contributing to the flow of the game, but it's her energy, leadership, and defensive presence that elevate her overall impact.   With her skill set and motor, she has the tools to contribute at the collegiate level. As she continues through the AAU season, she is a player who has the ability to make some noise and draw the attention of college programs.

The Circle City Classic was a great event that showcased some of the top local talent in the state of Indiana. This recap highlights one program with two teams that found success over the weekend—WV Thunder (Perry) 16U S40 and WV Thunder 17U Rise Harrington each featuring multiple players who are seeing their recruitment trends upward and should be firmly on the radar of college coaches. This piece will spotlight three or more players from each team who elevated their stock with strong performances throughout the event. There were plenty of other standout performers as well, which will be featured in a separate article. The players highlighted below made the most of their opportunities and put their skill sets on full display this past weekend.