2027 Prospects Make Noise on Day 1 of The Classic

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the 2026 The Classic Tournament hosted in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky Exposition Center. This event was one of the NCAA Live Period events, giving college coaches from all levels the chance to evaluate players in a live setting while watching some of the top talent from across the country compete at a high level.   The atmosphere throughout the weekend was outstanding, as teams from multiple states came together to compete against elite competition while players looked to showcase their skills in front of college programs. Events like this continue to be extremely important for exposure, development, and helping athletes gain recognition on a bigger stage.   There was no shortage of talent throughout the tournament, especially from the state of Indiana. Indiana basketball continues to produce high-level players year after year, and this weekend was another example of the depth and talent within the state. From guards making plays with their speed and shot-making ability to forwards controlling the paint with toughness and versatility, Indiana prospects made their presence felt throughout the event.   Over the next few articles, I will be highlighting several players from Indiana who stood out to me during the tournament and discussing the impact they made throughout the weekend.    [player_tooltip player_id='751034' first='Alanna' last='Anthony'] made a strong impression on Day 1 of The Classic Tournament while competing with West Virginia Thunder Rise. Anthony brought tremendous energy throughout the day and consistently impacted the game with her activity level, toughness, and physical style of play.   What stood out the most was the way she competed on both ends of the floor. She played with the type of intensity and effort that resembles an S40-level player, constantly hustling after loose balls, battling for position, and making winning plays that do not always show up in the box score. Her motor never slowed down, and she consistently brought energy every possession.   Offensively, Anthony did a great job attacking the basket with purpose. She took smart and controlled drives to the rim while using her strength and physicality to finish through contact. Defensively, she made things difficult for opposing players with her toughness and willingness to compete.   Anthony's ability to bring effort, physicality, and consistency throughout the game helped her stand out early during the tournament and made her one of the more impactful players to watch on Day 1.     [player_tooltip player_id='1137310' first='Te'Asia' last='Briscoe'] was one of the more active and energetic players to watch on Day 1 of The Classic Tournament. From the opening tip, she played with great intensity and consistently found ways to impact the game on both ends of the floor.   Her length immediately stood out and made things difficult for opposing teams throughout the day. Whether it was finishing around the basket, disrupting passing lanes defensively, or creating extra opportunities with her activity, Briscoe used her size and athleticism extremely well.   Offensively, she did a great job of taking what the defense gave her instead of forcing difficult shots. She stayed patient, made smart reads, and capitalized on scoring opportunities when they presented themselves. Her ability to play under control while still bringing energy helped her remain effective throughout the game.   Briscoe's activity level, length, and ability to make winning plays allowed her to stand out as a player that consistently impacted the flow of the game on Day 1 of the tournament.     [player_tooltip player_id='751087' first='Kendal' last='Price'] had a solid showing during her first game of the weekend at The Classic Tournament. One of the biggest things that stood out about her performance was her decision-making and ability to stay under control while running the offense.   Price consistently took the right shots throughout the game and did not force unnecessary opportunities. She showed patience with the basketball and understood when to attack and when to get her teammates involved. As a point guard, she did a very good job of controlling the pace and keeping the offense organized.   What makes Price effective is her ability to balance facilitating with scoring. While she was focused on getting her teammates involved, she also looked confident finding her own offense and getting quality shots up when the opportunity presented itself. Her ability to manage both roles made her a steady presence on the floor throughout the game.   Price's poise, shot selection, and ability to lead the offense helped her make a strong impression during the opening day of the tournament.     Every time I had the opportunity to watch Elliot compete throughout the weekend, she continued to play at a very high level and consistently impacted the game on both ends of the floor. Her competitive nature and effort stood out every time she stepped on the court.   Offensively, Elliot did a great job of attacking the rim with confidence and playing downhill. She was aggressive when getting to the basket and consistently looked to make plays for her team. Along with her ability to attack, she also did a solid job of finding her shots within the flow of the offense and taking advantage of scoring opportunities when they were available.   What makes Elliot stand out is the way she competes from possession to possession. Whether it was offensively or defensively, she played with energy and toughness while doing everything she could to help her team succeed. Her consistency and willingness to compete at a high level made her one of the standout performers throughout the tournament.     [player_tooltip player_id='896317' first='Taylee' last='Fisher'] was one of the most impressive players to watch throughout the weekend at The Classic Tournament. What immediately stands out about Fisher is her nonstop motor and the energy she brings on both ends of the floor every single possession.   She plays the game with tremendous effort and toughness, constantly hustling all over the court and making winning plays for her team. Whether it was chasing down loose balls, competing defensively, or pushing the pace offensively, Fisher's activity level never slowed down and consistently impacted the game.   Another thing that makes her so impressive is how well she understands her game. Fisher did a great job of making smart decisions with the basketball, finding teammates for open looks, and attacking off the drive when opportunities presented themselves. She played with confidence and under control while consistently putting pressure on the defense.   Her combination of effort, basketball IQ, and competitiveness makes her extremely fun to watch and allows her to impact the game in multiple ways. Fisher's hustle and overall presence on the floor helped her stand out as one of the top performers throughout the event.     McKenzi deserves a lot of credit for the way she competed throughout the weekend, as she consistently played at a very high level every time she stepped on the floor. Her poise and overall feel for the game immediately stood out.   One of the things I liked most about her game was that she never seemed rushed. McKenzi allows the game to come to her naturally, which is something many players at this level still struggle with. She stays patient, plays under control, and makes smart decisions within the flow of the offense. That composure helped her remain effective throughout the game.   Offensively, she showed the ability to impact the game both inside and outside. Whether it was scoring around the basket, attacking opportunities when they opened up, or stepping out and making plays from the perimeter, she displayed a versatile skill set that makes her difficult to guard.   Her combination of patience, skill, and versatility makes her a player that college coaches should continue keeping on their contact list moving forward. McKenzi's ability to play at her own pace while still producing at a high level continues to make her a standout prospect.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the 2026 The Classic Tournament hosted in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky Exposition Center. This event was one of the NCAA Live Period events, giving college coaches from all levels the chance to evaluate players in a live setting while watching some of the top talent from across the country compete at a high level.