The GA Elite Ballers and the D-Favors Celtics locked horns at the adidas Gauntlet Regional Qualifier. The Celtics won 64-56 behind the sweet shooting of their 2019 backcourt.
6-2 PG Hunter McIntosh (GAC) was lights out. The state champion guard with a 4.57 GPA and only a FGCU offer reveled in the head-to-head matchup with fellow elite guard, Mitch Ganote. McIntosh drilled 4 threes on his way to 22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. Though he might not have the same fanfare and the offers that other lead guards have, McIntosh is firmly entrenched in the discussion for best point guard in Georgia. He averaged 20 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals this season. His ability to control a game and score from all over the court makes him the ideal floor general. Expect Ivy League schools to start pulling the trigger soon. D-I schools will want to move quickly before they get left behind.
With older brother and current Auburn Tiger Jared Harper in attendance, 6-0 PG Jalen Harper (Pebblebrook) shined. Just like the Harper family tradition, Jalen was instant offense from beyond the arc, drilling 3 threes and finishing with 21 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. It was a great first impression for a player who hasn’t been asked to carry the load during the high school season. Harper has played rotational minutes and will try to follow in the footsteps of 2018 PG Dwight Murray, who patiently waited and eventually cashed in on an Incarnate Word scholarship.
2018 6-9 C Brandon Favors (Westlake) anchored the paint for D-Favors. The big man says he will reclassify to 2019 and head to The-Skill-Factory. Favors is a strong lean athlete that moves very well. He can face up in the low post and attack the rim. He posted 7 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks. Favors is a bit of a lit bloomer production wise. His senior season at Westlake he averaged 6.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. He has the natural tools to become a quality college player with the right work.
Even though they were outshot from deep, unable to withstand eight D-Favors threes, the GA Elite Ballers still had a good showing.
2019 6-1 PG Mitch Ganote (Lambert) brought his toughness in a showcase matchup. A slick competitor, Ganote was up to his old tricks, probing defenses until he found what he liked. Ganote uses his body well to shield defenders, backing down his man before making a decision. He crafts his way to the basket and can finish through contact and is a great passer when he drives and kicks. He finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals before suffering a possible concussion after a collision.
2019 6-6 F Brandon Deravine (Campbell) did damage inside and out. The combo forward can bang down low and has a few nice post moves. His quickness inside makes him a mismatch problem while against bigger defenders, he can pull them out and attack from 15-feet. Deravine finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals. He averaged 12.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks at Campbell. With the Spartans set to return a bulk of their Elite Eight team, expect Deravine to have plenty of opportunities to impress college coaches.
2019 6-4 SF D’Antaye Page (Westlake) brought his utility belt, doing a little bit of everything. He had 9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Page averaged 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds at Westlake, but it seems like his confidence is growing and he can provide even more production his senior season. Against Ball4Lyfe, Page erupted for 37 points hitting 3 threes in a 76-75 win. Page put himself on the radar as a player to track heading into his final season.
Team Power
When I saw 2019 6-7 F Mackenzie McFatten (Coffee) earlier this year on Senior Night against Tift County, I knew I had to see him again. Fast forward four months later and the relatively unknown eye-catcher is now a legit D-I prospect with a North Alabama offer. The long lefty averaged 11.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2.3 blocks down south. Now playing with Team Power, the rest of the state can see his potential. He is a menace on defense, not only protecting the rim but using his wingspan to key the top of the press, gobbling up guards. Offensively, McFatten can knock down the outside jumper and plays with a toughness inside, finishing through contact on the low block. McFatten should end up being one of the top 2019 big men in the state of Georgia.
2019 6-5 F Stanley Eze (Mt. Bethel) is a lengthy defensive-minded wing. He shows some good instincts and uses his wingspan to guard multiple positions. Offensively, Eze is a slasher but also has a trusty mid-range jump shot at the foul line.
2019 5-10 PG Josh Guilford (Heritage-Conyers) shined in Georgia Man Up’s 67-64 championship victory over Team Affect. He was tricky, using his experience to coax three fouls on three-point attempts. He finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Guilford has a good feel for the game and has momentum coming off of Heritage’s Final Four run in Class AAAAAA. He was the team’s third-leading scorer at 11.3 points per game and will bring with him some veteran savvy his senior season.
