Best of the South
Analysis

Best of the South: Day 3 Standouts

Gabe Keene2022 6-7 F Gabe Keene – Atlanta Timberwolves Green – Tallulah Falls
Up in the beautiful North Georgia mountains, gemstone mining is a tradition. If you head up to Tallulah Falls and pan for gold, you might just discover Gabe Keene, a diamond in the rough. Keene is an interesting prospect for non-D-I’s. At 6-foot-7, Gabe is a bouncy forward that can play above the rim and impact the game in different ways. He moves well without the ball and can cut into open spaces for easy hoops. Keene is aggressive on offense with the ball in his hands. He can play on the perimeter or in the post. Gabe likes to drive the ball inside and elevate for finishes, often drawing fouls in the process. Keene is a streaky three-point shooter that can catch fire after seeing a few drop. He’s a very active rebounder, using his length and springs to get to caroms first. On defense, he has the footspeed to help guard on the perimeter but is most effective around the basket as a rim protector. Keene finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 4 blocks in a 74-66 win over Michigan Basketball Academy.

Ethan Underwood2022 6-0 PG Ethan Underwood – Atlanta Timberwolves Green – South Forsyth
Ethan Underwood is good. He collected 21 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in a win over MBA. He is  steady with the ball as he takes his time probing the defense. He scores in multiple ways with a very good jump shot and some shiftiness to the hoop. When the game is on the lane, Underwood often rises to the occasion. He’s an extension of the coach and can be trusted in big spots.

Sebastian Tidor2022 6-5 W Sebastian Tidor – GA Stunners – East Paulding
With 26 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals, Sebastian Tidor led the GA Stunners to a 65-62 win in overtime.  Sebastian took over in the second half, sparking himself with a pair of putbacks before getting in transition and finding an overall groove. His length, athleticism and energy always put him in a place to succeed. He can still be a streaky three-point shooter, but he knocked down three in the win. Tidor is a valuable under the radar prospect with solid upside on both ends of the floor.

Brandon Rechsteiner2023 6-1 PG Brandon Rechsteiner – Atlanta All-Stars 2023 – Etowah
The smooth play and subtle swagger of Brandon Rechsteiner is fun to watch. He continues to get better. Rechsteiner had complete control of the game in the All-Stars’ 62-42 win over MEBO. He finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals. Rechsteiner hit threes off the dribble, scored from the mid-range and turned turnovers into transition layups. What impressed me most though was his passing. With a quick flick of the wrist, he could laser in assists surveying the floor and getting teammates easy hoops. Rechsteiner’s all-around game and overall confidence should land him more offers after getting his first from Kennesaw State.

Brigham Rogers2023 6-8 F Brigham Rogers – Atlanta All-Stars 2023 – Blessed Trinity
A big breakout season is coming for Brigham Rogers. He’s been impressive this summer and on Saturday I got to see his complete tool set. Rogers is strong top to bottom and has great feet. His quickness is up there with some of the best forwards in the state. He likes to attack off the dribble and spin off his man to get to the rim. Rogers is tough on the boards, using his physicality to clear rebounds. He finishes through contact inside and can stretch the floor as a three-point shooter. Rogers tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. With his rate of development, I think Rogers will be a lock as D-I prospect. Schools will want to have him on their radar and reach out before his recruitment takes off.

2022 6-4 G Grant Portera – Atlanta Wolfpack – River Ridge
I think Grant Portera has really found his niche at point guard. He’s floated around the perimeter during the course of his career but focusing in on lead guard duties could be where his future takes him. I loved what he brought to the table in a 56-53 loss to C2K Lima. Portera finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. As a big athletic guard with a great motor, Portera was able to play his trademark downhill game. But what really stood out was his understanding of kicking out to shooters. Portera can get two feet in the paint consistently. When he does, the defense collapses and he is able to dish out to the perimeter. The slasher’s drive and kick game can cause a lot of issues as he’s still a major threat to get all the way to the hoop, but if he has shooters around him like he does with the Wolfpack, he’s the perfect fit to create havoc with drives.

Peyton Law2022 6-6 W Peyton Law – Atlanta Wolfpack – Calhoun
Peyton Law needs to be on every D-II’s wish list. He could even catch the eye of certain D-I schools if the right fit presents itself; Law is that good. He’s been criminally under covered this offseason and is a potential steal at the next level. All spring and summer, every time you check the box score Law is putting up 20+ points and 10+ rebounds. The numbers are terrific, but it’s how he gets them. Peyton is a matchup nightmare. He can dominate games on the low block or on the perimeter. He’s a very good athlete that truly scores at all three levels. He’s a knockdown three-point shooter that can take his man off the dribble when ran off the line and finish with authority at the rim. On the low block, he has very good footwork and can score in a variety of ways. Defensively, Law can guard almost any position. He has length and strength, able to body up inside and move his feet outside when stuck on guards. Law posted 24 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals vs. C2K Lima. There’s honestly not a lot that Law doesn’t bring to the table. He really is one of the best most versatile wings in the state that can play all over the floor. LaGrange College offered back in February. If colleges do their due diligence and watch Law consistently, he should be swimming in offers by the end of his career.

Cayden Charles2022 6-3 SG Cayden Charles – SEBA FCI Warriors – Allatoona
Cayden Charles has enjoyed a coming out party this offseason, a true meteoric rise. After averaging 9.2 points per game as a junior and serving more so as a defensive stopper, Charles has blossomed into a high-level scorer that gets his points every single game. Charles has grown from primarily a slasher to a well-rounded threat, capable of pouring in threes in bunches. Cayden’s length and activity are key attributes. He can crash the glass for putbacks and can be a major disruptor when defending on the perimeter. Cayden put up 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks in a 71-63 win over the Upward Stars. His ability to squeeze through the defense and convert off-balance shots was impressive. If Charles can somehow carry over the type of production he’s brought to the table all summer for SEBA, Cayden could have one of the best seasons in Allatoona history and climb up the annals as one of the best Buccaneers in history. Easier said than done, but Charles has been on an absolute tear this summer.