In July, the top JUCO prospects in the 2026 class headed to Atlanta for the All-American JUCO Showcase Invitational. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight some of the top performers who stood out among the nation's best.
These are in no particular order and will feature five players per article.
Trent Lincoln | 6'3 CG | Gulf Coast State
Lincoln had an excellent freshman season at Chipola before transferring to Gulf Coast State for his sophomore campaign. The 6'3" lefty showed his versatility by attacking the rim aggressively, knocking down threes with deep range, and distributing the ball. We evaluated Lincoln during the June team event at Wallace State and again at the JUCO Showcase, and he showed his ability to be dominant in both settings. Following his strong summer performance, Lincoln received offers from numerous schools, including Arkansas State, San Jose State, Bowling Green, La Salle, Louisiana Tech, Jacksonville State, Alcorn State, Northridge, UMKC, Quinnipiac, Monmouth, Stephen F. Austin, and Youngstown State.
College/Pro Coaches: Click below for more info and to subscribe to our scouting service (The JUCO Recruiting Report/EBS Scouting).
KJ Perry | 6'3 CG | Citrus College
Perry entered the event as one of the most heavily recruited prospects and performed well in front of numerous mid- and high-major programs. He’s an explosive guard with a frame built for the next level and can get downhill at will, constantly putting pressure on the defense. He elevates on his jump shot from both mid-range and beyond the arc, making him a high-level offensive threat. On the defensive end, Perry also impressed by applying consistent pressure and disrupting opposing ball handlers. He holds offers from Kansas, Cincinnati, NC State, Oregon, Arizona State, TCU, USC, BYU, UNLV, SMU, UC Santa Barbara, UMass, Louisiana Tech, Fresno State, and more. Perry has scheduled official visits to SMU (Sep 4-6), BYU (Sept 11-12), TCU (Sept 19-21), Oregon (Sept 27-28), and an unofficial visit to USC on August 25th.
Kahu Treaher | 6'9 F | Eastern Arizona
Treacher came into the July live period following a strong showing with New Zealand in the FIBA U19s, and he didn’t disappoint. The skilled and versatile 6'9" forward is relentless on both ends of the floor and brings a lot of winning intangibles. He showed the ability to knock down threes, score with either hand in the paint, and defend multiple positions. Treacher’s motor runs nonstop, and he attacks the glass aggressively on both ends. His game translates well to the next level, and he’s poised for an excellent season with a talented Eastern Arizona squad. He picked up offers from Bradley, UMass, Portland, Bowling Green, Southern Utah, and Northridge.
Damarion Vann-Kelly | 6'4 G | NW Florida State
Vann-Kelly was one of the most sought-after JC transfers this summer after putting up big numbers during his freshman campaign at NEO A&M, where he averaged 16 PPG and shot nearly 50% from three on 159 attempts. In July, he consistently made smart decisions with the ball in his hands. He picked his spots effectively and let the game come to him without forcing the action offensively. He was efficient and versatile as a scorer, mixing in deep threes with mid-range jumpers. Whether in catch-and-shoot situations or pulling up off the dribble, Vann-Kelly proved he could score from multiple levels while still playing controlled basketball. He held numerous offers entering July, and picked up additional offers from East Carolina, Northridge, San Jose State, and UMKC. Vann-Kelly set an official visit with East Carolina on September 20th.
Matt Mbole | 6'11 C | South Georgia Tech
We had the chance to evaluate Mbole at the Alabama JUCO Team Event in June and again at the All-American JUCO Showcase Invitational in July. He’s made noticeable strides since his freshman year at South Georgia Tech and continues to develop his offensive game. This summer, he showed the ability to stretch the floor by hitting open threes while also scoring on the block with a variety of back-to-the-basket moves. At 6'11", he has a huge frame, along with good hands and footwork that make him a tough matchup inside. He impacts the game on both ends, is an active shot blocker with good timing, and a reliable rebounder who competes on the glass. Mbole’s steady effort and impact didn’t go unnoticed, as he picked up offers from Southern Miss and Jacksonville State.
Written by
