2028 6-9 C Stevie Shields – Paideia
I expect Stevie Shields to become a popular name amongst college coaches over the next 12 months as his expedited growth continues. Standing a legit 6-foot-9, Shields is a high academic post player who has doubled his reps this summer splitting time between 16U and 17U with Sewer South. The sewer has helped toughen up Shields, his interior game becoming more consistent. Stevie has a lean frame but he is not void of muscle or physicality. He’s a steady post defender who alters shots and rips down rebounds in traffic, clearing space with his elbows. When he catches on the low block, he’s methodical and thoughtful when it comes to making moves with his back to the basket. While he can score on quick drop steps, he isn’t shy about backing down his man to set up baby hooks or turnaround jumpers. Shields’ jump shot is one of his major separators. He’s a legit stretch forward that shoots the three at a high rate. He has deep range, thriving as a pick-and-pop screener. With graduation hitting Paideia hard, Stevie should play a prominent role with the Pythons over his final two seasons. Schools of all levels will want to track his development and be prepared for when his stock soars.

2029 6-2 G TJ Pigott – Alexander
Part of a loaded 2029 class, TJ will fight for consistent minutes in the reloading Alexander backcourt. Pigott is lanky, packed with athleticism and energy. He’s a got upside as a perimeter defender, quick with his feet and active with his hands capable of deflecting passes and even blocking shots. TJ is a respectable outside shooter with three-point range and a slithery slasher who gets to his floater when he’s unable to finish with dunks. Pigott’s impact is felt on both sides of the floor. He’s a burgeoning two-way standout.

2029 6-0 PG Miles Thornton – Seckinger
Miles has traits of a true point guard. He’s really good off the dribble keeping his head up. He anticipates plays, skilled at passing his teammates open as he hits slips to the rim. Thornton is comfortable getting others involved, not pressing when it comes to finding his own shots. He has a mindset of making others around him better.

2028 5-10 G Javon Mike – Peach County
Coming off a season in which he averaged 9.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.8 steals, Javon has a slew of new faces to play with his junior season, potentially altering his role slightly. Mike is a bowling ball of a guard, a physically stout lefty who applies pressure with his toughness downhill. Javon plays through contact often times drawing fouls toward the rim. He shot 66-106 (62%) from the free throw line last season and 26% (26-100) from three. Mike provides value away from scoring with his knack for filling up the box score. He uses his strength to play make in traffic and when rebounding. Javon is a solid gamer who can plug multiple holes in the backcourt.

2027 6-0 G Tristan Warren – Warner Robins
Listed at 6-foot, Tristan feels a little bigger with his sturdy frame and tough game. Warren is smart enough to play 1-3. He’s gritty on defense, willing to step in to draw charges. He’s an effective rebounder from his guard position and brings some 3&D-like skills with how he can net corner threes. Warren fills the lanes in transition. His defense can spark his offense. When he attacks off the bounce, Tristan uses a slow euro step to let defenders fly by. I like Warren’s glue guy features.

2028 5-11 PG Kam Thomas – Perry
Slender at the point guard position, Kam is a wiry playmaker with infectious energy. Thomas influences games with his ball handling, decision making and pesky defense. While he can score in bunches when needed, Kam’s focus is primarily on protecting the ball and organizing the offense. His constant movement keeps him involved in countless amounts of plays. He’s got a bright future as a point producer both as a scorer and distributor.

2027 6-2 PG Luke Beaver – Horizon Christian
The GAPPS triple-double threat is comfortable playing at his own pace. Luke has nice size at the point guard position, equipped with a protective handle. When he’s creating his own offense, Beaver is sly with how he spins off defenders to set up finishes with either hand. Luke’s downhill approach can catch defenders out of position, setting up trips to the foul line. Beaver attacks from all levels, mixing in three-pointers and pull-ups. He sees the floor well when under pressure. Luke is continuing to improve at finishing at the rim against length and athleticism. The savvy guard is sneaky good, looking to build off a junior season in which he averaged 17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 7 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

2027 6-3 SG Will Bishop – Cartersville
Will is an attractive prospect for high academic schools and D-III programs alike. With a 4.0 GPA, Bishop checks multiple boxes with his grades, his size and his shooting touch. Will is a reliable floor spacer from beyond the arc. He’s at his best off the catch, but Bishop can also create off the dribble with a crossover to make plays a passer and an either-hand finisher. Will sits in stance on defense. His knowledge of how to get into the gaps helps limit straight-line drives. Thrust into a starring role his senior year, Will should have plenty of opportunities to raise his stock.

2028 6-6 F Kameron Wright – Locust Grove
With eight seniors graduating, there should be ample minutes available for Kam Wright to show what he can do. The long-armed forward has a good motor, especially in the key. Wright attacks rebounds. He doesn’t take transition layups for granted, sprinting the floor to score on putbacks incase his teammate misses. When he catches the ball on the block, Kameron is comfortable using his left hand to score with hook shots. Defensively, Wright is a shot-changing rim protector.

2027 6-2 G Daniel Collins – Whitewater
Daniel comes from a strong basketball background, his father Aki an assistant at Maryland and former Head of Recruiting and Retention for Overtime Elite. Collins seems primed for a strong senior season after averaging 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1 steal. Daniel has an athletic wiry frame that should be able to put on more weight at the next level. When he is at his best, Collins is loosening up the defense with his three-point shot, capable of going on scoring binges. While his jump shot may be his highest ceiling weapon, Collins is also effective at getting to the rim. He’s efficient in the open floor and utilizes a trustworthy floater to drop in buckets over shot blockers. Daniel can make a sneaky impact defensively as well with his timing and proactive rotations.

2027 5-11 G Mier Bell – Douglas County
Mier has bounced around schools but he is back at Douglas County after putting up 10.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game last season at Excel Christian. The lefty has a funky shot, twisting his body to get power to launch, but Bell is fairly accurate and connects with a quick release. He nailed 38 threes last season at a respectable 31%. The long ball accounts for much of Bell’s offensive output, over half of the shots he attempted last season. With that being said however, Mier is quick enough to slip by defenders toward the rim with fluid footwork to spin off defenders for layups. Bell is a solid addition to the Tiger backcourt.

2027 6-1 PG Jason Smith – North Cobb Christian
A safety on the football field, Jason brings his spatial awareness to the hardwood as he is quick to diagnosis plays before they happen. Smith enters his senior season after chipping in 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. What stands out to me is Smith’s pass-first playmaking instincts. He loves to draw the attention of the defense on drives before dropping off assists at the last second. He’s comfortable maneuvering in traffic, probing the defense with his head up. When he looks to score it is his explosive 4.69 speed which helps him turn corners to get to the rim. Defenders mustn’t overlook his shooting prowess however as he sank 28 threes at a 34% clip last year.