15U
TSF Mack (Champions)
2022 6-2 PG Bruce Thornton Jr. (Milton): Bruce Thornton Jr. made his case for No. 1 point guard in the 2022 class in a big way. With the stage set to battle the likes of Scooter Henderson and USA Basketball’s Dillon Hunter, it was Thornton who reigned supreme and seized the moment. The powerful point led TSF to an 85-71 championship win over Game Elite Big 5, pouring in 25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals against Henderson, highlighted by three straight threes in the second half to blow the game open after going for 21 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists in a 64-55 semifinal victory against Hunter’s Georgia Stars. What separates Thornton from other guards in the state is his constant influence on the game. He has a true stranglehold on the game from the moment he steps on the floor. You always know Thornton is on the court with how he controls the flow and doesn’t waste any possessions. While his star-studded opposition had strong moments sprinkled throughout their matchups, they never could impose their will like Thornton was able to. The future All-State guard never forces the issue and is always looking to set up his teammates. His physical strength allows him to rebound at a high level and his lateral quickness helps him stay in front of speedy guards that like to get downhill. The Class 7A Freshman of the Year is ready to take off.
2022 6-8 F Chauncey Wiggins (Eastside): Going up against already established star Joyful Hawkins in the 15U championship, Chauncey Wiggins set the tone early in the first half to help TSF take a double-digit lead into halftime. Wiggins turned heads with his soft stroke from the outside. At 6-foot-8, the lanky stretch forward buried jumper after jumper to loosen the defense. He hit two threes en route to 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. Wiggins’ favorite move was a fadeaway jumper out of the post, an unblockable shot. He loved taking Dirk Nowitzki-esque one-footed turn-around’s from the mid-range. Wiggins’ ceiling is among the highest in the 2022 class. Adding more weight on his frame will help him become a better rebounder. Wiggins projects to be a High Major recruit.
2022 6-1 PG Kobe Davis (Langston Hughes): In the two games I saw, Kobe Davis played the best I’ve ever seen him play, averaging 12 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2 assists. Davis was more aggressive finding his shot than he usually is with Langston Hughes and had his outside shot locked in, hitting two threes apiece in each of his games. Davis benefited from playing off the ball with Bruce Thornton and Devin Farrell, two other guards that do a great job of swinging the ball around until an open shot is found. Davis excelled with his willingness to rebound and helped start fastbreaks.
2022 6-0 PG Devin Farrell (Milton): Sometimes an unsung hero due to his willingness to share the ball, Devin Farrell is quickly emerging as one of my favorite guards in the 2022 class. A well-built football player, Farrell is a quarterback on the court with his vision. He averaged 5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists and showed the ability to knock down the open three. Farrell won’t put up the offensive numbers that some of his teammates will, but he’s a reliable pass-first guard that will only improve as he gets older.
Game Elite Big 5 (Runner-Up)
2022 6-2 PG Scooter Henderson (Kell): Scooter Henderson blew up over the NCAA Live Period and continued his strong play at Battle For Georgia. He went toe-to-toe with Bruce Thornton and had 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Henderson is aggressive getting to the rim. In his matchup against Thornton, he looked more explosive and bouncier than Thornton whereas Thornton seemed stronger. Either way, both guards were effective in their own styles of play. Henderson has a toughness about his game and competes on both ends.
2022 6-8 F Joyful Hawkins (Brunswick): Put in pick-and-roll situations, Joyful Hawkins is one of Georgia’s elite when it comes to diving to the basket, catching and finishing. He carried the Big 5 with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks in the championship game. The majority of his points came at the rim but Hawkins is a capable mid-range shooter as well. His length and strength and ability to finish with authority makes him a tough matchup at the 15U level.
2022 6-2 SG Cameron Johnson (Harrison): Gifted with a physical frame, the bowling ball off-guard showed his scoring touch as the third option for the Big 5. He had 15 points and made three threes in the process. Johnson got into the lane and hit some tough shots in traffic as well.
