PLAYER EVALS

East Hall Middle School

East Hall is known for having very good basketball and has the history over the years to prove it. Two of the best players in game #1 of the Middle School Showcase played at East Hall Middle School and they showed up and showed out. Jayden Faulkner is a very smooth shooting guard who is always moving without the ball which makes him difficult to guard. He is a VERY good shooter that can score in a variety of ways that range from attacking the paint to mid-range to shooting behind the 3-point line. He compliments other players well and lets the game come to him instead of forcing up bad shots or passes. Jayden is a young man to keep an eye on because he will get bigger, stronger, and faster as he keeps growing which will only continue to improve his game. Brock Gillespie is a kid that I think could play multiple positions and is a very skilled shooter as well. He has a great motor on the defensive end of the floor and will also get in the paint and rebound on both ends of the floor. He was the second leading scorer for his Western team with 11 points. He was only 4 points behind his East Hall teammate Jayden Faulkner who was also the MVP for the game with 15 points. East Hall has a LOT of talent coming up from middle school and this is a high school team that will make some big time runs if they keep all these guys together. The skill level and the heart that both Brock and Jayden play with are phenomenal and there is nothing like kids who will play hard and play together.

Shiloh Middle School

The first time I saw Nivee play live, and he didn’t disappoint with a team high 15 points for the Western squad. Leach is a pure scorer, and he has a nice touch around the basket on passes and on shots and easy deep range well beyond the arc. This kid can really heat up and make shots as evident in the Middle School All Star Game. He shot 50% of his attempts from three during the game. His combination of speed and shooting are his most obvious assets, but they aren’t the only ones as he sees the floor well and his ball handling is VERY good. He’s also an unselfish player and willing passer who already understands how to play in offense in terms of moving the ball and not letting it stick to his hands with useless dribbles. This kid is going to do some BIG things at Shiloh, next to David Pollack in football he’s my new favorite Shiloh student-athlete.

Dacula Middle School

Man, Dacula is LOADED and with guys like Dorian, it’s easy to see why they were such a GREAT team this year in Gwinnett. Dorian has the mentality on defense that every coach wants to see. He’s a natural ballhawk when he’s playing off the ball and he is a Pitbull when he’s guarding the basketball. I feel like Dorian is high school ready in terms of how hard he plays on the defensive end. He competes on both ends of the floor, but I loved seeing how hard he played on the defensive end for an All-Star Game. Dorian scored 12 points and every one of them were contested by a defender, and he still found a way to finish. His aggressive scoring mentality, matches and complements his defense perfectly and he’s only going to grow in other areas. He helped his Dacula team finish the season undefeated and get to the championship where they lost to a very good McConnell team. Dorian is going to be a good rebounder and a great defender with a high steal rate off the ball for anyone coaching him in the future. He really showed what he could do in the Middle School All Star Showcase.

Prince Avenue Christian School

Jarrett Major scored in double figures with 10 points and had another 8 rebounds to go with it and showed why he was the GMSH 2029 Defensive Player of the Year with his stellar defensive performance. This kid is strong and physical enough to guard bigs but also athletic enough to defend guards on the perimeter. Several times during the game he was matched up on multiple players from multiple positions. He can really score in the paint whether it is with offensive putbacks, or different attack moves to the basket. He runs the floor extremely well and has a good I.Q. for the game as well. His bread and butter right now though are his defensive and the rebounding he brings to the table on both ends of the floor. This is a player that isn’t afraid of contact and can play through it.

North Cobb Middle School

Cadien could be one of the best players that we hosted over the years in the boys all star showcases. He scored 29 points, and he shows a lot of flashes of Anthony Edwards in his athletic ability and in all the ways he can score. He’s a long rangy athlete with height and bounce that give him a BIG advantage under the basket. He gets almost every rebound and his second bounce off the floor is extremely quick. Maybe the quickest second hop off the floor that I’ve seen in middle school. He scored 29 points and had three outstanding dunks in the game. It’s hard for me to see a varsity roster that will keep him off the floor as a freshman, he just has that much potential. I love the motor he displayed on both ends of the floor and the repeated gratitude he showed to his teammates. This is a kid you want on your team for reasons other than just he can score baskets. He really LOVES the game of basketball.