2019 6-2 SG Khobe Comer (Stockbridge) caught my eye with his pretty shooting stroke and nice size. He was a role player for the Tigers last season but should move up in the rotation. He was a crucial floor spacer for Georgia Man Up and hit three timely three-pointers down the stretch in the championship, hitting four for the game and finishing with 15 points and MVP honors.
2019 5-foot-10 PG Trillis Brown (Stockbridge) averaged 7.3 points during the high school season. He was a playmaker this weekend at sportalSlam I. He came in off the bench to affect the game in ways that don’t always show up on the scoresheet. He netted 6 points, but it was his defensive pressure and decision making with the ball that shined. He had two nice assists and knows how to set up his teammates.
17U Team Affect
2018 6-5 SF Tabais Long (Salem) is a player that has long interested me. With such size, at first glance you would think the Scotland Prep bound swingman is more akin to playing the role of bruiser on the block, but instead it’s his mixture of skill and physicality that sets him apart. Long can handle the ball like a guard, but punish you on downhill assaults like LeBron James, using his body to absorb contact and finish at the rim. He posted 32 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block in a blowout win and showed all the tools that makes him a prospect to keep tabs on. In the championship game, he struggled with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, airballing two three-pointers. Over his senior season, Long averaged 11.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals while hitting 45% of his three-point attempts (25-of-55). He has the physical tools to be a productive college player.
2019 5-10 PG Jalen Horton (Rockdale County) showed some flashes of being able to carry the load offensively for the Bulldogs next season. After averaging 5 points and 3.6 assists, Horton will be asked to play a much more substantial role in the offense with Sayvon Traylor graduating his 21.9 points per game. Horton is a spark plug guard that likes to break his man down off the dribble. He has to be careful not to over dribble too much. The only time he might force the issue is when he tries to get into the paint. He didn’t take too many bad outside shots this weekend and moved the ball around. He had 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals in a 35-point win. In a championship loss, he finished with 6 points, 4 assists and 3 steals.
2018 6-5 SF Tehjuan Powell (Salem) is a rugged slasher that finishes with authority at the rim. He led the Seminoles in scoring his senior season at 13.3 points to go with his 5.2 rebounds per game. Everything was towards the basket. He reminded me of Central-Talbotton’s ZyTavian Hill, a physical specimen that imposes his will. Powell had 12 points and 4 rebounds in a rout and posted 16 points and 5 boards in the championship. He must develop an outside shot to keep defenses honest and round out his offensive game. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and isn’t afraid to talk during games.
2018 6-5 PF Jalen Reynolds (Salem) was a space eater inside. He used his wide frame well and showed some back-to-the-basket post moves. He has a strong drop step that freed him up consistently throughout the weekend. One he got his shoulders past the defender, he was strong enough to keep any would-be shot blockers from affecting him. His best game came in the championship with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
2020 5-11 CG Jeremiah Venson (Salem) rose his stock at sportalSlam. The lefty played sparingly this season, averaging 2.9 points per game, but that should change next year. Venson is a microwave from deep, that can get hot in a hurry. He is composed with the ball and can catch defenders off balance. Once his three-point shot is established, Venson can attack the paint and finish in traffic. He had 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals against the Georgia Livin’ Legends and followed up with 14 points on 4 threes in the title game.
16U Georgia Grizzlies
2020 6-6 C Kedric Barrett (Lambert) was so impressive throughout sportalSlam, capping his excellence with MVP honors after wrecking the Smyrna Stars for 25 points and 15 rebounds. Barrett is a big boy and uses his size to his advantage. He is a throw back post that knows how to score around the rim. He loves to turn over his left shoulder to get to his baby hook which he kissed off the glass consistently. The Grizzlies high-lowed teams to death this weekend, using duck-ins to get Barrett free. He has a nice touch that can extend to 15-feet and was money from the line, going 9-of-10 in the championship. Barrett can sometimes incite altercations with his play inside, but when he is locked in and doesn’t get involved with any head games, Barrett is a solid foundation player. Currently, he is stuck behind fellow sophomore 6-foot-8 Colin Granger on the Lambert depth chart.