Georgia Stars
2022 6-6 W TJ Grant (Veterans): I liked what I saw out of TJ Grant in his first impression as he collected 18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in a loss to TSF. Grant is a big wing that is shifty when getting to the basket using euro-steps. He can pluck rebounds and start his own fastbreak with his ball handling. Overall, I liked his aggressiveness and effort. I’d like to see more of him.
2022 6-4 W Robert Cowherd (Denmark): The thing that stood out to me most about Robert Cowherd was his motor and constant effort, even when the Stars weren’t going to complete a comeback. Cowherd played hard and his stat line reflected it, posting 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. He hit two threes to balance his offensive attack.
2022 6-5 PG Dillon Hunter (Westlake): Dillon Hunter was on double duty, splitting time with the 16U and 15U Georgia Stars. Against Bruce Thornton and TSF, Hunter had 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 1 block. Hunter has a good future ahead of him and the natural tools to become a star, but he isn’t quite as polished as Thornton and faded in and out of the game at times. Hunter’s first instinct is to get to the lane where he had some success in traffic. As he develops a three-point shot, he will become even better. He could become a defensive standout with his length in due time.
Team YRN
2023 6-2 CG David Thomas (Eagle’s Landing): David Thomas has long been a burgeoning star just waiting to get to the high school ranks and the GHSA. As an eight grader, he led New Creation Christian Academy in scoring and now shifts over to Eagle’s Landing to embark on his GHSA career. Thomas is a strong and smooth guard that knows how to score. He had 9 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in a 70-47 blowout of Atlanta Xpress. Thomas has a high release point on his jumper and gets his shots off in a variety of ways. He will be an impactful piece at Eagle’s Landing.
2022 6-3 G Jermarhi Hill (Berkmar): A wiry guard that transferred in from Alabama, Jermarhi Hill was instant offense off the bench for YRN. He had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. He brought energy on both sides of the ball. Hill is good at snaking into the paint and has good vision when dumping off to open teammates. His feel for the game looked advanced.
ATL Xpress
2022 6-0 CG Kami Young (North Cobb Christian): A compact strong combo guard, Kami Young is a strong shooter that can open the floor. He came out hot with eight of his 13 points coming in the first few minutes of the first half. He tacked on 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals in an ugly loss to Team YRN. Young is a good scorer but he had opportunities to showcase his calmness as a ballhandler against a relentless YRN press that turned the Xpress over countless times. Next time against a team like that, I’d like to see him help stabilize the offense with the ball in his hands.
16U
Game Elite (Champions)
2021 6-7 PF Ja’Heim Hudson (South Gwinnett): Every time I watch Ja’Heim Hudson play, I fall more and more in love with his game. Hudson was outstanding in Game Elite’s comeback win over the Georgia Stars for the 16U Championship. Game Elite trailed 33-22 at the half before Hudson took over down the stretch and helped propel them to a 72-64 win. The big fella scored 13 of his team-high 19 points in the second half to pair with his 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks. Hudson is ambidextrous on the low block, able to score with both hands. He is a savvy passer out of the post and a stronger rebounder. He plays above the rim with his finishes and defensively, is a strong rim protector. Hudson even went 3-for-3 from the foul line. The great thing about Hudson is that he knows what he’s good at and sticks to it. He doesn’t stray away from his strengths and provides production night in and night out. Mid-Major schools should start the recruitment process.
2021 6-5 PF Robbie Armbrester (Therrell): After somewhat of a slow start, Robbie Armbrester got back to playing bully ball and helped ignite the comeback. Armbrester feeds off of intensity and emotion and once he got the juices flowing, there was no taming him. He pounded away for 12 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block. By now you should know what to expect with Armbrester. All effort, all energy, all in the paint.
Georgia Stars (Runner-Up)
2021 5-10 PG AJ White (Chattahoochee): The undersized scoring dynamo averaged 11 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in his two final games of the day. In the semifinals, he caught fire with three straight threes to spark a 17-0 run which erased an 11-point halftime deficit against the Atlanta Celtics and pushed them to a 70-68 victory. White is an elite shooter with microwave tendencies. Continuing to improve his point guard skills and his ability to get in the lane and finish through contact will help round out his game. Defensively he provides some scrappiness and fights over screens well.
