Hoya Hoopsgiving Top Performers
Analysis

Hoya Hoopsgiving Top Performers


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2025 6-3 W Ben Wilcox – Buford
It feels like a potential meteoric rise for Ben Wilcox his senior season. The role player stepped up in an incredible way with Buford missing football players to produce 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks in a wild 79-76 double overtime victory against Harrison. Wilcox was terrific, the hard-hat lunchpail guy doing whatever it took to win. Wilcox doesn’t immediately jump out at you. Yes, he has a strong frame and stands roughly 6-foot-3, but it is Ben’s game that stands out more than his measurables. Wilcox is capable of scoring inside and out. He utilized hook shots in the low post, floaters in traffic, got on the glass for putbacks and was able to make plays off the dribble as both a scorer and passer. Wilcox sank a pair of corner threes and shot 3-7 from the foul line. Ben doesn’t necessarily have one elite skill, but he’s smart and well-rounded across the board, understanding what plays need to be made. His effort and sneaky soft touch were imperative to Buford outlasting Harrison.

2026 5-10 G Dillon Nixon – Buford
When plays needed to be made late in the game, the ball was in Dillon Nixon’s hands. Down 58-49, Nixon scored seven points over the final 2:14 of regulation to force overtime at 58 apiece after draining back-to-back threes. In double overtime, Nixon stepped up defensively, drawing an offensive foul to foul out Brice Jackson at the 2:05 mark. Overall, Dillon piled in 24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. He buried three three-pointers and dropped in four floaters. Good things happened when the ball was in Nixon’s hands.

2027 6-1 G Carmelo Williams – Buford
Carmelo Williams has a chance to really make a name for himself starting this season. He’s a wiry guard with muscle and athleticism. He’s a solid shooter from the mid-range both off the catch and dribble. He scores well through contact, converting a pair of And-1s against Harrison. Williams is a springy leaper that rebounds well from his guard position. He was able to score on two putbacks. Adding range to his jump shot will help him reach his ceiling. I like Carmelo’s upside as a potential defensive stopper on the perimeter. Williams produced 21 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in the win before fouling out with 23.2 seconds left. Carmelo has the physical tools and the skill to blossom over his next three seasons.

2025 6-3 W William Smith – Harrison
Listed at 6-foot-3, William Smith feels bigger on the floor. He uses his wingspan to shoot gaps for steals and is a quality rebounder. Smith gets off the ground quick. He plays above the rim in transition and elevates to score through defenders’ chests. Will loves to take one rhythm dribble upon the catch before knocking down jumpers. He sank six mid-range shots against Buford getting good lift. Smith cashed in at the foul line, going 7-7 en route to finishing with 27 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. William looks like an effective two-way player at the next level, especially if he can grow his range into becoming a 3&D wing.

2025 6-1 SG Brice Jackson – Harrison
Brice Jackson has some intrigue. He’s a big burly guard packed with strength as he’s built like a linebacker. With his strong frame, Jackson isn’t just a physical bowling ball. He has some legit guard skills, a really good shooter that knocked down three threes including a clutch long ball with 16 seconds left to force double overtime. Jackson finished with 21 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals, fouling out at the 2:05 mark of double overtime. I like Brice’s game, not only for his perimeter scoring but his defense as well, able to body up on smaller guards and capable of helping defend bigger players on switches.

2025 6-0 SG Jacob Turner – Centennial
Jacob was a highlight machine in Centennial’s destruction of Denmark, 80-42. Turner, a chiseled multisport athlete that also excels in baseball, had bad intentions when he got a head of steam downhill. Jacob threw down three slams and caught an alley-oop for a lay-in part of his 23 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Turner hangs in the air on his shot attempts and is a tough-nosed slasher that powers through defenders. Jacob showcases some finesse with floaters and hit a three and a pull-up jumper against Denmark. Turner has next level athleticism. Continuing to grow as a ball handler and outside shooter will benefit him at the next level. He holds an offer from UMass Dartmouth.

2027 6-7 F CJ Jordan – Walton
It was a dominant performance for the skilled young big man, pouring in 20 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks in a 60-42 win against South Paulding. The Spartans had no answer inside for Jordan as he physically manhandled South Paulding with methodical punishing drives and backdowns. CJ was bruising in the paint on post ups or when he caught around the high post and drove to the hoop. He scored through contact and was patient when gathering himself for strong finishes. Jordan has good footwork and does a great job of ducking in for deep post seals on high-low entries. An underrated aspect of Jordan’s game is his passing. He drops off soft touch passes while utilizing bounce passes to lead his teammates. CJ is comfortable operating in the triangle from block to high post to block. Jordan has serious upside. I expect him to continue to trim up his frame over the course of his career and become one of the most skilled forwards in Georgia’s 2027 class.

Malachi Hogan2025 6-0 PG Malachi Hogan – South Paulding
Malachi was a bright spot, catching fire in the fourth quarter with four threes and 14 total points. Hogan finished with a game-high 21 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 2 steals. He sank three threes in succession to try and rally the Spartans. His pull-up jumper was on, hitting both from the mid-range and beyond the arc. Hogan was aggressive on offense, getting to the foul line to shoot 5-6.