Bethlehem Christian Academy

Trenton has made a name for himself on the offensive side of the ball in middle school basketball. One of the top offensive players that I saw this year in terms of getting to the rim consistently. I wondered if he would be able to replicate that same mentality in an All-Star game with bigger, more athletic guards on him BUT he did just that, going to the rim multiple times for a team high 20 points for the Western team. It didn’t matter who was on him he was able to use his frame and his good euro footwork once he got in the paint to create and finish contested lay-ups. He was 2 for 3 from behind the 3-point line and was 100% on the free throw line. Trenton is one of my sleepers in being one of the top middle school scorers that no one knows about. I project that to change as he goes through the next 4 years of high school. He can really score in bunches and will be someone that will score 1000 plus points in high school. Remember that name Trenton Taylor.

KIPP East Middle School

KIPP is a program that has some good talent in it playing out of that APS League. Bradley Anthony is another guard that is a talented scorer and is good in transition. His basketball mind is always thinking one play ahead and in an All-Star game with lots of talent and no one truly running plays his thought process is an asset. He is a walking bucket in transition but is very good in the half court on offense as well as defense. His steals helped him to score 12 points in getting an early jump on the passing lane and running the floor to finish. He can finish through contact and shoots the ball well from behind the 3-point line. Bradley Anthony will be another great middle school player from KIPP EAST that goes up and makes a big impact on the varsity level. He can do a lot of things well and will only get better in the off-season and pre-season.

Drew Charter School

Another really good player from the APS who came in scored 11 points and at one point had scored 6 unanswered points. Lee Jr. is a player with a good skill set, constant motor, and he has the athleticism I always wanted in middle school. He plays determined like he’s playing for someone other than himself and competes regardless of which end of the floor he is playing on. He’s very willing to get after it defensively, whether he’s guarding the ball or playing help defense. I like how he wasn’t afraid to rebound against bigger players from the Eastern team and he played with a passion that said, I LOVE BASKETBALL. I really like this Jacorey Lee Jr. player from Drew Charter School.

Lake Oconee Academy

Canon is an absolute SHOOTER. This kid can light it up from behind the 3-point line and that’s not just from watching his All Star Game but watching him warm up before the game. He has great shot mechanics, and his size and length will be BIG problems as he continues to grow and get stronger. Canon is another kid who loves this game and plays hard on both ends. You can tell he’s a coach’s kid. His I.Q. is very evident in how he plays the game and he’s going to be a coach on the floor for his varsity coach for the next 4 years. I love that even though Canon is a shooter he looks to make the right play not the play that will allow him to force a bad shot. His game reminds me of Mike Dunleavy Jr. who also could fill it up but made the right play not the cool play. Canon has been great the last 2 years in the middle school all star game but he’s trending up and will make for one of the top players to ever play at Lake Oconee Academy.

McConnell Middle School

Kayden showed examples of why he was one of the top players in a very deep and talented Gwinnett Middle School Basketball League this past season. He dropped a very cool 18 points and he did it in multiple ways. He can get to the basket off the dribble drive, he can shoot, he can run the floor and attack in transition, and he plays well off the ball or with the ball in his hands. He’s a guy you can isolate and run a lot of NBA plays to when you need a bucket. His defense is incredible especially in transition as he’s a guy that can come out of a 2 on 1 or 3 on 2 without needing the advantage in numbers. Kayden is going to be a great high school player and you can tell by the way he understands the game and the personnel on the court with him.

Henderson Middle School

First time I got to see Ashdon Sims in person and this kid can shoot that light out of the basketball. LOVE how hard he plays regardless of the score and he plays hard on both ends. I never saw this kid take a play off. He was a high-volume rebounder and strong finisher in helping his eastern team get the win. He can elevate through traffic to both go get the ball off the glass and he can also finish at the rim. This kid is also a defensive playmaker who can generate lots of steals. I love the versatility and mobility of Ashdon Sims.

Greater Atlanta Christian School

I’m a HUGE Baer Bailey fan, I think this kid is going to be special. He’s got the size and length on his frame and his game is much like a very smooth guard. I think he’s going to transfer very well to the high school game, and I really think he’ll have a chance to play beyond high school. His offensive game has really developed over the years that I’ve watched him play. Shout out to Coach Rodney Pierre for turning me onto this kid a few years back. His work ethic is there as well, as he keeps adding muscle over the next 4 years, I see him being special. He showed in the All-Star Showcase that he can slide his feet and defend guards on the perimeter when put in pick and roll situations, even in lots of open space. He’s also capable of running the floor exceptionally well, with fast and powerful strides and he will finish with a lot of great moves. He’s also a good shooter faced up to the basket and can flat out KNOCK DOWN shots with consistency.