2020 6-6 W Quincy Ademokoya (Dacula): Playing down a grade and with rumors swirling that he will be transferring across Gwinnett County and eventually reclassifiying, Quincy Ademokoya looked much more decisive and crisper with the Georgia Stars. He had 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks in the championship game and knocked down two threes.
Atlanta Celtics
2021 6-2 G Myles Rice (Eastside): Myles Rice put together a strong game against the Georgia Stars with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Rice has good size and can play either guard position. He has a scorer’s mentality and can get points at all three levels. He knocked down two threes and scored off the dribble.
2021 6-1 PG Danny Stubbs (Pebblebrook): Danny Stubbs has a mature feel to his game as a lead guard that scores when needed but excels at getting his teammates easy buckets. He had 9 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal vs. the Georgia Stars. Stubbs is good at probing the defense and knowing when to pull back for a jumper.
HYPE Hawks
2021 6-6 W Matt Cleveland (Pace Academy): Fresh off an invite to the USA Basketball Minicamp later this month, Matt Cleveland was masterful in an 85-41 destruction of Team EAT. Cleveland scored 24 of his game-high 29 points in the first half and added 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals to boot. Cleveland was electric in transition, living above the rim and throwing down a handful of poster dunks throughout the day. He covers so much ground when attacking the basket in such a short amount of time, defenders aren’t able to wall up and cut him off. Cleveland looks ready to assert himself for a full 32 minutes for a full season at his new home at Pace Academy. Cleveland should have the Knights as a favorite to win the Class 3A state championship with his silky-smooth play.
2021 6-7 PF Devin McGlockton (South Forsyth): The more I see Devin McGlockton play, the more I see a future D-I player. McGlockton has made the most out of his opportunities with the HYPE Hawks, especially when Cole Middleton went down with another injury. Now that Middleton is back, McGlockton still looks like a blossoming big in the 2021 class. He reminds me a of current Mercer freshman James Glisson – a strong bodied forward that can score in the paint, rebound, alter shots and step outside to the three-point line. McGlockton might not be as good on the perimeter as Glisson was, but the other traits are starting to shine through. He had 12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block against Team EAT. Low Majors and strong D-II programs should keep an eye on him.
Team EAT
2021 6-4 F Christian Sadler (Druid Hills): Christian Sadler played bigger than his size and provided a toughness and mean streak for Team EAT. Sadler had 4 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 7 blocks in his lone game. Sadler has long arms and good defensive timing.
17U
Georgia Knights (Champions)
2020 6-4 SG Chris Youngblood (East Coweta): Just when you think you’ve said everything that’s been needed to say about Chris Youngblood, you find yourself scrambling for more words to describe just how good he is and how meteoric his rise has been. The 17U MVP was the best player in the gym the entire event. Youngblood was unstoppable, averaging 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals over his three-game stretch, hitting 6 threes and going 9-of-15 from the line. The Kennesaw State-commit has firmly asserted himself as one of Georgia’s elite scorers and possibly its best shooting guard. His mixture of physicality and finesse makes him the complete package. Against nationally ranked blue-chip prospects of the Atlanta Celtics, Youngblood had 32 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in the 17U Championship as the Knights held on 80-79 after Youngblood fouled out with 48.1 seconds left. Out of his 32 points, 30 came via inside the arc. Youngblood was locked in all day with pull-ups from the mid-range, strong finishes in the paint and from the three-point line. Youngblood is a program changing player at Kennesaw State, a school which may mirror East Coweta. Youngblood didn’t step into a perfect situation in Sharpsburg but has seen his win totals increase from 5 before he was a freshman to 14 to 13 to last season’s 24-win campaign. Youngblood could provide a similar impact at Kennesaw State and cultivate a winning culture.
