RYZE Live Showcase I
Analysis

RYZE Live Showcase I Top Performers

Jordan Howe2024 6-4 F Jordan Howe – NME – Harrison
No, he does not play football. The man child known as Jordan Howe looks like a future SEC linebacker but instead he’s a productive bulldozer on the low block. Howe is chiseled out of stone and isn’t shy about throwing his weight around. The lefty who plays up in 17U, hung 20 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block against Georgia Fire Premier before making an even louder statement with 20 points against the Georgia Stars, outplaying their four-star 6-foot-11 forward that was fouled out and held to 4 points. Howe is flying under the radar in Georgia due to Harrison’s lack of success, but he is a bully down low in every sense. He absorbs contact and scores easily around the rim using a strong step through. Howe has expanding range, hitting a pair of threes over the weekend. Aside from his powerful offense and rebounding, his defense really deserves some credit. Howe does a great job walling up, bowing out his chest and keeping his arms straight up to push defenders away from the basket and alter their shots without fouling. While his height may hinder his recruitment some, Howe has plenty of time to add more facets to his game and force his way onto college radars.

Taison Mathis2024 5-9 PG Taison Mathis – Georgia Trendsetters – Miller Grove
During Miller Grove’s run of success, guard play was paramount. Coming off a 14-11 season without a state playoff berth, expect the focus to shift to Taison Mathis to help lift the Wolverines back into the big dance. Mathis impressed me with his skill and quickness, especially considering the fact that he was playing up in the 17U Division. Mathis is shifty and creative, able to consistently get two feet in the paint on drives. Taison takes his man off the dribble and finishes with either hand. He has a high arcing ambidextrous tear drop floater that he releases with confidence. When defenders start giving him cushion to keep him out of the lane, Mathis is able to pull-up on a dime and knock down the mid-range jumper. His ability to score in traffic and also shoot from the perimeter makes him tough to slow down. He also showed over the course of the weekend a willingness to set up his teammates. He netted 13 points in a close loss to the Atlanta Timberwolves and dropped 20 points to go with 3 assists in a 68-55 win over OTP.

Seydina N'diaye2023 6-4 F Seydina N’diaye – Georgia Trendsetters – Miller Grove
There is something to be said when it comes to reliability at the high school level. Seydina N’diaye is just that – reliable – with his high motor and relentless pursuit of rebounds. Standing around 6-foot-4, N’diaye’s nose for the ball standouts out. He’s a tenacious rebounder that caught my eye as a walking double-double. Seydina posted 18 points and 13 rebounds vs. the Timberwolves before going for 14 points and 11 rebounds against OTP. N’diaye isn’t a genetic freak with elite bounce or incredible length and strength, he gets the job done with his “want to”. He’s a battler that converts on putbacks and has a baby hook on the low block. The garbage man finishes with both hands and scores through contact. While he may never be the top option on offense, his ability to earn second chances is an invaluable asset that will win games next season for Miller Grove.

Ryan Luttrell2023 6-4 G Ryan Luttrell – Atlanta Timberwolves Green – Pope
For two decades now, Pope has quietly been a factory for college players. The well built by Coach Pat Abney won’t be running dry any time soon as Ryan Luttrell is on his way to producing a strong senior season. The big guard has a smooth feel to his game. He can score downhill, hit the mid-range and knock down the three. He attacks defenses from multiple levels and can use his strength and size to power in buckets in traffic. Luttrell had 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block vs. the Georgia Trendsetters.

Jacob Wilkins2025 6-7 F Jacob Wilkins – TSF Mack 2025 – Heritage-Conyers
Dominique’s son is carving out his own legacy. After averaging 10 points per game as a freshman, Jacob Wilkins has three more years to blossom into one of 2025’s best. Long and wiry with springy legs, Wilkins has major tools to work with. He’s a stretchy forward that can score in the paint and do damage from the perimeter. He has a nice looking three-point jumper and is a fluid athlete. Jacob has great upside especially in the pick-and-roll. He’s able to slip to the rim, catch on the move and finish with power or pop out and space the floor with his range. While he will need to add weight over the course of his career, Wilkins isn’t frail and has the functional strength to mix it up down low and score against thicker opponents. He recorded 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in a win over Wood Elite Black. Wilkins has a high major future and could be an all-time great at Heritage if he chooses to stay loyal and dawn the blue and red for the entirety of his career.