Dalton Middle School

I’ve seen a lot of footage over the season of Jayden but seeing his footage and seeing him live are two different things. He is a very good point guard who reads the floor well and gets the ball where it needs to be but also scores the ball well. He scored 11 points for his team but had 9 assists with 6 of them being in transition and he had a pass that I thought was the best pass I saw all day. His ascension and potential are both trending up in my opinion and I could see him leaving Dalton High School with the assist record and being a 1000-point scorer with the ball in his hand a lot as a point guard. With ball handling and playmaking he checks a lot of boxes as the point guard. I love his consistent motor for someone who is in middle school and I’m excited to follow Jayden over the next 4 years.

Brighten Academy

Khari was our MVP in Game #3 with a 14-point performance which included 2 for 2 from behind the 3-point line. He shoots the ball well from the outside and has a good handle with both combination moves and change of pace in transition. I love that he is always in attack mode on offense and plays very well on the ball defense and off the ball defense. He scored from multiple levels, and even initiated the offense some in the half court as well. He’s got a strong body that allows him to be a rebounding guard and he can guard bigger, more physical guards as well.

Washington Wilkes Middle School

One of the most intriguing players of the day for me because I had only heard of Wylie but not seen him play in person yet. He didn’t disappoint and this kid dropped 23 points and showed a barrage of weapons. His best weapon is he has a SMOOTH pull up jump shot off the dribble. He can elevate and hang in the air against bigger longer guards. His ball handling is incredible and he’s a great on the ball defender. I’ll take this kid on my team at the local YMCA any day of the week. He’s a shot-maker like Dwayne Wade was with a full assortment of threes, pull-ups, and step-backs. This kid is comfortable with the ball in his hand or playing off it with his naturally explosive athletic movements. If he lived in a bigger basketball area like Gwinnett EVERYONE would know his name. I’m a huge fan and huge believer of Kenderzous after seeing him play live.

Burney Harris Middle School

Thanks to Jeremiah Colbert of the Georgia C.A.V.S. for turning me onto Tyler. This kid can absolutely play and he’s a local product of Athens. He dropped 23 points for his western team and I love how hard he plays. He’s very comfortable in multiple areas including the mid-post and mid-range areas where he was creating separation and using his positional size to score over top of smaller players. I love how he can get downhill to the basket when he has the ball in his hands. I felt like he played with good speed regardless of the situation he was in. He can initiate contact and draw fouls and finish with consistency. I see Tyler with a very good future with the ability and work ethic that I saw in him.

King Middle School

Welch is a very good shooter and excels in scoring the ball. Rico LOVES to play defense and brings a lot of value to any team he plays on the defensive end of the floor. Welch can handle the ball, and showed a lot of different scoring moves to his game. He is definitely going to be an all around solid player at the next level. As a ball-handler and when attacking the paint Rico was able to finish with either hand and he dropped a game high 16 points to give him the MVP for Game #4 on the day.

Hebron Christian Academy

I saw Landon Crews on numerous occasions this year for HCA and I love his ability to shoot and he can shoot from everywhere on the court. This guard is going to be a very good player for a HCA boys program that is stockpiling talent. Landon showed at the All Star Showcase just why he is a very versatile combo guard with great speed, mobility and skill. During his season, he used his speed to become one of the top defensive players on his HCA team. Landon is mobile and consistently runs the floor with and without the ball. He plays with energy and competes on both ends. He has terrific quickness and vision, plus a work ethic that coaches absolutely love to have in their players.

Chestnut Log Middle School

Donovin is a VERY Athletic/Versatile guard/small forward whose biggest value is on the defensive end due to WORK ethic, Basketball IQ, athleticism and instincts. Tremendous defensive upside and what he also hangs his hat on is offensive versatility. He has outstanding vision for all positions on the floor; his best attribute on offense is playing off the ball. He transitions well on both ends of the court and is always the first player to the other end of the court on both ends-offense/defense.

Feagin Middle School

Keelyn is a very good offensive and defensive player and showed up and really showed out on both ends of the floor. He’s a kid that can get a defensive stop then quickly run the floor in transition. His offensive game was NICE as he was a perfect 2 for 2 from behind the 3-point line and had 6 layups with 4 of them being finished in transition while being contested. He finished with a 18 point team high for the western team with an overtime win. He was able to get two key stops on offensive players in the last possessions of the game. He is very efficient in the pull up jump shots or the step back when he’s shooting off the dribble.

