GBCA Live Top Performers
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GBCA Live Top Performers


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Maki Joyner2025 6-4 G Maki Joyner – Savannah
Staying till 9 PM on Friday night for a side court game between Savannah and Columbia was worth it, not only for me but for the colleges still in attendance. Maki Joyner shined in a 46-39 loss and picked up a Kennesaw State offer afterwards, his second offer of the month just days after securing an East Carolina bid. Joyner is next up in Savannah. The High improved from 8-15 to 21-8 this past season with Maki being the breakout catalyst. At 6-foot-4, Joyner is a super smooth playmaker with an effortless handle. He breaks down defenders, splits traps and gets into the lane routinely. Joyner sees the floor very well as he whips in no-look passes. Maki has a trusty floater and can finish above the rim when needed. He tallied 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. First impressions don’t get much better. Joyner is legit.

2024 6-8 F Mekhi Turner – Maynard Jackson
It is hard to believe that only two D-I programs – Kennesaw State and Jackson State – have offered Mekhi Turner. The lefty is a handful. Turner is a gifted athlete with great agility. He guards well on the perimeter but is most known for his springy shot blocking ability. On offense, Mekhi has nice moves in the pivot and can score with a right-handed hook shot. Turner attacked from outside the paint in spurts in a 69-50 win over Woodland-Stockbridge to open camp. He has deft footwork, using spin moves to get to the hole from the high post. Mekhi rim runs in transition to catch lobs and will shoot the trail three with good form on his jumper. Turner ripped off 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks. I would be shocked if more D-I offers don’t materialize. Right now, you can classify Turner has a serious sleeper.

Ellis Pitts2024 6-5 SG Ellis Pitts – Gainesville
D-II programs are starting to check in on Ellis Pitts. His size on the perimeter is covetable albeit he is lean and could add more muscle. Pitts is a good athlete. He gets great lift on his jumper and elevates to finish at the rim through contact. The smooth guard has a quick release and plays with a subtle swagger. He doesn’t back down from conversations on the floor and isn’t bigger than the team, still willing to sacrifice his body for charges. Against South Cobb, Pitts netted four threes en route to 22 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. In the right system with a college weight room at his dispense, Pitts could blossom into standout at the next level.

Caleb Jones2025 6-2 G Caleb Jones – Benedictine
Already a household name in Savannah, the rest of the state got to witness the scoring prowess of Caleb Jones at GBCA Live. Jones, a Class 4A First Team All-State pick after leading Benedictine to the Final Four and averaging 21 points per game, carried the Cadets this weekend game in and game out. In a 52-51 win over Sequoyah, it was Jones who hit a pull-up jumper at the buzzer to sink the Chiefs. Caleb is wired to score. He has a funky shot where it looks like he’s nearly shooting the ball with both hands, but no matter how unorthodox it looks, it is effective. Jones netted three threes against Sequoyah, using sidesteps and step-backs to get clean looks. Caleb poured in 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Jones is an interesting prospect for D-I and D-II schools to track.

D'Marion Floyd2024 6-0 PG D’Marion Floyd – Darlington
When D’Marion is aggressive, Darlington is dangerous. Floyd was in attack mode against Hebron Christian, leading the Tigers from behind to secure a 46-41 victory. Floyd was able to slice up the defense and get downhill. He scored on five drives, using his floater to avoid shot blockers. Floyd finished with 17 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists. Outside shooting will likely never be a staple of Floyd’s game, but D’Marion’s athletic playmaking will always cover up for any weaknesses in his game.

2024 6-0 G Jaylen Colon – Kell
Colon flipped a switch in the second half against Jonesboro. After a scoreless opening half and Jonesboro up 22-21, Jaylen unleashed a three-point barrage to bury the Cardinals 55-40. Colon went nuclear with five threes, finishing with 17 points. Jaylen once again proved he could swing momentum of a game in a heartbeat with his shooting. It is impressive how deep Colon’s range is, especially considering he is set shooter that hardly gets any lift off the ground. Maryville College offered in mid-June.

