With summer ball winding down, here’s an early preview of some of the top players in the GHSA’s newly formed Class 4A-2A Private

2027 6-7 W AJ Williams – ELCA
The consensus No. 1 ranked junior in the nation who just classed up to 2027, AJ went on a scoring tear down the stretch as ELCA peaked late in the season. Williams poured in 31.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks per game as the state’s most unguardable player. Williams scores in all facets. He shot 50-152 (33%) from deep and shot a whopping 421 free throws, connecting at an 86% rate. Williams blends physical strength with a silky-smooth flow, effortlessly getting to his jumper which is at times automatic. With his size, AJ thrives at ducking in for post ups, whether catching with his back to the basket or sealing for over-the-top lob entries for easy dunks. Every blue-blood in the country has offered the star guard.

2028 6-9 F Baer Bailey – GAC
Baer holds multiple D-I offers. Standing around 6-foot-9, Bailey is a handful in the frontcourt. With his ball skills on the perimeter and overall athleticism, Baer is a mismatch. His three-point shooting range is becoming more of a weapon, netting 20 long-balls at a 28% rate. Baer’s activity in the paint is what stands out most. He’s an aggressive rebounder who finishes with slams. Bailey posted 16 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1.6 steals and 1.8 blocks per game as a sophomore.

2028 6-3 G Jaden McCullough – Pace Academy
Jaden left Holy Innocents’ for Pace Academy in the offseason, both programs that lost in their respective state championships. High Major programs such as Oregon, Virginia Tech and Cincinnati all offered over the summer. A Second Team All-State pick last season, McCullough cemented himself as one of the top 2028 guards in Georgia as he nearly doubled his output across the board in Year 2 posting 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 43% from deep.

2030 6-2 G Deuce Grayson – Holy Innocents’
Even though he hasn’t played an official varsity game yet, Deuce Grayson has already put the state on notice with his play this summer. Grayson, also a football standout, is a polished playmaker with size, athleticism and feel. The southpaw is a three-level scorer with a tight handle. Deuce freezes defenders in place with a shifty crossover. He’s explosive toward the rim and has a compact release on his jumper. Kennesaw State offered in June.

2027 6-0 PG DJ Hall – Darlington
DJ Hall powered Darlington to their first-ever state title with a historic performance, pouring in 30 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals in a 53-50 win over Holy Innocents’, almost accounting for all of the Tigers’ points. The savvy playmaker had just three turnovers while shooting 9-17 from the field including 5-8 from three and 7-9 from the foul line. Hall is typically a pass-first distributor but has blossomed into an efficient three-level scorer. DJ is an acrobatic finisher at the rim, powerfully agile as he attacks downhill. Hall has elite court vision, finding shooters on the perimeter, tossing up alley-oops and delivering pocket-pass dump-offs to bigs inside. Hall’s sharp handle and decision making keep his turnovers to a minimum. Middle Georgia State offered in July.

2028 6-10 C Peter Julius – Mt. Bethel
When healthy, Julius is one of the most dominant big men in Georgia. Peter is a double-double machine. At 6-foot-10 with lean wiry muscle, Julius is quick off the floor for rebounds, blocks and dunks. He’s a triple-double threat with his game-changing skill. Peter rim runs in transition for slams. When he catches the ball down low, he’s got a quick drop-step to spin off defenders. His offensive game is still growing, starting to show touch from 15-feet. The four-star center has picked up offers from Baylor and Alabama among others.

2027 6-7 F Noah Brady – Mt. Vernon
North Florida and West Georgia offered Noah in June, helping solidify him as a D-I prospect. Brady is a versatile forward capable of banging inside for baskets or showing his finesse on the perimeter with his ball skills and shooting touch. Noah exploits mismatches. He’s quick off the dribble for his size, good at backing his man down and spinning to the rim. He catches and finishes out of ball screens but can also short roll and serve as a playmaker with his passing. With his length, Brady is an impactful defender capable of guarding outside and inside as a shot blocker.

2028 6-6 F Landon Evans – St. Francis
Landon has begun to elevate his game to another level. An explosive athlete with physical strength and quick bounce, Evans can be a bull in a China shop with how hard he plays. Evans shoots into passing lanes for breakaway slams. In the half court, Landon attacks the glass hard for putbacks and is a powerful driver with the intent of tearing down the rim. His toughness is exemplified through his effectiveness scoring through contact. While athleticism and motor play huge roles in Landon’s game, he’s also a burgeoning shooter who can stretch the floor to consistently hit threes. Evans’ stock rising summer has tabbed him as a four-star prospect.

2027 6-6 W Jaylen Samuel – St. Francis
The 6-foot-6 swingman shoots the ball exceptionally well. He’s tough off the bounce getting to his jumper. Samuel is lethal as a catch-and-shoot three-point sniper. Where Jaylen sticks out is his multifaceted game, willing to attack downhill and get on the glass for putbacks. He had a strong junior season filling up the box score not only on offense, but with his activity on defense as well, deflecting passes and altering shots.

2028 6-0 PG KD Hernandez – Walker
Since freshman year, Power 4 schools have been in touch with Hernandez. The steady high-IQ playmaker averaged 17.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.4 steals helping Walker to the Final Four as a sophomore. KD plays with balance and controlled pace, able to change speeds when needed. Hernandez has experience running a team and executing, part of a set-heavy Walker offense which flourishes at creating open three-point looks. Hernandez is a versatile offensive threat. He’s got impressive physical body control when attacking the hoop to score through contact. Hernandez is well-balanced. He shot 40% from three and 76% from the foul line. KD is trustworthy to make the right reads when the ball is in his hands.