Dacula Middle School

Case is a scoring guard with a flair for playing offense, especially with the basketball in his hand. He’s never seen a drive to the basket that he can’t finish. I love his offensive mentality and the belief he has in himself as a basketball player. He scored 21 points with 12 of those in a row. He was a huge part of Dacula Middle School being so good this past season and making a championship run. This kid excels making shots that seem to have a high degree of difficulty. He's like a modern-day Harry Potter on the basketball court with the magic he creates with the ball in his hands. I love his shiftiness, his explosiveness, his speed, and the length he brings to the position. This is a kid who is trending right into the off-season and travel basketball.

Dacula Middle School

Gilmore-Byrd is the middle school version of Damian Lillard, he will pull up and shoot the basketball from anywhere. He has great range and loves the ball in his hands in the big moments as evident when he tied the game up as time ran out with a LONG three. He can shake his defender with crossovers and get into the paint or he can facilitate getting other players involved. He plays with the scoring mentality every possession but that doesn’t mean he won’t put the ball where it needs to be with a pass given the opportunity. It was easy to spot how assertive he was on offense in this game especially in transition. Gilmore-Byrd is another really good player out of that Dacula Cluster that will be a very good high school player.

Ashworth Middle School

I love this size and frame on this kid, and he reminds me of a middle school version of Grayson Allen. He’s so athletic but also has the frame to finish around the rim in the paint. He’s a 3-tier scorer and his defense is SOLID. He’s another player that can guard a big and then switch on the screen and roll and guard a perimeter player. He was outstanding on the boards using his size and athleticism to get inside of taller post players to finish off offensive rebounds or start the break with a defensive board. He scored 10 points with 6 rebounds, and this is a name to keep an eye on for that 2024-25 season. I see him only getting better and trending up as he continues to work on his skills.

Harvester Middle School

Jatta was probably one of the players this year in middle school basketball in my mind although he plays on the varsity team at his school. He’s a small forward in the sense that he can handle the ball but also get to the rim. For his size he has terrific floor-vision which literally makes the game easier for his teammates on offense as well as on the defensive end. He has all types of scoring moves in his bag – he can play out of ball-screens well, is strong enough to post up defenders, has great pace in transition, very good at penetrating to the paint at any time, able to finish through contact, use his strength to guard multiple positions, and a very defender as well as moving without the basketball. He has a high school ready frame and used it to score 42 points in game #7 as he secured the MVP of the game. Defensively, he has the physical tools and mental approach that should both translate. I love what I’ve seen of him in the All Star Showcase as well as in some previous NGS events.

Grace Snell Middle School

Jace had a great showing on Saturday as he dropped in 18 points and showed why he’s an explosive offensive player in the 2029 class. Jace is a well-built, explosive athlete who has a very well-rounded and versatile offensive game. I’ve seen him primarily as a slasher who can both finish and dish the ball off to open teammates when the help comes. VERY HIGH quality rebounder for position and versatile defender being able to guard multiple positions. He should be one of the top 8th graders in the Gwinnett Middle School Basketball League next year.

Hebron Christian Academy

I’ve seen David multiple times this year and he’s been the same player consistently every time that I’ve seen him play. He is a competitor that plays hard from the beginning to the end of the game. He’s an exceptional rebounder and is about as quick into his second hop off the floor as you're going to see. I love him on the defensive end of the floor because he can switch and guard so many different positions. He dropped in 12 points on the western team in game #6 by doing the work in the paint that lots of players don’t want to do. Although he isn’t exceptionally tall he has very good length that compliments the motor he competes with as well as his athletic ability. Very solid and sturdy player that can play low to the ground and move good laterally. He’s another player that played through contact. Again, I love his defense and the defensive prowess to defend multiple positions.

Grace Snell Middle School

This 2029 combo guard can give you buckets especially attacking off the dribble or he can pass if he needs to. What I love about his game that I’ve seen this year and at the middle school all star showcase is his transition defense. He’s like a magnet to stealing this ball in transition. He’s very quick and gets so low to the ground that it’s hard to break him down off the dribble with moves and counter moves. I like his outside shot as well, in watching him shoot he has good mechanics. He scored 12 points for his western team and was very smooth in his finishing as well as his shooting. He can guard the ball where he’s a lockdown type of player or he’s a very good defender at jumping the passing lanes. He had a great showing in the all-star showcase and I think he’s going to be one of the best returning defenders in the Gwinnett Middle School League next year.

