With summer ball winding down, here’s an early preview of some of the top players in the GHSA’s newly formed Class 4A.

2027 6-2 PG AJ Williams – Harlem
Over the course of his career, D-I schools of all levels have offered and shown interest in Williams. AJ is an electric guard with physical size and the mental game to carry a team. Williams scores from all levels. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands with his deep three-point range, explosion to the rim and of course his court vision, a savvy distributor who gets others involved. Williams led Harlem to the state championship game, falling to rival Cross Creek where he poured in a game-high 28 points. During his junior season, AJ tallied 20.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game.

2027 6-2 G Ty Shine – Harlem
Shine went down with an injury early on in the Class 3A State Championship, hurting Harlem’s chances of upsetting Cross Creek. Shine was one of the top scorers in all of the CSRA last season, putting up 19.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals a night while draining 79 threes at a 37% rate. Tulane and Kennesaw State offered in 2025.

2027 6-8 PF Rowan Woodrich – Peach County
Last year’s Class 3A Most Improved Player brought his averages up from 4.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 1.7 blocks per game to 15.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 2.6 blocks. Rowan is starting to draw college attention with offers coming from JUCO programs and D-II schools such as Fort Valley State and Young Harris. Woodrich has the size, frame and most important: game. Rowan has advanced footwork on the block able to face up and attack, back down defenders or make quick moves with his back to the basket. Woodrich is mobile off the bounce and has touch that extends to the three-point line. Rowan’s polish is unmistakable for a big man, one of the most skilled posts in all of Georgia.

2027 6-3 G Keelan Day – Spalding
Class 3A’s Most Improved Team was Spalding, jumping from 9-16 to 22-7. Keelan Day was in the forefront averaging 15.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2 steals. At 6-foot-3, Keelan has the versatility to play all over the floor. His 1-3 skill helps create advantageous possessions along the perimeter. Day’s three-point shot is a weapon, shooting 58-155 (37%). Keelan’s smooth off the dribble getting into his shot. He has takeover ability with a lead dog mentality. Faulkner offered in July with more offers soon to come.

2027 6-7 F Jaydin Brown – McDonough
Jaydin has major momentum heading into his senior season now back at McDonough after transferring to Tri-Cities where he appeared in 17 games to average 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. The physical forward has notched offers from Andrew, Clayton State, Columbus State and Lurleen B Wallace over the offseason. The lefty gets deep position on post ups and when he doesn’t, he’s comfortable catching from 15-feet to attack off the dribble with a powerful spin move. An early candidate for Class 4A Most Improved Player, Brown should be a nightly double-double threat.

2027 6-0 G Braylon Robinson – Sandy Creek
An injury cut into Braylon’s season last year but now healthy, Robinson has been on a tear heading into Year 4. A well-rounded guard with physical strength and speed with the ball, Robinson is effective from all areas on the floor. He can play both on or off the ball, a good shooter off the catch from distance and a quick-footed downhill attacker off the dribble. Braylon provides two-way impact with how he is able to sit down and guard laterally. Much like many Sandy Creek guards before him, a big senior season is likely ahead which should draw plenty of next level opportunities.

2027 6-6 G Malachi Edgell – Douglass
D-I schools have been in contact with Edgell since last season. The long lefty can play 1-4. He’s a creative playmaker with a Swiss Army Knife skillset. Malachi averaged 14.2 points, 7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.9 steals while sinking 38 threes at a 30% clip as a junior. This June at GBCA Live he averaged 19 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4 assists. While his offensive game is robust, it’s his defense which gives him long-term promise. He’s quick enough to defend smaller guards on the perimeter, intimidating with his wingspan as he eliminates passing and driving lanes. His nose for the ball puts him in a position to make plays every possession on each end of the court.

2027 5-10 PG Armond Smith – Salem
Armond Smith is a name that is starting to percolate around the state and soon with college coaches as well. The point guard has terrific speed and a low center of gravity which allows him to turn corners on bigger defenders. Armond gets to his pull-up jumper in the mid-range but is also very crafty with his handle, able to slither through the teeth of the defense for tough layups. Smith’s playmaking skill impresses as well, a deft passer in traffic who can drop off to bigs or kick out to shooters for threes.