GBCA Live Boys 2026 Top Performers
Analysis

GBCA Live Boys: 2026 Top Performers


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Kuol Deng2026 6-10 F Kuol Deng – Calvary Day
Kuol Deng is dripping with upside. He looks like a completely different player from when I last saw him. Kuol is leaner and more athletic. He is playing on the perimeter and looks very fluid with the ball in his hands. Against Monroe, Deng hit a pair of baseline out of bounds three-pointers. He created off the dribble, getting to his mid-range pull-up – a shot that is uncontestable at the high school level with his length and lift. Kuol scored out of the pick-and-roll, diving to the hoop to drop in a floater. He scored on a pair of putbacks including an And-1 dunk. With his physical skills and much improved shooting touch, Deng is starting to put it all together. Kuol finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 3 blocks. If Deng can continue to improve over his final two seasons, I don’t see why Mid-Majors and possibly even High Majors wouldn’t want to invest in the long-term development of the near 7-footer.

Tatum Holmes2026 6-5 W Tatum Holmes – Johns Creek
I am starting to really like Tatum Holmes. I’ve seen him twice this summer and have come away impressed both times with his diverse offensive game and more importantly, his versatility and ability to impact games aside from scoring. Tatum is a Swiss Army Knife on defense with his length and athleticism. He can guard inside and out and is valuable as a switchable rangy defender when fighting against screens. In a 55-50 win over Starr’s Mill, Holmes’ offense was on point. He netted three three-pointers, used hesitation dribbles to get downhill and mixed in some mid-range pull-ups. Holmes rebounds well from his wing position, crashing the glass for second chances. Tatum double-doubled with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists. I think he has a chance to pop up on D-II radars.

Donaven Thomas2026 5-11 G Donaven Thomas – Maynard Jackson
I am a big fan of Donaven Thomas’ offensive game. He is wired-to-score, a major point producer with his jump shot. Thomas will have plenty of opportunities to show what he can do following the graduation and transfer of key pieces. Donaven is really good at getting to his spots off the dribble. Against Newton, he hit two mid-range pull-ups to pair with his three three-pointers. Thomas finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals, scoring half of the Jaguars’ points. The standout baseball player is worth watching over the next two seasons.

Jerrin Samuel2026 6-4 G Jerrin Samuel – Winder-Barrow
Jerrin racked up his second D-I offer after GBCA Live, earning a bid to Ohio to pair with his Tennessee Tech offer from last June. Voorhees also offered at the conclusion of the weekend. Samuel went for 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in a 41-33 win over Woodstock. The lean lefty hit three pull-up jumpers, using a crossover to free himself. Samuel saw some action in the paint, scoring on a putback and converting a tough reverse layup off the dribble. With his size, length and outside shot, Jerrin checks a lot of boxes for D-I programs. With two more seasons to develop, expect a steady ascent for Samuel.

Josiah Azu2026 6-1 G Josiah Azu – South Paulding
Needing to step up with running mates injured and teammates out due to football, Josiah Azu did just that as his strong summer continued, dropping in 18 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in a loss against King’s Ridge. The wiry guard scored the first 11 points of the game for the Spartans. Azu’s offense comes primarily from his jump shooting ability. He hits pull-ups from the mid-range and beyond the arc. Josiah’s off the bounce game has improved. He uses a sharp crossover to get into his jumper but can also get to the hoop with his floater. Continuing to add strength to his frame will help him become an even better slasher. Non-D-I programs are starting to track Azu.

2026 6-2 G Dontrell Jackson – Westside-Augusta
Dontrell brings so much to the game aside from scoring. Jackson is a tenacious defender with some of the quickest hands in the state. He is a true thief with how adept he is at pickpocketing guards. Jackson orchestrates Westside’s high-flying transition offense. He passes the ball well and is always willing to pass up his own easy looks so a teammate can score instead. Against Sandy Creek, Jackson netted a three and went coast-to-coast on a baseline out of bounds, showing his speed. Dontrell finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals in a 52-41 win over Sandy Creek.

2026 6-2 G McCord Purdy – Pickens
I really appreciate the toughness McCord Purdy brings to the floor. In a win over Baldwin, McCord stood out by doing the little things. The strongly built guard had no second thoughts about sacrificing his body to draw charges. He made the extra pass on offense while remaining aggressive as a scorer, getting to the basket off the dribble while implementing short pull-ups and showcasing three-point range off the catch. Purdy pitched in 9 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in a 40-29 victory.

Jaylin Sweat2026 6-6 F Jaylin Sweat – Bradwell Institute
Jaylin caught my eye right away. At 6-foot-6 with a strong athletic frame, Sweat was active in the paint scoring with his back to the basket. The southpaw scores with a hook shot and can get the ball off the backboard for second chance points. He runs the floor hard and is a threat to catch alley-oops. When he clears rebounds, Jaylin can push the ball to start the fastbreak. In a win over Hart County, Sweat produced 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks.

2026 6-8 PF Banks Pourchier – North Oconee
The Loganville Christian transfer is a difference maker in the paint for the defending state champs. Banks is a bruiser down low. He bangs for position inside and can high-point rebounds before powering back up to finish with either hand. Pourchier does the dirty work, helping set the tone with his physicality. Banks will allow North Oconee to play inside-out this year which will create more open looks along the three-point line or if defenses decide not to collapse down, one-on-one coverage for Pourchier to work with his back to the basket. Banks tallied 13 points, 11 rebounds and 1 assist in a 59-51 loss to Kell. D-I programs will get involved soon.

Jay Walsh2026 6-4 W Jay Walsh – Marist
Jay Walsh was very impressive in my first viewing, piling in 23 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks in a 70-51 win over Butler. Jay’s scoring touch played at all three levels. The big guard was able to shoot over top of contests when getting to his spots. Walsh splashed five threes and moved well without the ball to score on a pair of cuts. When Jay attacked the hoop, he got nice elevation to finish at the rim.