Combine Academy is a top national program based out of Lincolnton, NC that is brimming with talent year in and year out. One of their exciting incoming players is top 2026 guard, Yohance Connor. Connor is an explosive and versatile guard that plays with a chip on his shoulder and can impact the game in a variety of ways. He’s skilled and can create for himself and others, but he can also dazzle with acrobatic and explosive finishes when he takes off around the basket. He’s also a lockdown defender, and therefore is a formidable two-way presence in the backcourt. Throughout adidas 3SSB play this spring and summer, he was a major catalyst for Team Loaded VA 16U.
In this interview with Pro Insight’s Zach Welch, Connor talked about his brother’s influence on his basketball journey, how he’s benefited from playing against older players, his God-given bounce, his competitive energy, the bond he shares with his community, and much more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2026 prospect Yohance Connor, from Salisbury, NC:
Pro Insight: Can you introduce yourself and walk us through how you got into basketball in the first place? Where has your journey taken you so far?
Yohance Connor: My name is Yohance Connor. I’m from Salisbury, North Carolina. I play for the Team Loaded VA 16U team. I first started playing basketball when I was three years old. Ever since then, it’s just been me and my brother in the gym working out, just trying to get better every day, using NBA player’s games.
PI: What got you into basketball in the first place?
YC: My big brother. I used to be four or five years old going to his high school games and it was a public school, he went to North Rowan. So I just liked the atmosphere, the crowd, the energy, and I’ve seen him doing it. I looked up to him, so that’s what made me want to do it as I got older.
PI: What do you think was the biggest thing you learned from watching him play?
YC: His jump shot. He’s got a nice shot. He can shoot, he’s a leader on and off the court. Just helping the right people out, making the right decision and right pass…just being that star player.
PI: And you said that you like to try to take away pieces from NBA players’ games. Who are some players that you enjoy or like to study a lot?
YC: Right now, currently, Anthony Edwards. Of course, Ja Morant, Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka [Doncic], Kyrie [Irving]...
PI: What are some things you’ve learned from them?
YC: I really named mostly all guards. Just being a leader on the court. Getting my teammates in position, being vocal, talking to them, just cheering them up – especially when we get in tough situations – just putting that piece [of advice] in their ear that “We’ve got this. Stay in control.”
PI: Looking at this past high school season, how would you say you grew the most throughout it?
YC: I’ve been playing up as long as I can remember, so this is me playing my actual age group now. Just playing up, playing with older guys, I used to be at the park playing with grown men. So just learning to be physical and go out there and you’ve got to go get it, you know?
PI: What is the biggest way your game has grown in the past several months?
YC: I feel like my jumpshot, pull-up, my IQ, my passing…I feel like my ability to have something that I’m good at and become great at – like, getting downhill I’m very very great – that’s what I feel like is the main thing I improved on. That, and working on my weaknesses.
PI: If you had to pick the number one way that you impact winning, what would that be?
YC: Energy. I stay consistent on both sides of the floor, every possession. I play every possession like it’s a championship-winning possession, so I just give it all I’ve got. No possessions off.
PI: Where does that energy come from? What drives you to play like that?
YC: My family. That’s really one of the main things. My family back home, it’s hard on them, so I just want to be the one to keep going, no matter what.
PI: You play with a lot of athleticism too; you have some real bounce. Where does that come from?
YC: God-given. It’s God-given. Yeah.
PI: Is there anybody else in your family who is similarly gifted or is it just you?
YC: Some people told me my pops was a little bouncy, but my brother, he had some bounce, too. But really, I think I’m the one who actually took off with it. It’s just getting ridiculous.
PI: What’s your favorite thing to do on the basketball court?
YC: Get that fast-break wide-open dunk. It’s that same thing; it’s just energy. I like to get the crowd going, get my teammates involved, and just have fun, most importantly. It’s just, play hard, have fun.
PI: The rest of this summer, do you have any goals in mind? What’s your mindset?