2020 6-4 G Kirshon Thrash (Eagle’s Landing): As good as Chris Youngblood was, Kirshon Thrash was equally impressive and rose his stock through the roof, solidifying him as a future D-I player in my eyes. I’ve been intrigued with Thrash for a while now but that intrigue has grown into love for what he is as a player. Thrash is a grown man at guard or whatever position you’d like to classify him as. He is truly positionless; he is a producer. Thrash is the state’s best rebounding guard bar none and is probably in the discussion for best rebounder regardless of position. Thrash can play every position at the high school level. In the championship against the Atlanta Celtics, he spent time at point guard on offense while defending 6-foot-9 Mississippi State-commit Bayron Matos on the low block and holding him to 2 points and 1 rebound. Thrash is the ultimate stat sheet stuffer and jack-of-all-trades. Thrash kicked off the event by bullying Team Georgia Magic for 24 points, 18 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. In a blowout of Team Forrest he had a modest 3 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists, but ramped it back up in the title game, going for 13 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Thrash uses his body so well in every facet of the game whether it be angling for rebounds, defending the post or using his shoulders to drive by defenders. Thrash is a bulldog on the offensive glass, recording a countless amount of put-backs. On offense, Thrash is a capable three-point shooter but prefers the mid-range and in. He hit some tough pull ups off the dribble throughout the day. Thrash will be a super glue guy at the next level. He can affect games without pouring in points. Presbyterian was the first to offer the bowling ball guard. I think it would behoove more Low Majors to start evaluating Thrash ASAP.
Atlanta Celtics (Runner-Up)
2020 6-5 W Toneari Lane (Grayson): Steady as a rock. That is what you get out of Toneari Lane. While Deivon Smith and Dwon Odom might garner more of the headlines and be the highlight stars of the team, Lane is the hard-hat lunch pail guy that goes to work every day. Lane had 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block in the championship. Lane is an efficient three-point shooter, hitting two in the title game. He has a nice jump shot but still the toughness to get a bucket when he puts his head down. Lane’s best moment for me however was when he consoled a teammate after a crucial mistake down the stretch. Instead of yelling at him like another player did, Lane calmly patted him on the chest to let him know that he was ok. Small little moments of maturity and leadership like that are part of what makes Lane such a strong player and person.
Team Forrest
2020 6-6 W Melvin Edwards (Carrollton): When no one else could buy a basket in a 76-52 loss to the Georgia Knights, Melvin Edwards was the lone player that showed up in the semifinals. The big wing had 15 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Edwards has evolved into a reliably productive commodity. Great target for Low to Mid Majors.
Team Georgia Magic
2021 6-7 PF Quay Primas (Central-Macon): Anchoring a young group playing up, Quay Primas was great in the second half but couldn’t dig the Magic out of a 41-17 halftime hole, eventually losing 71-53 to the Georgia Knights. Primas scores in a variety of ways. He knocks down baseline jumpers, attacks from the high post and of course scores with his back to the basket. The big lefty has range out to the three-point line as well. He posted 18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in his second Battle For Georgia.
2021 6-5 W Kowacie Reeves Jr. (Westside-Macon): All arms and legs, the spindly wing has blown up over a year’s time with a handful of Power 5 offers. He had 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals and 1 block against the grown man backcourt of the Georgia Knights – a tough assignment. Reeves didn’t hit any trademark threes, but that’s a good thing for his development. Formerly just a three-point specialist, Reeves has begun rounding into a more versatile scorer. He had a beautifully smooth reverse layup – maybe the prettiest finish of the event – and showed more than just finesse when he threw down a wicked And-1 dunk. His activity on defense was a positive sign as well. Putting more of an effort into rebounding the ball will help provide value in the future.
2022 6-6 W Jaylon Taylor: The young long-armed wing made a good first impression in a win over St. Pius X, putting up 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. Taylor showed range on him jump shot, hitting two threes while defensively, he guarded multiple positions. With plenty of opportunities now up for the taking at Buford, Taylor is on the right track.
