UGA Team Camp Top Performers
Analysis

UGA Team Camp Top Performers

Antonio Baker2023 6-3 SG Antonio Baker – Johnson-Savannah
Antonio Baker is one of the best players outside of Metro Atlanta. I have seen enough to give him my stamp of approval. Antonio is such a smooth scorer and wildly efficient in transition. He slashes into the lane, hangs in the air, absorbs contact and finishes. His ability to score in traffic is one of his best traits. The high-level finisher is also a playmaker. When he gets in the air, Baker makes good decisions. He’s a willing passer that sees the floor. If for some reason Baker misses a layup, he’s quick off his feet to clean up putbacks. Antonio’s athleticism and leaping ability make him a very effective rebounder and a quality defender that can spring into passing lanes and alter shots inside. Facing Southwest Atlanta Christian who showcased three players 6-foot-6 or taller, Baker sliced up the opposition with 29 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. He scored in a variety of ways, sinking a pair of threes, netting a floater and converting And-1s. I think Baker is on the verge of catching the eyes of D-I programs and should already be a priority for top tier D-II programs.

Malachi Robinson2023 6-4 PF Malachi Robinson – Johnson-Savannah
Listed at 6-foot-4, 265-pounds, Malachi Robinson is an intimidating presence inside. Also a force on the football field, Robinson is an immovable object on the basketball court. But what makes Robinson unique, isn’t his rebounding and ability to bang, it’s his finesse game – his three-point shot. Robinson has a beautiful release with deep range. He’s a true floor stretcher that can pour in three after three if somehow left open. Once teams try to run him off the line, Robinson can show his nimble footwork. Malachi is capable of putting the ball on the floor and can pro hop into the lane to score with a floater.  Robinson sank a pair of threes en route to 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals vs. Southwest Atlanta Christian. While football may be his top option long-term, Robinson is a sneaky good skilled undersized big man that could be effective at a smaller school.

Vonte Newell2024 6-0 PG Vonte Newell – Monroe Area
A true pass-first point guard, Vonte Newell energizes his team with his playmaking and defensive pressure. Newell has been the face of the Hurricane backcourt since freshman season and enters his junior year as an experienced veteran. Vonte is a quick athlete with shifty moves. He’s a creator that likes to attack off the dribble and laser in assists. When he decides to call his own number, Newell will find most of his points on downhill drives, but can occasionally mix in outside shots just enough to keep defenses off balance. Defensively, Newell can provide on-ball pressure the full length of the floor and helps set the tone in Monroe Area’s press. Vonte recorded 4 points, 4 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks in a win over Groves. We know what Newell brings to the table as a player, now it’s up to him to decide whether he can become a leader in the locker room over his final two seasons and lead by example.

2023 6-4 W Mason Etter – Etowah
Playing in front of family, notably older brother current UGA guard Jaxon, Mason put forth an efficient scoring clinic in a 40-30 win over Newton. Etter shot 5-7 from the field, dropping in 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. With high octane D-I point guards Brandon Rechsteiner and Nebraska-commit Chase Clemmons drawing much of the attention, it was Etter that surgically dissected the Newton defense, scoring from multiple levels. Etter hit a pair of mid-range jumpers, scored on a And-1 and dropped in his signature tear drop floaters which have become such a huge part of Etter’s downhill scoring. Mason is an interesting prospect. While he may be a below the rim swingman, Etter’s IQ, savvy scoring touch and defensive toughness give him an identity that will translate well to any level.

2023 6-6 F Cameron Kelly – Buford
I loved what I saw out of Cameron Kelly in the first game of the day. I’ve always appreciated his length, athleticism and motor and on Saturday, he had all three working together in sync. Kelly tallied 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in a loss to Newton. He was a monster on the glass, supplying non-stop effort on both ends of the floor. Kelly scored on four putbacks and also displayed a growing offensive game, turning to face-up out of the post. Kelly would either attack to score or drive baseline and swing the ball to the corner where an open shooter was waiting. Cameron scores overtop with hook shots when scoring inside. Kelly has a lot of tools to work with. His effort and reliability to compete will draw the attention of college coaches.

2023 5-11 PG Ashton Pennamon – Newton
With four starters out, it was Ashton Pennamon’s show. His three-point shooting lifted Newton past Buford, canning 4 threes on his way to 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. Pennamon tends to get over shadowed by his D-I teammates, but there is a reason why Ashton gets to play so much. He’s a good ball handler that knows his role as a set-up man. He gets others involved first before looking for his offense. With so much focus on his teammates, Pennamon can burn teams with his outside shooting. But even when Pennamon was the head of the snake on Saturday, he still managed to lead his team in scoring without losing his identity as a facilitator.

Phillip Baynes2023 6-3 W Phillip Baynes – Social Circle
Petey has taken a huge step forward. He came on strong at the end of last season but now Baynes is a focal point of Social Circle both offensively and defensively. Baynes was the head of the press a year ago, chasing the ball around relentlessly using his athleticism and length to harass opponents. He was terrific in the Elite 8 against Calhoun County, stuffing the stat sheet on both ends of the floor. At UGA, with the Jackson twins sitting out the first half, it was the Petey show as Baynes took over the reins as lead ball handler while still providing his trademark energy on defense. The high motor southpaw found his points in the paint, slashing to the rim. He finished with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in a 46-41 win over McEachern. While his offensive game is improving, what separates Baynes is his mentality. He is a junkyard dog on the floor, a chippy player who will chirp and toe the line of what referees will allow. Baynes takes pride in his toughness and takes to heart the challenge of playing “city boys.”  Expect the three-sport athlete to keep the Redskins in contention for another deep run at state.

AJ Vinson2023 6-6 C AJ Vinson – Social Circle
Another football standout, AJ Vinson is an important piece for Social Circle. When the Redskins turn to their full-court press, it can sometimes limit Vinson’s playing time but when they aren’t playing their helter skelter brand of basketball, it’s AJ who anchors the Redskins inside. Vinson is a big body that sets up shop where he wants. He’s difficult to move off his spots and is athletic and strong enough to rebound in a crowd. While he may not catch any lobs or play above the rim easily, Vinson is still very effective on the block. He powers through contact and is tough to defend with his lefty hooks. Vinson is also capable of stepping outside from time-to-time to hit the open three. The space-eater collected 12 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks against the Class 7A powerhouse.

2025 6-8 PF Amir Taylor – Grayson
After seeing major minutes as a freshman, Amir Taylor is back for Year 2 as punishing big man. Taylor isn’t shy about using his size, a willing banger that will backdown his man and implement shoulder fakes before deciding which way to spin to score. Taylor runs the floor well and has soft hands. He posted 10 points and 6 rebounds vs. Kell, imposing his will on the smaller Longhorns who were without Peyton Marshall.

2024 6-2 CJ Brown – Kell
Kell has gotten a haul in the early stage of the transfer market, landing CJ Brown of Walker as their prized jewel. Brown has blown up over the past year, an electric athlete that can score from anywhere within the arc. CJ explodes to the rim, absorbing contact to convert tough hoops. He’s a stellar athlete that rises above crowds for rebounds and gets major lift on his jump shot. Brown is at his best when attacking the basket. While he does have a pretty jump shot, he did shoot just 12-47 (26%) from three a season ago, but a reason why could be that he had so much success getting to the rim, that it wasn’t a necessity to take and make many threes. Brown went a whopping 147-206 (71%) from the foul line, averaging over 7 free throw attempts a game. Against Grayson on Saturday, Brown tallied 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. It’s easy to see why Georgia Tech, Georgia and New Mexico State among others have offered.