Bob Gibbons Top Performers
Analysis

Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions: Top Performers

Brandon Rechsteiner2023 6-1 PG Brandon Rechsteiner – Atlanta All-Stars – Etowah
Down the stretch when it mattered most, Brandon Rechsteiner made all the big plays, further establishing himself as one of the best point guards in Georgia and one of the most trustworthy playmakers the state has to offer in crunch-time. Rechsteiner’s elite handle and pinpoint accuracy led to a 62-59 win over Judah Nation on Friday Night. He drained 4 threes and finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Rechsteiner is a highlight waiting to happen. He’s so smooth and precise with the ball in his hands, able to get to his spots with a quick burst of speed. He drilled pull-up threes, using a behind the back dribble into a step-back to create enough space. Late in the second half it wasn’t Brandon’s scoring that put the All-Stars over the top, it was his defense and distribution. Rechsteiner’s strength allows him shoot passes across the floor on the money as the defense scrambles. He got his big men involved, drawing the attention of the defense and hitting his posts on alley oops and spoon feeds. Mid-Major programs have poured in offers this spring. With his handle, deep range and court vision, it wouldn’t come as a shock if a Power 5 school eventually got involved.

Spencer Elliott2023 6-9 PF Spencer Elliott – Atlanta All-Stars – St. Pius X
A blossoming post presence that has vacuumed up offers from Tulane, Kennesaw State, Mercer, Mount St. Mary’s and Indiana State this spring, Spencer Elliott put together a strong first night at Gibbons, collecting 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks. Named Class 5A Best Shot Blocker, Elliott makes a huge impact with his defense. He’s got tremendous length and has continually added on muscle to his frame. He moves well, able to help defend on the perimeter when switched onto guards. When he grabs rebounds, Elliott is capable of pushing the ball up the floor. While finishing through contact is still an area for growth, Spencer did a nice job of converting at the foul line going 6-9. Elliott has a soft touch on the low block with a turnaround jumper and has shown his hook shot as a legitimate weapon over the high school season. With his size, length and mobility, Elliott has considerable upside at the next level.

2022 6-4 F Cam Bleshoy – Atlanta Timberwolves White – Pope
The unsigned senior is a great athlete that springs off the floor for rebounds and blocks. Bleshoy provides great toughness in the paint and has the ability to attack off the dribble and space the floor from three. Cam is a high energy player. He does the dirty work inside and is a strong finisher around the rim with nice footwork. He tallied 13 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in Game 1. Bleshoy is a steady player that would be a late boon for a NAIA or D-III school.

2024 6-1 PG Luke Flynn – Atlanta Timberwolves White – Walton
Luke Flynn filled up the stat sheet on Friday night with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Flynn is a point guard at the next level, but has some combo capabilities in his game as he’s productive both on and off the ball. Flynn is a great three-point shooter that has gotten better and better at creating for himself off the dribble. He’s got a sharp pull-up and has the toughness to get all the way to the rim, absorbing fouls while doing so. Western Carolina and most recently, Tennessee Tech have offered.

2023 6-6 W Harris Jackson – Judah Nation – Thomasville
Playing with the Florida-based Judah Nation, Harris Jackson stood out with his size and scoring. A potential major stock riser out of South Georgia, Jackson is a fierce competitor. He’s got a high release that helps him shoot over defenders and is solid driver when he decides to get to the hoop. Jackson has the strength to finish through contact and the fire to let opponents know. Harris impressed with his toughness on the glass, rebounding in traffic against the Atlanta All-Stars’ huge frontline. Jackson looks like a three-level scorer and a prospect that is starting to come into his own.

Da'Avion Thomas2023 6-0 PG Da’Avion Thomas – AE5 – McDonough
The reigning Class 4A Player of the Year called game, pouring in 18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal including hitting the isolation pull-up jumper with 2 seconds left to lift AE5 to an exciting 72-70 victory on Night 1. Thomas was his usual dazzling self, so tough with the dribble and adept at getting to where he wanted to go. Thomas loved to use aggressive defenders’ tight defense against them, spinning off their body to get them behind him before launching his pull-up jumper. He utilized his pull-up to perfection, hitting three mid-range jumpers and two short shots in the paint. Defensively, Da’Avion sacrificed his body and took a charge. Thomas is an upper echelon point guard in Georgia. While his height may hinder his recruitment a little, Thomas is a serious playmaker with a polished scoring touch. D-I schools should track him closely.