YC: Get in the weight room. Get bigger, faster, stronger. Keep competing at a high level and just learn something from what our trainers are seeing. Watching film and seeing what I need to work on. Work on all my weaknesses. Stay in the gym, stay motivated, and stay consistent.
PI: Can you walk us through your workout process and what your work ethic is like?
YC: In the gym everyday, day and night. Usually, it’ll be like 5AMs, then in the afternoon, and come back later in the night and just staying consistent because there’s always somebody working everywhere. There’s always somebody working, so I just want to make sure I’m prepared for any battle that comes my way.
PI: As you think about playing on the 3SSB circuit, what are some of your takeaways?
YC: It’s been great. This is actually my first time ever playing on the circuit. I like the gym, the people, everything. Especially since Loaded is like a family, I’m really glad I got the chance to come here and showcase my skills and my game. I love the circuit; the circuit is great.
PI: What do you feel like you’ve gotten to showcase the most so far?
YC: With my bounce, I really turn people’s heads and get them on their feet. I make them say “Who is that kid?”
PI: What’s it like playing with this Team Loaded group? What stands out and how have you done so far?
YC: I feel like we’re very competitive. We all talk to each other and just stay locked in. We try to know our personnel and know what each of us can do and just stay with great positive energy and stay locked in with each other.
PI: What’s the latest with your recruitment? How’s that been going so far?
YC: My recruitment’s going great. I think I’m currently at like 13-14 offers, something like that. My recruitment’s been going great.
PI: Who are some of the schools you feel like have been prioritizing you so far?
YC: I don’t really know. I haven’t talked to too many yet, so I don’t know enough yet to say.
PI: Are there any schools you’d be excited to get in touch with or see more involved with your recruitment?
YC: Duke.
PI: Why is that?
YC: I’ve just always liked Duke when I was little. The color, everything about it.
PI: Beyond dream schools, what are some other factors that are important to you in a college?
YC: Going to somewhere where I can really just go out there, have fun, be comfortable, play my game. Just play at a fast pace, in any situation that can really fit my game.
PI: Were you watching March Madness this year? Were there any fun moments that stood out to you?
YC: The University of Houston. Now that’s one school that I really like. Their energy, their defense, they really just stay on it. That’s what excites me. I actually looked at them and I was like “Dang, I feel like they play my type or style of basketball. Fast, defense…”
PI: Where does that pride in the defensive end come from for you?
YC: Being young, when I was little at the park, I don’t like anybody scoring on me. I take pride in my defense. Defense wins games at the end of the day.
PI: Are there any visits you’re looking to take in the coming months?
YC: Not really, no sir. If they call, yeah!
PI: If you could walk away from this summer giving one big takeaway to college coaches and fans about you, the way you carry yourself, and your game, what do you want that to be?
YC: I want them to say “I want that kid. I feel like that kid could be a great fit at my program on both sides of the ball.”
PI: Where do you see yourself in five, six years?
YC: In the NBA. Working hard in the NBA, just staying on the grind. And helping the community, helping the kids back where I’m from do the same thing that I did.
PI: Can you speak on the importance to your community and the connection you feel to them?
YC: Really just, it’s like survival mode. I thank God that I’m blessed to be here right now, doing what I’m doing now. Playing basketball, just staying on the right track, great grades, everything to have a better future and a better life.
PI: If you were to one day wake up with a large sum of money in your bank account, what would be the first thing you’d do with it?
YC: Buy my own gym. Buy my own gym and take care of my family really. Help others and put others in a position to be financially stable. And buy some land somewhere.
PI: Outside of basketball, do you have any other interests, passions, or hobbies?
YC: Fishing, basketball, video games, and just having fun with great energy.
PI: Down the line, if you were able to get an NIL deal, is there a dream NIL deal for you? A cool company to partner with?
YC: I don’t know. Probably some sort of airline…free flights!
PI: If you could give yourself a personal hashtag to describe yourself on or off the court, what would it be?
YC: #Humble. I’m humble and bring positive energy to the world and to everybody that I come to interact with.
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