Piney Grove Middle School

Eli Tu was my surprise player of the day; I knew he was very good but what he came and did was incredible. He dropped 27 points and 8 assists on the way to being the MVP for his western team. His assists and the way he shares the ball reminds me of Steve Nash, he’s a GREAT teammate. He hit (3) 3’s that looked like they were dropped right down from the sky and touched nothing but the bottom of the net. He’s a very skilled, quick to process and efficient point guard whose most obvious value at the high school level will be as a facilitator that can SCORE when he needs to. He will be someone that if you can space the floor and let him use his efficient ball handling your offense will eat buckets. He can play in unstructured environments like all-star showcases, and I can just tell he’s a kid that can play in structure as well. He doesn’t force things on offense and he’s dangerous in transition because he plays with a high IQ, understands spacing, and values not turning over the ball.

Thrive Christian Academy

Gaines is a 6’1 SF/PF out of Henry County and I really like this kid. His potential is through the roof. He can run, jump, defend, rebound, and pass. He’s a good player but has a high ceiling with lots of growth still there so I see him being very good at the next level. I can tell he’s a kid that is in the gym training because he does everything decent to well. There just aren't a lot of things this 2028 forward can’t do. He scored a nice 14 points for his eastern team and they were all in the paint getting that work done attacking the basket and the defense. He’s going to earn points as a young player with his shot blocking ability. He has length and quickness off his feet that allow him to block lots of shots inside. He’ll be a fun player to watch in high school because he’ll be dunking in transition with the height, length and jumping ability he’ll have. I’m high on Kelstin Gaines and where he’s going.

Morgan County Middle School

Bashun, also known as Trey, really did well for himself at the all-star showcase. He put in 16 points and showed why he was selected and one of the better players in his middle school league this year. He’s a Versatile player who can be your secondary ball handler if you need his role to be coming off the ball scoring, but he can score and create regardless of whether he has the ball in his hands or comes off the ball. Has smooth shot with ability to hit shots off the catch and pull from both midrange and three. Also has an impressive touch on floaters. Changes speeds well and I love his bounce. He plays hard on both sides of the floor and doesn’t force unnecessary plays or shots. Trey showed his versatility on offense and defense and showed why he’s an asset to any team he plays on. He can play multiple roles and positions and will be a player to keep an eye on moving forward.

Carver Middle School

I’m a huge fan of the basketball played at Carver and a huge fan of the Maurkez played in the all star showcase. He dropped 10 points and he plays so hard. Significant upside with how hard he plays and how well he defends and turns his defense to offense. Athletic guard/wing with good speed and good athleticism. Easily should be able to play both point and shooting guard at the high school level where he’ll play in a very good Monroe high school program. Smooth stroke with ability to hit threes off the catch and pull. More of a dribble drive to the basket kind of scorer though than a 3 point specialist especially with his quick first step and great touch around the basket. Has multi-positional defensive upside.

Druid Hills Middle School

Phillip was another player that I hadn’t seen play live but he didn’t disappoint with the motor he plays with on both ends of the floor. Phillip can score at multiple levels, he’s very active defensively, and his ability to rebound in high volumes is incredible. He’s got great positional strength with a linebacker like frame, but he has soft hands around the basket and finishes through contact with finesse when he needs to. He has a very advanced inside game with an ability to just get in the paint and finish. He was a player that I loved to watch because he never settles for tough jump shots, he always went downhill getting the paint for finishes around the rim. I loved his straight-line driving style that didn’t eat up a lot of dribbles. He’s also a capable shooting threat from mid-range and beyond. Physically, he has a strong frame that as he continues to grow is going to be a nightmare to get your shoulders in front of while guarding him. You’ll have to be as strong as Phillip and like contact to get in front of him while playing defense. He never gets bumped off his drives offensively because he’s that strong of a driver. In terms of defense he has the ability to body up with bigger players in the post or he can switch and defend guards. I’m a huge fan of Phillip and can’t wait to see how he keeps progressing.