2020 5-11 SG Franklin Bailey (Chattahoochee) was money from deep. Bailey overall may have been the Grizzlies’ most consistent scorer. He drilled 13 threes in the three games I watched, posting 20, 20 and 11 points. Bailey can’t be left open from deep or he will burn you. He can get his shot off the bounce when needed, but he’s at his best when he keeps his dribble to a minimum. He can be a plug-and-play three-point specialist in a pinch for a young Chattahoochee team.
2020 6-6 F Javani Brown (Johns Creek) has outstanding bloodlines, the son of former 15-year NBA veteran PJ Brown and coaching maestro Dee Brown. Javani is long and lean and has his best ball ahead of him. He can knock down the three, hitting six in a three-game span. He came on strong in the championship game, sinking three deep balls en route to 12 points. Right now he is a bit of a tweener at forward. I’d like to see him work on his post up game to really make him a three-level threat.
16U Smyrna Stars
2020 6-5 PF Sean Rutledge (East Paulding) is a workhorse post with ball skills that will play a big role in new coach JW Cantrell’s offense. I fell in love with Rutledge’s toughness and agility. He is a big bruiser inside but he can ignite his own fast breaks with the dribble. He handles the ball well but is definitely at his best when anchored on the block. He is a bully on the boards with soft hands. He had 11 points and 13 rebounds in the title game. Rutledge has an up-and-under along with some ball fakes in his post arsenal. He plays the angles well and understands how to use his shoulders to score in defenders’ chests. Playing in a more traditional offense will suit his style of play well.
2020 6-2 PG Jordan Jefferson (Hiram) has length at the lead guard position. He possesses a nice three-point stroke as well, hitting four threes on his way to 14 points in the championship game. To no surprise, Jefferson uses his long arms to help out on the boards, corralling 5 rebounds and earning 3 steals. Jefferson could be a useful rotational piece his junior season.
16U Dynasty Elite
2020 6-5 SF Sterling Johnson (King’s Ridge) is a well-built swingman with a dangerous outside shot. He can slash effectively and makes him a threat to score from all three levels. Johnson has the makings of becoming a breakout candidate his junior season considering that Eric Coleman Jr. has transferred to Buford. It should be Johnson’s team at King’s Ridge. It will be interesting to see how new head coach Bob Martin uses Johnson in his offense.
2020 6-6 F Chase McKey (Mt. Pisgah) is a long forward that is transferring from Johns Creek. He will need to get stronger, but McKey can score inside and out. He can knock down the three-point shot while also using a soft touch around the rim. He should be a quality piece at Mt. Pisah and provide help on both ends of the floor.
15U D-Favors Celtics
2021 5-11 CG Marcus Samuel (Langston Hughes) is physically cable to handle the rigors of the varsity level. He already has one state championship ring as a role player off the bench for the Panthers. Samuel is a bowling ball powerful guard that put defenders to sleep once he got his shoulders by them. He turns the corner, he has a variety of nifty finishes at the rim. He piled in 23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks in a blow out win. Samuel knows how to get two feet in the paint. The next part of his game that needs to develop is a three-point shot.
2021 5-9 PG KJ Webb (Langston Hughes) is a lengthy playmaker that gets after it on both sides. He can disrupt offenses with his on-ball defense which leads to opportunities on offense. He stuffed the stat sheet with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 steals. Webb is a tough guard that should be a valuable piece at the varsity level in due time.
14U Cherokee Legacy
2022 5-10 SG DJ Potts-Heard is a floor spacer and a varsity ready three-point shooter. He nailed 5 threes in his 25-point outburst to open sportalSlam. When his feet are set, Potts-Heard can carry a team from deep. He has some nice moves when getting to the basket as well. He is wired to score at this stage of his career. Once he develops more of a floor game as a playmaker, Potts-Heard could really become a big-time player. Either way, he is a sought-after freshman that will need to decide whether to play in Cherokee County or to venture out to private school. Depending on which route he chooses, he could make an impact as a rotational player right away.
2022 6-0 F Robbie Roper (Woodstock) provides energy as a garbage guy. He can do a little bit of everything out on the floor and has a good IQ that often puts him in a position to succeed. He sparked the Legacy in their opening game, springing the eventual champions to life with 6 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals.
2022 6-1 F Ezra Milton (Cherokee) is a physically mature forward that can knock down the three and use his athleticism to score inside. Milton is a banger that has skill offensively. He is another quality player that will be a part of Cherokee’s youth movement.