Devon Rainey2023 6-3 W Devon Rainey – AE5 – Jonesboro
After a slow 1-6 start in the first half, Devon Rainey connected on his final five shot attempts serving as an X-Factor in AE5’s last second win over Team Trezz. Rainey scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half while adding 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Whoot’s defense sparked his offense in true Jonesboro fashion, forcing turnovers with his length and getting on the glass for easy buckets. The lefty sank a pair of threes and got to the rim with authority, throwing down a late slam. The football standout made a nice jump his junior season and will be a centerpiece of a balanced Jonesboro backcourt his senior year.

2023 6-6 F Albert Wilson III – AE5 – North Cobb Christian
Good luck defending Albert Wilson. In from Arizona, Wilson made an immediate splash in Year 1 at North Cobb Christian winning Region 7 Player of the Year and being named Class A-Private First Team All-State. Wilson has man-child tendencies, able to take over games with his physicality and robust offensive arsenal. Albert is a mismatch and a nightmare to defend especially when working the high post. Wilson shoots the ball very well with three-point range, but is also strong off the bounce and can score with either hand. Instead of unleashing his back to the basket game on Friday night, Wilson’s damage came on skillful drives to the rim, spinning his way to the hoop. The double-double threat is also a steady rebounder that ignites fastbreaks with his ball handling. Wilson compiled 10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. The combo-forward may be a bit of a tweener but his skill is too high for him not to draw a ton of attention. He has some similarities to that of 2022 Cris Carroll (Osborne). Wilson is a D-I player in my book and at the very least a major priority high level D-II steal.

Stephon Castle2023 6-6 G Stephon Castle – Atlanta Xpress – Newton
Anytime the Atlanta Xpress needed a bucket, the UConn-commit delivered, much like he did during the high school season. Castle poured in 25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal in a 65-54 win over the Norcross Heat. As always, Castle excelled at getting to the rim and drawing contact. He went 11-15 from the foul line. Stephon does a great job of using his body. He’s tough when he drives left and finishes with his right hand through defenders. Castle has deep three-point range and is an effective rebounder and defender thanks to his size and length.

2022 6-8 F Daniel Pounds – Atlanta Xpress – Newton
Committed to play at Combine Academy, I still find it hard to believe that Daniel Pounds won’t end up on a High Major roster. Pounds has way too many skills and elite physical tools. He didn’t get to showcase his full arsenal as much at Newton this past season, but Pounds is a mismatch in a variety of ways. Before we get to his offensive skills, it starts with Daniel’s motor. No big man sprints the floor harder and quicker than Pounds. He rim runs like a gazelle and is always looking to catch lobs. Daniel has big time bounce and can catch anything thrown in his vicinity. Aside from his athletic gifts, Pounds is a well-rounded scorer. He can space the floor with range out to the three-point line and has quality ball skills to take his man off the dribble, especially if it’s a lumbering true post. Daniel’s quick leaping and length make him a nuisance on the offensive glass. He finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals, getting a pair of dunks, a lob layup, two putbacks and a mid-range jumper. Don’t write off Pounds.

Karris Bilal2024 6-2 CG Karris Bilal – Georgia Stars 2024 – Riverwood
Part of Georgia’s rare 30-point-per-game club at the high school level, the prolific scorer showcased his shot making ability this weekend. Bilal scores at all three levels and in a variety of ways but possibly his favorite shot is the pull-up. Karris gets to his spots in the mid-range and creates separation without needing a ball screen at all times. Bilal takes tough shots, ones that only the best of the best can hit. He likes to go side-to-side, able to shoot off the dribble from deep going left or right as he locates the rim while floating in the air. To be able to make such shots, Bilal has to have great balance and focus once he rises into his release. Karris finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in a win over the Miami Blue Rays, impressing with his quick hands and aggressive on-ball defense. In a loss to CP3, Bilal added 13 points.

