With summer ball winding down, here’s an early preview of some of the top players in the GHSA’s newly formed Class 2A.

2027 6-1 G Essien Lockleer – Commerce
One of the more underrated players in the state, Essien is a habitual stat sheet stuffer from the guard position. Listed at 6-foot-1, the football standout is a dynamic playmaker who affects games consistently. Lockleer posted 14.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.1 steals as a junior to land him Second Team All-State. Essien shoots the three (36%), gets to the rim and facilitates extremely well, all while being a dogged defender. His feel for the game along with his motor makes him the catalyst for a Commerce team who should vie for a state title.

2029 6-4 SG Trace Adcock – Rabun County
Trace likely won’t get as many easy looks as he did his freshman year playing alongside Huey Blalock, but the state champ will have a plethora of shots coming his way after winning Class A D-I Freshman of the Year and Best Shooter, sinking 127 threes at a 50% rate en route to 15.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. The gangly sharpshooter is an elite floor spacer. Adcock’s got a sneaky good handle which he will likely be able to show off more often as he looks to free himself off the dribble for pull-ups and drives. Trace’s length makes him a valuable defender as well, able to get into passing lanes and alter shots.

2029 6-2 G Darryon Devine – Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald improved from 19-7 to 25-5, falling in the Final Four. Darryon Devine proved to be electric his freshman season earning All-State Honorable Mention as he put up 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Devine is an athletic slasher who thrives at getting to his left hand. His activity in the press can lead to easy transition hoops. A burgeoning Power 4 recruit in football, if Devine can expand his shooting range he very well could start drawing serious interest on the hardwood as well.

2027 6-4 SG Jeremy Banks – Putnam County
The southpaw has flashed his ceiling throughout his career but has been behind a handful of equally as skilled scorers. Coming off a season in which he averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals, Banks will now play a feature role in the backcourt alongside Jaylen Nelson. Banks has the size, athleticism and shooting touch to have a breakout All-State campaign. A career 33% three-point shooter, Jeremy has been consistent as a varsity contributor hitting 58 threes as a sophomore and 56 as a junior. He has upside to grow as a downhill attacker. In Putnam County’s high-pace system, Banks could post robust numbers his senior season and in turn draw the attention of many college coaches.

2027 6-1 G Bryson Denson – Model
Bryson Denson captured Region 6 Player of the Year honors last season. A physically strong guard capable of playing the one and the two, Denson is a steady contributor on both sides of the ball. He’s tough toward the rim on offense, able to power through the heart of the defense. Bryson uses his body well when shielding the ball from pesky defenders as he gets to his spots. While he is a reliable scorer, Denson is also a quality playmaker and a stout defender. His rebounding ability from the guard position leads to busy box scores nightly.

2027 6-7 W Kolton Kaylor – Fannin County
Multiple D-I schools have offered Kolton Kaylor, the once hidden gem now a household name. The skilled lefty can do a little bit of everything. When healthy, Kaylor is a double-double machine with his inside-out versatility. He’s smooth attacking off the dribble, setting up pull-up jumpers and downhill dunks. Kaylor can go into the post to create mismatches, a threat to score with his back to the basket or out of face-ups. His court vision and sharp passing is impressive. The bouncy playmaker is the frontrunner for Player of the Year if he can lead Fannin County on a deep run.