14U Georgia Grizzlies
2022 5-10 G Maestro Shadburn was aggressive getting to the basket all week. He is a true downhill slasher that does all his work around the rim. He can finish with both hands. Shadburn is a bundle of energy. He posted 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals against the Cherokee Legacy. Developing an outside shot will be the next step in his offensive development.
14U Team MTXE
2022 5-7 SG Grant Rowe (St. Pius X) is a money shooter. Rowe has the clutch gene, drilling a deep two off a head fake as time expired to advance onto the championship game. He may be little, but Rowe has a good feel for the game and can get red-hot from deep.
2022 5-10 G Cam Wingo (St. Pius X) was non-stop effort this weekend for Team MTXE. He embodies what being a future Golden Lion is all about: Mental toughness, Extra effort. Wingo is built like a football player and plays like it on the court with a controlled aggression. He is a leader on the floor and will do whatever it takes to win. He reminds me of 2019 6-3 F Zach Ranson, a Wake Forest football-commit, who played an integral part in St. Pius making back-to-back state championship appearances.
Friday night of the 2018 Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions supplied a look at some of Georgia’s top players. Though the majority of the games were blowouts in the first round of bracket play, there was still valuable intel collected at Suwanee Sports Academy.
Atlanta Celtics 82, Palm Beach Bulls 30
Alec Woodard
The Atlanta Celtics overwhelmed a smaller Palm Beach Bulls team. The Celtics were sparked off the bench by Morgan County 2019 standouts 6-foot-3 Alec Woodard and 6-foot-4 Tyrin Lawrence. Woodard played centerfielder in the Celtics’ full court press and nearly posted a triple-double thanks to his quick instincts. The three-point marksman showed his entire skill set finishing with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 9 steals. Lawrence, who holds offers from College of Charleston and Robert Morris, collected 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 1 block.
2019 6-foot-7 forward Armani Harris (Newton) played well inside. He provided physical play with some nice offensive footwork, able to attack from the foul line and spin his way to the cup. He had 9 points and 8 rebounds.
Ole Miss-commit 6-foot-10 Rodney Howard (Centennial) continues to improve. He did the majority of his damage on rim runs, finding and sealing his defender deep underneath the basket for easy finishes. He used his size to his advantage and was unstoppable against the smaller Bulls when he got good position. Howard is still a little mechanical and stiff in his movements however. He has a high arcing release on his jump shot and a nice touch on it, but it can be a slow developing stroke that might not be as effective against taller defenders. Overall, Howard dominated like an SEC big man should against a small 6-foot-4 front line, finishing with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 1 block.
Brenden Tucker (Dacula; 15), Kamar Robertson (Cambridge; 12) and Reco Hallmon (Grayson; 9) combined for 36 points in the lopsided blowout. Tucker had three breakaway dunks. Hallmon added 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Atlanta Xpress 80, HESE Wolverines 20
No Anthony Edwards, no problem for the Xpress on Friday night. 2019 6-foot-3 CG Chase Hunter (Westlake) was electric with his trademark tenacity. Hunter is the epitome of a two-way player, a guy who will hound you on one end and dunk on you on the other. Hunter is much more than just a YouTube sensation with his aerial assaults on the rim. He has deep range, knocking down two threes with a handful of pull-up jumpers from the mid-range as well. Couple that with his quick first step that lets him get to the basket and its easy to see why High Major offers have been pouring in this spring. He had 22 points, 5 steals and 1 block.
6-foot-8, 215-pound 2019 PF Ibrahima Jarjou tallied 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals and 3 blocks. The Greenforest big man follows in the school’s tradition of finding mature built forwards. He is an active rebounder that is rounding into form offensively. He knocked down a jumper and showed the ability to put the ball on the floor on some straight-line drives to the rim.
2019 6-foot-8 F Ahmir Langlais (Parkview) picked up 7 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks. Langlais is very young and very skilled for his age. Reclassifying is not completely out of the realm of possibility. With that being said, Langlais can sometimes fall in love with his finesse side. He can tend to do a little too much and be too flashy with the ball when showing his ball-handling and passing. In a closer, more structured game I think Langlais is a tough cover on the block with his lefty hook and spins inside. He just has to bring that same focus and toughness whether it’s a blowout or a close game and avoid drifting too far away from the paint.
