With summer ball winding down, here’s an early preview of some of the top players in the GHSA’s newly formed Class 1A.

2028 6-3 G Zayland Allen – Bowdon
Even more will be placed onto Zayland’s shoulders his junior season after a breakout campaign saw him lead the classification in scoring, earning Best Scorer and Best Shooter honors, the First Team All-State selection averaging 22.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals while nailing 73 threes (33%). With 6-foot-10 center Tim Johnson transferring out of state, the smooth operating Allen will have even more attention focused on slowing him down. Zayland’s three-level scoring prowess makes him a legitimate college prospect.

 2028 5-11 PG A’Nyzhon Purnell – Chattahoochee County
With teammate Champ Simpson now graduated, the reigning Class A D-II Player of the Year, expect A’Nyzhon Purnell to become even more of a focal point of the offense. Bam took a major step forward in Year 2, upping his freshman output of 8.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.7 steals to 15.5 points, 3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 4.4 steals as a sophomore. Purnell plays with a great motor. He’s fearless in the backcourt, a sharp penetrator capable of slicing all the way to the rim with the threat of whipping out assists. His nose for the ball defensively helps him spark his offense buy creating live-ball turnovers. Bam has another All-State season on the way after earning Second Team honors.

2028 6-1 G Traviian Miller – Clinch County
The star quarterback showed he was pretty good at basketball last season, leading Clinch County to state title as he dominated Portal with 25 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks in the 63-43 rout, the Panthers’ first title since 1989. Chunk is a big guard with explosive athleticism. He gets downhill through contact and can play volleyball on the backboard when it comes to scoring on second and third chances. Miller’s outside shot is good enough to warrant cautious closeouts. Traviian’s future is likely in football, but he’s got great physical tools and improving polish that would also make him an enviable target for college basketball coaches.

2027 6-3 G Antwan Edmonds – Mitchell County
Edmonds was Region 1 Co-Offensive Player of the Year last season, earning him a spot as All-State Honorable Mention. Antwan is a high-octane perimeter scorer. He’s creative in one-on-one settings, comfortable breaking down his man to get to his mid-range pull-up. Edmonds has an easy flow getting into his three-point shot. When he attacks the rim, Antwan does well to shield the ball from shot blockers, kissing layups off the glass from difficult angles. South Florida Bible College offered this summer.

2027 6-4 W Michael Wright Jr. – Wheeler County
A do-everything swingman, Michael Wright is a sleeper worth checking out. He got great reps over the offseason with Gold Elite and has major momentum heading into his senior season after tallying 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.1 block per game, leading the Bulldogs to the Elite Eight. With his size, Michael is athletic and active. He plays above the rim, catching alley-oops and swatting away shots. He’s a solid shot maker on the perimeter, able to create space off the dribble to shoot threes.

2028 6-6 F Aaydan Wayman – Washington-Wilkes
Wayman is a live body forward starting to come into his own. He’s an active presence in the paint that alters countless shots. Standing around 6-foot-6, Aaydan is mobile. He runs the floor for easy hoops and can finish with slams. Wayman can hit the occasional jumper and is starting to see his offensive game blossom. He’s a handful on the offensive glass. The shot blocking post put up 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game in a stock rising sophomore season.

2027 6-1 G Josiah Ingram – Hancock Central
Josiah is among the top active scorers in Georgia for Class 1A with well over 1,000 points scored in his career. Ingram put up 18.3 points per game last year as a wired-to-score attacker. Ingram is a steady perimeter shooter but his gift is getting to the rim where he shows poise in traffic and the body control to finish while getting bumped. Josiah capitalizes when put on the foul line, shooting 116-155 last season for a strong 75%. The multi-time All-State guard is at the top of scouting reports when it comes to playing Hancock Central.

2027 6-3 G David Thomas – Portal
David led Portal to a state title game appearance, averaging 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals. A solid shooter with size, Thomas buried 45 threes at a 31% rate. The shot-maker uses his jumper as his primary weapon. He’s got a nifty handle to create space. Thomas is adept at getting to the basket with floaters.

2027 6-3 G Xion Evans – BEST Academy
Arguably the best scorer in the classification and one of the most consistent in the entire state, Xion has momentum after a strong travel season and an All-State campaign which saw him pour in 22 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a junior. Evans gets buckets from all levels. He hit 54 threes at a 38% rate and made 80% of his 122 free throw attempts. As good as Xion is at scoring, he’s also a skillful creator downhill capable of getting his teammates easy hoops. Evans is starting to pop up on recruiting boards.