Trajen Greco2024 6-2 PG – Trajen Greco – Georgia Stars 2024 – Mill Creek
The dual-sport athlete had a great sophomore season at Mill Creek and has rolled his strong play into the spring. Greco is a jack of all trades. He stuffs the stat sheet routinely and displays a high IQ for how to positively impact games. A smooth scorer, Greco can both fill it up with his jumper or use his quickness and power to get downhill. He brings a gridiron toughness when finishing through contact and rebounding in a crowd. In transition, it’s Greco’s quarterback vision that makes him such a good passer. He pushes the ball and delivers perfect lead passes right on the money as he pitches ahead over the top of the retreating defense. Greco tallied 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 1 block vs. the Miami Blue Rays. He’s a team-altering presence. It will be interesting to see if he decides to remain a Hawk or fly the nest.

Khalon Hudson2023 6-5 W Khalon Hudson – Southern Kings – Westside-Augusta
Khalon Hudson is verifiably the man after averaging 17.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, leading Westside-Augusta to their first ever state title. Hudson’s stock has erupted in my eyes, the climb officially starting for me when he dominated in the Class 2A Final Four with 27 points, 19 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. Hudson is a machine from the high post. He has a strong frame and the skill to play both inside and out as a combo-forward. Hudson’s mid-range jumper is near automatic and his range continues to extend. Khalon buried 4 threes – two And-1s – on his way to 23 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 3 blocks in a 66-62 win over the Upward Stars. Hudson uses a mechanical and repeatable motion, bringing the ball above his head before launching with a high release. When he’s not drilling outside shots, Hudson is attacking off the dribble. He converted a smooth And-1 spin with his left hand and later drove left and finished through contact with his right. Khalon is rugged when in the paint. He’s a consistent rebounder and on offense, he works hard to seal for post-up opportunities. Hudson is an interesting prospect for all levels to keep an eye on. His 4.2 GPA and membership of the National Honor Society will open countless doors for him. High D-II may be where he sees the most interest but I wouldn’t be surprised if Hudson ends up at the D-I level one day.

Tycen McDaniels2023 6-7 W Tycen McDaniels – Georgia South – Spencer
Another blossoming first-time state champion bringing his game to another level, Tycen McDaniels is for sure a D-I prospect but somehow only has a Columbus State offer in hand. Elite length, size and athleticism from the wing/combo-forward position is too much to pass up. McDaniels is a game-changing defender with his shot blocking. His quickness and wingspan allow him to clean up any shots at the rim. Tycen’s offensive game is underappreciated and is still improving. He can knock down the mid-range jumper and can hit the open three. Aside from putbacks, McDaniels scores off the dribble slicing to the rim. With his length, he can get to the hoop and extend the ball away from his body to avoid any shot blockers and finish through contact. McDaniels had a pair of And-1 drives, finishing with both hands as he recorded 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 blocks in a win over South Florida. McDaniels’ versatility on defense gives him great value as he can play atop the press, keep guards in front in the half court and can defend five men. Coming off a season in which he averaged 16.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.9 blocks, it is time to buy stock now on Tycen McDaniels.

2023 5-10 PG Bilal Abdur-Rahman – Team Huncho – WD Mohammed
Not many point guards play at the pace Bilal Abdur-Rahman is comfortable operating at. Abdur-Rahman has blinding speed and constantly has his defenders on their heels. His shifty quickness and elusive ball handling lets him get to his spots at will, firing pull-up jumpers from the mid-range and three-point line. Bilal breaks down defenders so quickly, it often puts them in no man’s land, torn between playing up to take away his outside shot or giving cushion so he doesn’t fly by. What separates Bilal isn’t just his speed, it’s his efficiency. He’s a shot maker from all over the floor while still managing to distribute. Bilal can thrive if he has shooters alongside him to drive and kick to. Part of a loaded 2023 point guard class, Abdur-Rahman is still near the upper echelon of the group. D-I and D-II schools have him on their radars.