Game Elite 77, ALLBALL 56
Before he even played a varsity game, I tagged 2019 6-foot-7 F Jalyn McCreary (Kennesaw Mountain) as a potential big-time difference maker in the state of Georgia. So far, McCreary has lived up to the billing and is getting even more traction with nine offers in hand. The lefty can score from all three levels. He plays above the rim, rebounds, handles the ball and can block shots. McCreary is a one-man fast break when he gets the ball off the backboard. He posted 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. With his size and versatility, McCreary should be destined to become a High Major signee when all is said and done. As long as he stays focused and doesn’t get too high or too low during the flow of the game, McCreary should be the best player on the floor in almost every game he plays his senior season.
2019 5-foot-9 Jaire Eastmond (Wheeler) hooked up with McCreary for three alley-oops. Eastmond has a nice touch on his lob passes. He finished with 7 assists. He must improve defensively and make up for his small stature. He was able to come away with three steals and does good work in transition.
Georgia South 59, Manzer Black 54
AJ Watts
5-foot-10 scoring dynamo AJ Watts (Carver-Columbus) netted nine of his 11 points in the first half. The 2019 guard is a competitor. He uses a nice crossover to get free and attack the paint. Defensively, Watts has active hands, swiping at the ball-handler. He produced 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block.
Westover’s 2019 trio of Jordan Brown, AJ Jackson and Mike Todd Isler combined for 28 points, doing it in different ways. Brown, 5-foot-9, struggled with his outside shot, going 2-of-8 from three. He finished with 7 points. Like all great shooters, Brown must ask himself how can he positively affect the game if his shots not falling? He had one nice finish at the rim in transition. I think getting into the paint should be a priority for him when his shot isn’t on.
Jackson, fresh from Father Lopez, FL, is an absolute jumping jack at 6-foot-2. He is an explosive athlete that will supply plenty of highlights. His downhill attack should couple nicely with Brown’s outside shooting. Jackson had 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Isler is might be the least skilled out of the trio but brings maximum effort to cover up for any shortcomings. He is a 6-foot-4 combo forward that is a garbage guy. The lefty finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. You will never have to worry about asking Isler to play hard from what I saw on Friday.
17U Justus League rolled with the experienced backcourt of 2018s 5-11 PG Nayari Dampier (North Cobb) and 5-8 PG Roscoe Spruill (South Cobb). The two-headed monster led Justus League to a 79-49 romp of the Georgia Stunners. Dampier drilled four threes on his way to 14 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Spruill, a stout speed merchant, posted 12 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. Spruill thrived in transition, outracing the defense and making the right decision on whether to take it himself or find shooters. Both guards have been in the weight room and have the muscle to help out which ever programs pick them up.
Tough Guards
Chandler Minton
2020 5-11 CG Chandler Minton (Mt. Pisgah) and 2019 6-1 SG Cameron Gwyn (Chestatee) went at it in 17U Team Recruit’s 69-49 win over Inspire Atlanta. Though he was on the short end of the scoreboard, Minton did everything he could to keep Inspire Atlanta competitive. Built like a running back, Minton poured in 29 points (3 threes) and grabbed 6 rebounds. He was the only player that could consistently create his own shot, getting it from beyond the arc and when putting his head down an attacking, finishing 6-of-7 from the foul line. Minton averaged 10.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game as third fiddle at Mt. Pisgah.
Cameron Gwyn Photo: @HoopSeenGA
Gwyn got Team Recruit off to a hot start, knocking down four threes over the first three quarters of play. He finished his day with 21 points. When left open, Gwyn often made Inspire Atlanta pay. He was a Region 7-AAAA Honorable Mention selection this year and should be asked to carry the load his senior season after the Class of 2018 graduates eight members.
Myles Todd Photo: @HoopSeenGA
2019 6-0 PG Myles Todd (Pace Academy) is taking all the steps this offseason to have a breakout year at the helm of the Knights. Todd has been a habitual producer with the Ballin Blazers so far, running the show at point guard and showcasing his scoring and his ability to run a team. Todd put up 11 points, 5 assists and 3 steals in a win over Sports Academy South and controlled the game. His quickness allowed him to get to the rim in a hurry. Todd has no other choice but to step up his senior year. With Pace Academy currently devoid of any D-I names, Todd has to be a consistent leader. He has shown flashes in years past, but also showed a tendency to take a backseat role in some bigger games while freshman Josh Mininberg took some minutes. As the only returning senior from last year’s roster, its Todd’s time to shine.