2021 6-5 CG Taihland Owens: Cherokee County’s next big thing is starting to round into form. After piling in the points as a sophomore, its now time for the wins to follow. Up against Caleb Byrd of Rome, Owens posted 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in a 54-42 win in convincing fashion. Owens is a talented scorer that gets his points from all three levels. As he continues to grow his point guard skills and stays locked in on defense, more offers will pour in. Owens is a High Major player and one 
2021 6-7 F Elijah Tucker: I will admit that Elijah Tucker did not make a great first impression last season in the only game I watched him: 4 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in a loss to Drew Charter, but the emerging combo forward has been making strides with his game ever since. Instead of floating away to the perimeter like he did in my first evaluation, Tucker was active and got his work done around the basket on Sunday. He had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist, never relenting on the glass and forcing defenders to hack away at him. He went 12-of-15 from the foul line. Tucker is still just scratching the surface of what he can become but with great blood lines (son of former Tennessee post player LaShonda Stephens Tucker), colleges have taken notice of his upside. St. Johns, Iowa, Northwestern and Middle Tennessee State all offered after camp.
2020 6-6 F Spencer McDonald: Watching Spencer McDonald for the first time in years left me extremely impressed. Possessing a strong rugged frame, McDonald assaulted Lithia Springs’ frontline with 18 points and 6 rebounds. McDonald was aggressive, scoring with his back to the basket and when facing up from 15-feet out. He had nice footwork out of both areas and finished above the rim a handful of times. If McDonald can consistently play like he did on Sunday, he should be a late blooming option for small colleges.
2020 6-6 PF Adonnis Tolbert: Coaches were buzzing about Tolbert’s performance against Hart County. A standout football player as well, the chiseled 205-pound wide receiver played above the rim like he does every game. Tolbert is one of Georgia’s most explosively powerful players, a true rim-rocker that rattles the backboard. He posterized one defender with a breathtaking jam. Tolbert is more than just an athlete however. He’s got a nice jumper out to 15-feet and elevates over defenders inside for turnaround jumpers and hooks in the lane. He had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks.
2020 6-2 G Christian Chambers: Out of the Augusta area, Christian Chambers is one of the better guards in the state of Georgia that doesn’t get as much attention statewide as he probably deserves. The southpaw can score the ball at all three levels and has nice length on the perimeter. He had 18 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal in a 45-43 win over Cherokee Bluff. Chambers loves getting to his left hand but needs to get a little more confidence in his right to fully round out his offensive attack. Chambers at the very least should be on D-II radars and with a strong senior season could see some Low Major D-I schools offer.
2020 6-7 F Perry Robinson: Schools looking for a bit of a sleeper with high upside should look no further than Perry Robinson. Robinson is a tweener combo-forward that can provide quality minutes at the wing but also thrive as a stretch-four. Robinson has some fast-twitch fibers that makes him quick and shifty with the ball when getting downhill. He likes to attack the basket but has a quality jump shot as well. He nailed two threes vs. Woodstock in an effort of 17 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal. I’d like to see more of Robinson. He looks like one of the better forwards in the state of Georgia. Strong D-II programs and Low Majors should put Robinson on their watch list.
2020 6-8 C Zyon Gaddis: A big space-eater, Gaddis showed a nice touch at camp and a hunger for rebounding the ball. He had 14 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks against Woodstock. Not much of an above the rim player, Gaddis used his strong frame to position himself for caroms. He had soft hands around the rim scoring the ball with baby hooks. He can stand to trim up his body some more which will help his athleticism, but Gaddis looks like a useful piece at the collegiate level.
2022 6-0 PG MJ Matthews: Flying under the radar in the 2022 class is MJ Matthews. The tough point guard has a mature feel to his game. He gets two feet in the paint and either finishes strong at the rim or kicks out to open shooters. I liked his court vision and his overall competitiveness. He had 9 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block. He is willing to mix it up on both ends of the floor. Developing a jump shot will be key over the next three seasons.
2020 6-1 G Anthony Hardy: The scoring dynamo didn’t disappoint against Creekview albeit a slow first half. Hardy ran wild in transition in the second half, scoring 16 of his game-high 20 points to go along with his 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Hardy isn’t the best athlete in Georgia, the most physically imposing or the top three-point shooter, but he is a wired-to-score bucket getter, something that can’t be overlooked or taught. He thrived off turnovers and turned his defense into easy offense.