Coile Middle School

Amarion Lay went off in the last game of the day with 22 points and this kid is going to be a great one for Cedar Shoals. He has a lot of Athens in his game, reminds me of some of the very good basketball players to come from the courts of Athens, Georgia. He plays with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder but with a LOT of passion for the game. Amarion has good length, can play either guard spot as well as either forward spot and shows significant GRIT on the defensive end. A score-first player, he can put his team on his back as a bucket getter. He will go get BUCKETS! I loved how hard he played carrying his team to 78 points and the win. He is more than comfortable driving and getting to the rim and he’s not afraid to finish with his man in front of him and another defender helping. Ultimately, I really think Amarion is going to be a very good player and he was superb in the all star showcase on both ends of the floor. There is no doubt he can score, and the defense is certainly there.

Russell Middle School

Has great size (length) and very good jumping ability. Plays powerfully in traffic while elevating to the rim but can use finesse finishing moves like floaters to finish over defenders. Loves to get to the rim but can't score shooting the ball from mid-range or further. Can distribute but is a scorer first. I love his defending and rebounding and he’s very good when leading the break. Has great footwork and is very good at finishing. One of the better shot blockers that I saw this season, he does a great job timing his jump and going and getting the ball.

East Jackson Middle School

I’ve seen Jalen play this year and he was a lock to be picked for the all star showcase. Tremendous athletic ability and a solid build for a middle school player. Has good length and he’s very effective in traffic and plays through contact. This kid is a great rebounder and loves to run the floor in transition and finish the play. He also sees the floor well enough to distribute, although scoring is his definite strength. Great defensive presence on the ball, in the passing lane and in help.

Dove Creek Middle School

The first time I’ve seen Shed play live and I LOVE this kid. He’s very athletic and is going to be good as he develops more basketball experience. I loved his competitive attitude and how hard he played EVERY possession. He had a team high 14 points with (2) 3’s and this kid can finish through contact. He can defend multiple positions and he is strong enough and athletic enough to finish through contact. His ability to play through contact reminds me of North Oconee starter Khamari Brooks. Shed is a kid who wants to guard the best player and isn’t afraid to have the ball in his hands regardless of who’s guarding him. I loved watching him play and the direction he’s going up.

Hilsman Middle School

Jay Nash was just what he showed me during the season, and he never disappoints in how hard he plays in the paint. Scoring 12 points all inside and getting 10 rebounds gave him a double double for the western team. This true power forward has good size and is a highly skilled player in the paint. He’s a very smooth athlete in his body movements. Has the frame to fill out nicely as he continues to grow and get stronger. I felt like he showed nice foot quickness in moving in the paint not only in the all-star game but in the regular season. He’s not slow footed like a lot of true post players in middle school. Has a complete power forward skill set with good basketball IQ and I feel like he’s also got good court vision as a post passer. For a Big he also was seen Passing well off the dribble. HIGH Quality rebounder on both ends and his body can take contact and deliver it. Can improve as a defender. Tremendous middle school post talent with huge upside.

Otwell Middle School

Grace Barnes is an incredible post player that uses the basketball I.Q. of a point guard to put separation between her and the other post players I’ve seen this year. I like her passing skills as well as how she ran the floor, and her rebounding is going to get her lots of high school playing time. I thought Grace really propelled her stock by showing she had been the game’s MVP with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Dacula Middle School

Ja’Nyrie Robinson is the best guard no one talks about. This girl can flat out play, and she excels in so many areas that it would take an essay to cover all the parts of her game that are trending up. Her handles are some of the bests I’ve seen in middle school by any player EVER. Her court speed allows her to blow by defenders at will and when she gets to the basket, you can forget it because she is a FINISHER. Michigan State had a player named Mateen Cleaves back in the early 2000’s and I couldn’t help but think how much Ja’Nyrie’s game reminded me of his. For a middle school guard, she plays like professional by leaving it all on the court. If there is a loose ball, she’s on the floor after it, a true point guard who’s not afraid to get in the paint and rebound. Where she is scary good is in TRANSITION. She’s a nightmare to stop coming downhill at the defense and she has the skill and the ability to put you on your heels like you’re on skates. Although I didn’t rank her as such in the preseason rankings, Robinson is one of the top 2028 guards in this state.

Dacula Middle School

Sarah Allen is the BEST 2029 player that you’ve never heard of, she hasn’t been playing basketball long, but she is an incredible player. She dropped 13 points and that was recognizable but her length, athleticism, and the speed vertically and up and down the court was outstanding. She can be the scorer every time down or she blends in well, being the second option depending on the line up. I love this post and she’s one to keep an eye on, she’s going places. This 2029 could be the best player in the Gwinnett Middle School league next year and she’ll be a tough match up in the 2024 Championship game as her Dacula Middle School team takes on Bay Creek.