Sleeper Alert
Jahleel Roundtree
He didn’t have the sexiest stat line and he may never reach his potential, but 17U Sports Academy South’s Jahleel Roundtree (Burke County) has the raw tools to become a college recruit. At 6-foot-6, the 2019 wing can wreak havoc with his long arms and athleticism. He tallied 6 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks against the Ballin Blazers, pretty much right at his season average this high school season with Burke County where he averaged 7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks per game. Roundtree can get you the occasional highlight dunk, but he must get more aggressive on offense and do some more individual skill training. Right now, he is more of a versatile glue-guy with a focus on defense, using his frame and energy to make an impact. From the game I saw, he is still far off from becoming a go-to-guy on offense and is more of a passive slasher and a guy who can clean up some misses around the rim. Burke County graduates their top three scorers ahead of Roundtree, so he should have every opportunity to showcase his all-around game his senior season. If he can develop a jump shot (attempted 0 threes; 44% FT shooter), he could turn into a talented late bloomer in Waynesboro. If not, his ceiling will be however far his defense can take him.
Kalib Clinton
2021 6-4 G Kalib Clinton (Jackson County) has only played two years of organized basketball, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by the way he plays. Clinton was a major stock riser this weekend as he brought the energy to 16U BCB. Playing up didn’t affect Clinton’s ability to be productive. After averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds as a freshman, Clinton was right back at it, tallying 14 points and 9 rebounds. Clinton is a smooth athlete with bounce that can get to where he needs to go on the floor. He is more of a slasher right now, but he showed he can hit some tough mid-range jumpers in traffic. When he put his head down and got to the basket, if he was met with resistance he made the right play of kicking it out instead of forcing it. His lateral quickness projects him to become a lockdown defender. Clinton has a high ceiling and with year-round coaching, he is heading in the right direction.
2022 Fresh Face
Sedrick O’Neal
Although I wasn’t able to catch his entire game, I fell in love with 14U Eightball Elite’s 6-2 C Sedrick O’Neal (Maynard Jackson). O’Neal will be heading into his freshman year and should be able to make an immediate impact for Coach Travis Williams. O’Neal was an absolute monster in Eightball Elite’s run to the championship. He dumped in 21 points in a statement win over the Georgia Kings and followed up with 26 points in the title game. O’Neal checks all the boxes for a big man. He is physical and strong with great hands. He knows how to use his body and can score around the rim with a variety of drop steps. He was a double-double machine, gobbling up every rebound and even showed that he can handle the ball enough to ignite his own fast breaks. He has an easy, yet explosive elevation that reminds me of ELCA’s Jamaine Mann’s, that helps him rise above the rest and alter/block countless shots. O’Neal was a man amongst boys. If he is able to grow a few more inches, watch out. With Maynard Jackson graduating their top three scoring options, I wouldn’t be surprised to see O’Neal grab major minutes from Day 1 alongside 2020 post 6-foot-5 Timpia Ogoun. The two could form one of the best defensive front courts in the area and could blossom together.
Walking out of the gym on Sunday afternoon after a fun day at the HoopSeen Tip-Off, something caught my eye on Court 4. That something was 6-foot-7 2021 forward BJ Wright of Perry High School. Playing with the 16U Middle Georgia Ballers, who don plain all-red uniforms, Wright’s strong build caught my eye and when I found out he was only a freshman this season, I knew I had to stay.
It wasn’t the best litmus test, a 29-point blowout win, but the raw tools were too much to ignore. Wright scored 13 points on a bevy of highlight dunks. Wright plays more on the wing with some trips to the block, giving him elite size at his age and position. He had one nice assist on a pick-and-roll slip which provided a glimpse into what his potential might be.
With all young players, college ball is still in the distant future, but that future will come quick. Wright has the god given body and natural skills to become an interesting prospect. He will need to continue to work on his craft and more importantly, everything else away from basketball. If he can put school first with basketball a close second, it will be very fascinating to see what the narrative is surrounding Wright come 2021.