2020 6-1 G Antonio Lewis: While Anthony Hardy got the majority of his points in run outs and hard drives to the basket, Antonio Lewis sniped away from distance, hitting three threes and multiple jumpers en route to 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Lewis’ ability to stroke the ball gives him value at the next level. He and Hardy make up a great 1-2 punch in West Georgia and a must-see backcourt for colleges looking for scorers.
2020 6-2 PG Eric Gaines: The uber-athletic string bean stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks against Douglas County. Gaines plays with panache, a human highlight whether streaking to the rim for an electrifying dunk or dishing off a flashy assist. Gaines hasn’t popped with colleges or national recruiting services yet but make no mistake, he is one of the best in Georgia’s deep 2020 class at the lead guard position and a valid D-I level prospect.
2022 6-2 G Domonik Henderson: The reigning Class 3A Freshman of the Year turned heads at camp. An elite athlete with a motor to boot, Henderson was constantly involved in every play in a 48-32 win over Johnson-Gainesville. Henderson is tenacious on-ball defender with the upside of being truly elite. His hunger to play defense separates him from most players his age. Offensively his three-point shot is still coming along and he’s more of a slasher. He had 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 block. Under the new tutelage of Coach Michael Hoffpauir, Henderson has a chance to turn into something special.
2021 5-11 PG Derrius Martin: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals against Northeast-Macon, Derrius Martin continued with his strong summer impressing me yet again. Martin is tough with the ball and makes good reads. He’s got a knack for getting into the paint and finishing through contact. Martin is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
2020 6-8 W Xavier Valley: Xavier Valley is a streaky shooter at times but he’s got the ability to score in bunches. He hit five threes and finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block. Missouri State offered him at camp. He’s got the tools to solidify himself as a premier wing in Georgia. Boston College, UConn, Memphis, VCU and Georgia already have offered.
2020 6-3 G Zarion Griffin: Zarion Griffin shot the ball well in a 41-26 loss to Washington County. He scored 14 points and hit three threes. Griffin has nice size on the perimeter and a scorer’s mentality. He didn’t have enough help to keep pace with Washington County but challenged their defense with his shot-making. Griffin holds a 2.4 GPA and claims interest from Georgia Southern.
2021 6-6 F Jatarion Warren: One of South Georgia’s hottest prospects, Jatarion Warren made the most of his time in Metro Atlanta, leading Tift County to a 43-42 win over Langston Hughes to kick off camp on Saturday. Warren had 14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks and the game-winning free throw in sudden death overtime. Warren was all over the floor on both ends of the court, flying in for rebounds and swatting away shots to protect the rim. Offensively, Warren hit jumpers with his high release including a three-pointer and scored efficiently around the basket. As far as wing skills go, it looked like Warren’s outside shooting might be a little ahead of his perimeter ball handling, but his motor on the glass and defensively make him one of South Georgia’s most impactful players.
2020 6-2 PG Jarden Maze: Maze owned the stage in a South Georgia showcase game vs. Statesboro. His playmaking ability shined as he split defenders and got to the rim on multiple occasions. Maze has a slippery way about him, making him a tough cover. He had some nice finishes at the basket but more impressive was his passing. He is able to find open teammates in tough spots and makes everyone around him better. Maze had 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. He is a capable three-point shooter, making him a threat at all three levels. Maze looks like a breakout candidate that will be known statewide if he isn’t already. He maintains a 3.7 GPA and has interest from Furman.
2020 6-4 W Joseph Staiti: Cousin of current UGA post player Jenna Staiti, Joseph was outstanding against Ja’Queze Kirby and the Jeff Davis Yellowjackets. Staiti is a true inside-out threat from the wing position. He’s a grinder that can play both forward spots. He had 18 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Staiti’s jumper was honed in, nailing four threes. Small schools need to keep an eye on his progress and make sure he doesn’t slip through their fingers.