Trevian Callaway2024 6-0 PG Trevian Callaway – Columbia
I love the speed Trevian Callaway plays at. He is a burner with the ball in his hands, an elusive playmaker that breaks down defenders. Callaway sets the tone with his pace. He is a blur in the open floor. Trevian uses a crafty handle to get to his spots. He is a dangerous passer but also a versatile scorer. Callaway hit a pair of threes, a pull-up jumper and got to the rim twice, part of his 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists against Savannah.

Jasiyah Suber2024 6-2 G Jasiyah Suber – Calhoun County
The smooth southpaw poured in 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks in a blow out of Monroe Area. Suber, a Class A D-II Second Team All-State State selection, burns defenses with his ability to score off the dribble. Jasiyah shows off how explosive of an athlete he is when he attacks downhill, but his swift pull-up jumper is what really separates him. Suber knows how to create space on the perimeter to rise up for his outside shot. He sank a pair of threes, netted a pull-up in transition and scored with a floater. Non-D-I schools will want to keep an eye on Suber.

2024 6-4 W DaQuan Young – Thomson
DaQuan Young impressed me with his activity. Young is athletic with a good frame. He’s got fast-twitch reactions on defense, able to earn deflections and alter shots. He is a reliable rebounder. DaQuan sank a three against Long County and went 5-6 from the line. Young did well at getting to the basket. He finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 stelas and 2 blocks.

Justin Burns2024 6-5 W Justin Burns – Monroe
I first saw Justin Burns last October at South Georgia Elite 80 Camp and came away impressed. He looked good once again on Saturday, using his athleticism and motor to impact both sides of the ball. Burns’ bounciness is his top attribute. He uses it to rebound and defend. His offense is continuing to grow. He liked to work in a pull-up jumper with his slashes to the basket. Burns had 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals and 2 blocks in a 36-30 win over Johnson-Savannah. He has tools that are useful at the next level.

Reynolds Escher2025 6-0 PG Reynolds Escher – St. Francis
Reynolds is a big-time producer. I’ve never come away from one of his games feeling like he didn’t give his all. Escher has a high motor and knack for doing a little bit of everything. The way he balances his floor game production all while still scoring the ball is impressive. Reynolds’ nose for the ball and his floor vision were on full display as he shredded Carver-Columbus. Offensively, he scored in transition and on cuts in the halfcourt. Escher compiled 19 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. Escher is one of 2025’s better point guards.

Justin Payne2024 5-10 PG Justin Payne – North Oconee
With a stud freshman and an All-Region transfer now in the picture at North Oconee, Justin Payne has elevated his play in order to remain atop the pecking order when it comes to most trustworthy guards. Payne was great in a 54-53 win over Woodward Academy, posting a game-high 21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Justin has developed into an elusive scorer. He’s quick with the ball as he maneuvers his way to his spots. He’s a good shooter that can also turn the corner and finish downhill. Payne is a key cog in North Oconee’s efficient offense. He cashed in on three corner threes and did a good job getting others into scoring position. D-III schools may want to put Justin on their radar.

2024 6-4 W Cameron James – Chattahoochee
Down 44-21 to St. Pius X at the half, Cameron James nearly led the Cougars all the way back, falling 61-53. James was tremendous, breaking the hearts of small schools in attendance as he erupted for a loud 27 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Cam scored from all over the floor, hitting pull-up jumpers, floaters, converting tough layups and of course, throwing down some highlight dunks. Every time the ball was in James’ hands, something good happened. The defense was unable to stop him from getting wherever he wanted. Cameron’s two-way versatility and impact coupled with his size and athleticism should land him as a priority target for D-II programs.

Jai'on Burns2024 5-10 G Jai’on Burns – Dougherty
Jai’on just could not miss against Portal. The scoring-minded guard poured in five threes on his way to 25 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Burns scored on the catch and off the dribble. He set up defenders with a quick crossover before rising into his jump shot. Jai’on implemented pump fakes to get defenders out of position and attacked with one-dribble pull-ups and drives to the rim. Coming off a run to the Elite Eight, with nearly everyone back, the Trojans are in a great position to make even more noise in Class 3A.