Henry County height
LayPonius Davis
Coming off of an extremely successful 18-11 campaign with a state playoff berth in Year 1 under Coach BJ Thomas, the War Hawks have even more reason for optimism, and that’s not even taking into account that their top two scorers are set to return. The 2020 class holds two potential breakout candidates on the varsity level in 16U Georgia Impact frontcourt mates 6-foot-6 LayPonius Davis and 6-foot-4 Jeqhuan Carter.
They might not set the world on fire, but they will be usable pieces for Coach Thomas. Davis is a long shot blocker that also posts up well. He will need to get stronger and work on keeping rebounds high, but his size and willingness to run the floor bode well. He had 4 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 3 blocks in a win.
Jeqhuan Carter
Carter is the physical garbage man inside. What Davis might lack in bulk, Carter makes up for with his bullish presence in the paint, most notably on the glass. He collected 15 points and 13 rebounds. Though he doesn’t have the elite leaping ability right now, Carter could provide a similar skill set that ‘17 Kovi Tate brought to the table during Henry County’s 2017 Final 4 run.
Super Smash Bro Kirby
Ja’Queze Kirby
2020 6-foot-6 forward Ja’Queze Kirby isn’t pink and isn’t round, but he can float above the rim just like his video game predecessor. The Class AA First Team All-Stater has long been known for his electric athleticism, but this weekend with 16U Upward Stars SE he showed more than just his hops. Kirby piled in his customary 20 points but drilled four three-pointers in the process. Defensively he moved his feet well and came away with two blocks. Kirby is one of the state’s best prospects and the gem of South Georgia. It’s easy to see how he stuffs stat sheets on a nightly basis at Jeff Davis; it’s harder to understand how he hasn’t received a scholarship offer yet – that will change soon.
15U War Eagles Elite
Derek McDonald
Marist’s 2021 group has some talent moving up the pipeline in the form of 5-foot-11 point guard Luke Benson and 6-foot-2 forward Derek McDonald. Benson is a crafty ball handler with poise and a little cool swagger. He gets some nice elevation on his jump shot and can pull-and-pop from the mid-range. McDonald is the workhorse. Already physically strong and to no surprise a football player, McDonald plays a 3/4 role as one of the tallest players on the team. He uses his strength to his advantage to attack the glass and finish drives. He is a high effort player that likes to stick his nose into the action. He has range to the three-point line but will need to solidify the shot as he gets older to make it a true weapon in his arsenal. He scored 16 points in a 45-43 OT loss.
17U SBC Select impresses
Donell Nixon
Led by 2019 5-foot-9 point guard Donell Nixon (Buford), SBC Select finished their weekend at the HoopSeen Tip-Off 3-0. Nixon scorched nets all tournament, drilling three after three. He nailed five in a win over the Greater NE GA Warriors, where he finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. His passing may have gotten a little overshadowed playing with Lipscomb-signee Alex Jones the past two seasons, but make no mistake, the dynamic dynamo can dish it out. Wofford, East Tennessee State and Rutgers have all shown interest.
Teammate Grant Van Beveren will see an uptick in his recruitment heading into his senior year. The 6-foot-6 post from Chattahoochee is a sturdy big man that knows how to use his body. You can pencil him in for 10+ rebounds a night. Offensively, Van Beveren showed he can knock down the straightaway three and even pull up off the dribble.
Elberton’s Elite
AJ James
Elbert County pieced together a 23-5 record and a trip to the Sweet 16 in Class AA. All-State Honorable Mention 6-foot-3 2019 forward AJ James played a massive role in the Blue Devils’ 9-win increase. James reminds me of current Piedmont Lion and former ’17 Lakeview Academy Lion, Josh Randolph. James is athletic and physical and plays all over the floor for his teams, usually positions 3-5. James bangs inside for the Blue Devils during the regular season, but his wing prowess was on display this weekend with the Greater NE GA Warriors. James posted 11 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks.
I love how he attacks rebounds. Maybe most impressive, is his fearless post defense. James is used to giving up size on a nightly basis and has had wars with 6-foot-7 North Georgia-signee Dylan Orr of Banks County. He had to tussle with big man Grant Van Beveren this weekend and give him fits with his blend of strength and quickness and ability to not foul when denying deep post position. James is a great glue guy that can help teams win on both sides of the ball at multiple positions.