2020 6-1 PG Angelo Grimes: A solid athlete with a calm floor general demeanor, Angelo Grimes averaged 11.5 points over two games and stuffed the stat sheet in a 64-57 win over Johns Creek with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Grimes did a good job of getting into the paint and kicking out to teammates. He is a pass-first point guard who does his scoring at the rim.
2020 5-10 PG Tailique Williams: A known commodity in west Georgia, the engine of Harris County led the Tigers to a few wins at Georgia Tech. The dual-sport athlete getting recruited to play football posted 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in a 52-46 win over Alpharetta. Williams’ quickness and football physicality allowed him to squeeze into the lane and tear the defense down from the inside out. He’s got a funky left-handed stroke but Williams hit a few jumpers through out the day. His court vision makes him one of the best true point guards in the Columbus area.
2020 6-5 F Josh Spencer: In losses to Harris County and ELCA, Spencer contributed all over the floor. He had 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks vs. Harris County before going for 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block against ELCA. Spencer is a strong forward with a versatile skillset. He helps out on the glass and defensively, but maintaining an aggressive mindset offensively with consistency will be important his senior season. Spencer has enough talent to average close to a double-double this year – which Alpharetta will need – he just has to hunt his offense a little more.
2020 6-9 C Mohamad Diallo: Mo Diallo transferred from Arabia Mountain to Southwest DeKalb last season but was unable to see the floor. With how he played at Georgia Tech, he should be a front runner for the starting center job. Diallo had 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks against Jeff Davis but picked it up against Sandy Creek with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. Diallo is still raw, but he alters a ton of shots inside. The late bloomer needs to polish up some post moves, but he did try a few hook shots. He had three missed dunks on the day, trying to drop step and finish over smaller defenders, a good aggressive look but he will need to finish them off. The big lefty could use some more muscle but in a state that has a dearth of size, Diallo could play his way onto some college radars.
2020 6-5 SG PJ Carter: Langston Hughes’ next D-I player is PJ Carter. The sharpshooter did a fine job of replacing Landers Nolley (Virginia Tech) last season, averaging 19.1 points per game. Carter is swift to catch fire with his lightning-quick release. He drilled four threes en route to 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in a win over North Clayton. Carter was one of Team Camp’s top performers and should start to become a priority for LM-MM schools looking for a scorer with a pure jump shot. He’s drawn interest from the likes of UT-Chattanooga, Wofford and Georgia Southern to name a few.
2020 6-7 W Luke Champion: When Luke Champion is locked in from three after seeing a few drop in, it is going to be a long night for defenses. He caught fire against Mt. Bethel in a 42-37 win, draining four deep balls on his way to 16 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. Champion did a little more with the ball than when I saw him last summer. He was able to put it on the floor for a few dribbles to free himself for open looks. As he continues to tighten up his handle and ability to get to the basket, it will open up more scoring opportunities. He had a quiet encore performance against Miller Grove with 6 points on two threes, but he had Georgia Tech Head Coach Josh Pastner intrigued with his floor stretching ability.
2020 6-9 PF Colin Granger: As far as true big men go in Georgia, Colin Granger might have the most present-day talent in the 2020 class outside of Walker Kessler but finding that consistent killer mentality on the low block is his final hurdle. You won’t find another post player that runs the floor as well as Granger does. Up against Jordan Meka of Mt. Bethel, Granger was up to the task, putting together 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block. Granger was always one of the first players down the floor which led to deep post position if he wasn’t catching passes in stride for lay-ins. Granger moves exceptionally well, especially considering the amount of muscle that he is carrying on his frame as one of the state’s sturdiest players. Granger knocked down two threes on the day and started his own fast break on numerous occasions. Sometimes he can try to do a little too much and turn the ball over, but his play on Sunday was the best I’ve seen out of him. Even in a loss to Miller Grove where he had a quiet first half, Granger finished the game with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist. Continuing to be coachable and accepting a leadership role are two big areas that Granger has a chance to capitalize on in his final season.