NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – The 30th edition of Peach Jam, one of the premier grassroots basketball events in the United States, has come to a close. The annual tournament, held at the Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta, South Carolina, is a rite of passage for top high school basketball players and a proving ground for college coaches to evaluate the next crop of talent.

Source: sportshub.cbsistatic.com

Draining the Swamp, Literally

The heat in one gym is so intense that it’s not uncommon to see national championship-winning coaches spin on a heel and exit stage left, seeking refuge from the sweltering conditions. Meanwhile, the blasting air conditioning in other gyms has some attendees decked out in sweatsuits from head to toe. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of Peach Jam, which has been a staple of the basketball world for three decades.

This year’s tournament was notable for its lack of high-major size, with the biggest men on the floor often standing at 6-foot-6 or 6-7. That changes the calculus for coaches, who must adapt their evaluations to account for the absence of towering big men.

Starting Five from Peach Jam

So, who stood out at this year’s Peach Jam? Let’s take a closer look at the top performers.

Cayden Daughtry (PG, No. 9 in 247Sports’ Class of 2027)

Daughtry delivered a historic Peach Jam showing, impressing coaches with his slick handle, competitiveness, and demeanor. He’s the top point guard in the country right now, and it’s easy to see why Iowa is so eager to land him. The point guard-coach pairing between Daughtry and Ben McCollum would be an outstanding mind-meld, but it’s clear that Daughtry’s legendary Peach Jam showing has made this anything but easy.

Beckham Black (G, No. 1 in 247Sports’ Class of 2027)

Beckham Black, the younger brother of Anthony Black, did nothing to dissuade his case as the top recruit in the Class of 2027. The 6-3, 180-pound guard is just good at basketball, mixing force, power, craftsmanship, and athleticism with sharp feel off the ball as a cutter. Black’s poise as a playmaker was on full display, with 32 assists to just 13 turnovers in six Peach Jam games, to go along with his cool 24 points a night. Visits to Texas and North Carolina are on the horizon, with numerous big programs in the mix.

Lewis Uvwo (C, No. 6 in 247Sports’ Class of 2027)

Lewis Uvwo can change the game without doing anything offensively. The 6-11 big man averaged six blocks over a seven-game sample size at Peach Jam, including numerous two-hand rejections that defy gravity. His 10-point, nine-rebound, 10-block showing against Team Herro was one of the single best games of the tournament. Uvwo nearly single-handedly forced guards to do a U-turn when they drove into the paint out of fear. The Nigerian product started playing basketball less than three years ago, and while he’s raw, he’s getting better by the day as he learns the game.

Uvwo is a no-brainer, with his pick of the litter on the recruiting front ranging from blue bloods to all the highest bidders. He’s also a delightful human who yelps with glee after swatting shots, plays the game with a massive smile at all times, isn’t afraid to get dunked on, and has a superb personality.

JJ Crawford, the son of Jamal Crawford, can really hoop. The 6-3 guard is regarded as one of the top prospects in the Class of 2029, and it’s not hard to see what’s up next. In front of his dad’s watchful eye, Crawford drained 13 triples in four games at Peach Jam. He’s already got positional size, shooting, and the bloodlines, to boot. Crawford is going to be a five-star prospect for 247Sports when the time comes to rank the 2029 class. This is only the beginning.

Benji Berrouet (F, No. 22 in 247Sports’ Class of 2028)

Benji Berrouet is a monster who seems poised for a major rise up the rankings in the not-so-distant future. The 6-8 forward averaged 17 points, 13 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 1.1 assists while showing an ability to impact the game in a ton of different ways. Berrouet’s motor is outstanding, and he’s just always around the ball. The burly power forward is already a gem, and the spotlight is only going to grow.

How the Commits Will Fit Their Teams

So, how will these top recruits fit into their respective teams? Let’s take a closer look.

Vanderbilt’s Gabe Nesmith (G, No. 33 in 247Sports’ Class of 2026)

Gabe Nesmith is a rock-solid recruit who reclassified to 2026 and will suit up for Vanderbilt in 2026-27. He’s the third-highest rated recruit in Vanderbilt history, and he played like that for stretches last week. Nesmith has real positional size and shows off a pass-dribble-shoot skillset. He had a couple of strong rack attacks that got the gym buzzing.

While Nesmith’s shooting is part of the Nesmith Family Business, shot selection could explain why he knocked down just 27% of his 3-pointers this spring on 118 attempts. Can he keep impacting the game positively with his defense, secondary playmaking, slashing, and rebounding? Nesmith looks like a rotation guy for Vanderbilt in 2026-27, but I’d be surprised if he cracks the starting lineup right away.

Arkansas’ Davion Thompson (G, No. 40 in 247Sports’ Class of 2026)

Davion Thompson can put the ball in the bucket. He averaged 20.8 points and shot 43% from downtown on 8.0 attempts over a five-game sample size at Peach. This was fresh off a high school season where Thompson shot north of 40% from 3-point range on 5.7 attempts for Link Academy. The lefty 6-2 guard can make pull-up 3-pointers in his sleep with real range.

Like Nesmith, Thompson reclassified to 2026, so he can join John Calipari’s club right away. Arkansas needed another guard after Meleek Thomas chose to stay in the 2026 NBA Draft, and there’s a runway for Thompson to play very quickly as the backup point guard who can come in, make good decisions, and knock down shots. I think he’ll play 15ish minutes in Year 1 and then be a major piece of the puzzle in 2027-28.

Arkansas’ Caleb Ourigou (F, No. 51 in 247Sports’ Class of 2027)

Caleb Ourigou is a reclassification buzz story, as he helps shore up Arkansas’ frontline. While he’s not much of an offensive threat these days, Ourigou’s combination of relentless offensive rebounding could help him get on the floor as quickly as next winter. He had multiple offensive rebounds in five of six games at Peach Jam. The 6-9 big man has a 7-3 wingspan and would buff up Arkansas’ interior thump in a tangible way. He’s not a Day One starter, but he can fight for rotational minutes.

Duke’s Kager Knueppel (F, No. 24 in 247Sports’ Class of 2027)

Kager Knueppel is all of 6-10 and can shoot the cover off the ball. That combination is a tremendous base to construct a real valuable role player. Kon Knueppel had way more offensive game, but Kager looks every bit the part of a multi-year contributor for Duke. His attention to detail defensively shined in person, and he earned tough assignments all week. When he gets hot, watch out. Knueppel drained seven treys in a half against Daughtry and the Florida Rebels.

Gonzaga’s Dooney Johnson (G, No. 26 in 247Sports’ Class of 2027)

Gonzaga needs a point guard after Mario Saint-Supery’s stunning exit to go back to Spain. Dooney Johnson is a talented young guard who impressed coaches with his playmaking and shooting ability. He’s a long way from a finished product, but he’s got the potential to be a key contributor for the Bulldogs in the future.