2025 6-5 F Brendan Tousignaut – Wood Elite Black – Sequoyah
Since the line of demarcation of when Sequoyah officially became a basketball school, the 2009-10 season, the Chiefs have consistently produced sneaky good talent from D-I to D-III. I saw a lot that I liked in my first viewing of Brendan Tousignaut. He’s got long arms and good IQ. Brendan is an inside-out threat at the forward position. When he caught the ball in the low post, he showcased patient footwork and a scoring touch. He’s got nimble feet in general, able to spin his way to the rim and finish with either hand and through contact as well. Tousignaut can stretch the floor, spending time on the perimeter and capable of hitting the open three. Defensively, Tousignaut is an asset as a defender that can guard 3-5. Up against a loaded TSF Mack team, Brendan was a bright spot with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block.

2025 5-10 PG Keith Banks – HoopAtlanta – Dacula
Playing up in 16U, Keith Banks didn’t have any issue making his presence felt in a 61-27 blowout of the Columbus Wolves. The well-built lead guard scored a game-high 17 points, using his strength to barrel his way to the rim while still managing to drain a pair of threes. Banks plays with good balance, not getting bumped off his line when attacking the rim. The lefty moves well without the ball and is a smart cutter. Banks could be in line for some rotational minutes in a crowded Dacula backcourt this season.

Reese Gelsthorpe2023 5-10 G Reese Gelsthorpe – HoopAtlanta – George Walton Academy
One of the best shooters this spring has been Reese Gelsthorpe, a Class A-Private Region 8 First Teamer. The flame thrower has had some prolific three-point outbursts, including drilling nine long balls in a single game last weekend. This weekend he helped guide HoopAtlanta to a 2-1 record. Gelsthorpe has deep range and a lightning quick trigger. He can play either on or off the ball and can fill it up both on the catch and off the bounce. In a 97-43 wreckage of TCE, Gelsthorpe dropped in 12 points, hitting a pair of threes and scoring with his pull-up jumper and a pretty floater. Reese should be on small school radars for programs in search of a shot maker from beyond the arc. Expect D-III schools among other levels to track his progress.

Nahom Sehaye2022 5-10 PG Nahom Sehaye – HoopAtlanta – Loganville
Though it was a blowout, there was still a ton of good to take away from Nahom Sehaye’s 19-point, 4-rebound and 3-assist performance. Sehaye impressed me with his offensive versatility. He truly scored at all three levels, peppering the defense with pull-ups from the mid-range, slices to the basket and three-point jumpers. Sehaye does a good job getting to his spots and getting what he wants. The defense never dictated what Nahom’s decision making would be.

2022 6-5 PF Josh Hughes – OTP – Etowah
The hardnosed unsigned senior compiled 21 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks in a loss. He converted three And-1s. Hughes is a strong forward that is used to doing the dirty work. He doesn’t need plays called for him in order to be effective, but when he does get the ball inside, he often finishes at an efficient rate. Hughes gives up some height inside, but his physicality and vertical leap help him compete for rebounds. The elite academic post (31 ACT/1370 SAT/4.0 GPA) will surely find a home at the next level.

2024 6-3 CG Jayden Foster – Elite Jr Sports – Cass
In a low scoring defensive struggle, a 46-39 loss to the Atlanta All-Stars, Jayden Foster was the most dynamic offensive threat on the floor, tallying 12 hard-earned points. Foster is a wiry guard that is comfortable having the ball in his hands. He’s got a quick first step, using a crossover to find angles to get downhill. Foster likes to go left and can finish with his left hand in traffic. The natural righty has a solid mid-range jump shot that has the ability to extend to the three-point line. Foster averaged 17.3 points per game this weekend and has a bright future in a young Cass backcourt.

2023 6-0 PG Tayden Owens – Wood Elite – Cherokee
One of the most polished true point guards in 17U, Tayden Owens averaged 11.5 points per game as he guided Wood Elite to a 3-1 weekend. Owens packs a punch with his offense. He’s physically strong and plays at multiple speeds. Tayden shines in the pick-and-roll, able to use the screen to find his shot or wrap passes around the defense to his rollers. Owens’ court vision was impressive as he accounted for a bulk of Wood Elite’s offense with his playmaking. Being ball strong, Owens was consistently able to split traps and find the open man. In a 57-55 win over AC Georgia, Tayden finished with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. Owens is on the fringe of becoming a D-I player. He has a covetable skill set for a lead guard. If an offer never materializes at that level, Tayden will be a priority target for top D-II programs across the southeast.