Hendricks Middle School

Ana Anzola continues to be an offensive machine; she went 2 for 2 from the 3-point line and scored 13 points in the game. She’s had a stellar year and I think she’s on her way to being a 1000-point scorer in high school. Her offensive game will just continue to grow and get better as she works in the offseason and preseason. I’ve loved her demeaner and court maturity since seeing her in the fall at the Elite 48 and following her through middle school season. I love that as good as a shooter as she is, she doesn’t just stand flat footed on the 3-point line. She’ll use a shot fake and get past her defender to attack that paint. She’s no slouch on defense as she moves well and uses her voice to help defend.

Gainesville Middle School

continues to get better each time I see her play. She can attack with very good handles, but she can cook outside the 3-point line. She went 3 for 3 from 3-point range and scored 11 points on the day. Jaucelyn could really be the point/shooting guard of the future for Gainesville. With her ability to score I think it’s very likely that she will reach 1000 points in her career and with her ability to see the floor and her basketball I.Q. I think she will see the court early in her varsity career. She can score with the best of them, but her quickness and mobility allow her to be an incredible on ball defender. Her speed allows her to get in passing lanes when she’s off the ball, but her work ethic is one thing that will set her apart from players with equal skillsets.

Dove Creek Middle School

Kallie Mashburn has feasted in these games over the years and for this North Oconee bound player this year was no different. She dropped 24 points and easily had double digits in rebounds. With the height she has grown since I last saw her in late 2023, she is like a small forward with the skills of a point guard. She’s going to be a nightmare at the high school level in terms of matchups. She’ll be able to defend multiple positions, but it will be impossible for multiple positions to defend her. Her ability to make the right play almost every time on the offensive or defensive end of the floor says a lot of her basketball I.Q. and the heart and hustle, she plays with is just inspiring to any gym rat that watches her play (like me). Any coach could build a winning team/program around Kallie Mashburn.

Carrollton Middle School

Harlow is one of the best 2029 guards that I don’t think people know enough about. Her handles are some of the bests in the state and her change of pace is unmatched. She can stop on a dime or take off like a rocket. She can hang in the hair and finish as her defender goes back to the floor. She is a NIGHTMARE running the pick and roll, she’s almost unstoppable because she can shoot outside but also blow by the double team, the switch and through the hedge. Her athleticism reminds me of an NBA athlete, she scored 12 points on an outmanned team based on some late switches, but she had double digit steals in a game that was played on a running clock. She might have been the player that has to be moved way up in that 2029 class after seeing her play.

Champion Theme Middle School

Kamaya finished in the Top 5 for Defensive Player of the Year in what was a very close race but her on the ball defensive presence showed up and showed out. She also scored 7 points but whomever coaches her down the road is getting one of the best lockdown defenders in her class. The movements that she makes laterally is a nightmare on any ball handler trying to get to the paint. She’s like a one-man full court press in the way she uses her quickness and her tenacity on defense. I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t wind up being one of the top guards in the state before it’s over. She has a lot of things you just can’t teach.

Factory Shoals Middle School

This was the first time I’d been able to see these two sisters play because of the distance. They were the best siblings I’ve seen play since Rachel and Rebekah Machovec. They play like the grew up in the local YMCA and when I mean they play they PLAY. They run the floor, they cut to the basket, they defend, they can both shoot, they finish at the rim, and they could easily go to the varsity level and make an instant impact because of their body type. They are both physically strong and can take the contact from a junior or senior. If I’m a college coach I’m putting their names on a sticky note and keeping up with them over the next 4 years. I know that I will. Aleigha dropped 18 points while her sister Gabrielle dropped 14 points on her own. Many of their baskets came from assists to each other in transition. KEEP AN EYE ON THE PARISH SISTERS!!! #WeareFAMILY

White County Middle School

I love these two teammates that played on opposite teams, but each went for 9 points. You can tell their practices were very good because fundamentally they were as good as it gets. They box out on every shot attempt, they crash the boards on every shot, they outlet and then run the floor and they both can knock down shots when they need to in the paint or from behind the 3-point line. They play every defensive position like it’s their last and they don’t back down from anyone regardless of size or speed. Keep your eyes on both girls from White County and that White County girls middle school program. Bailey Collins and Bree Brookshire are going places that only work ethic can take you. #BLUECOLLER

Hebron Christian Academy

I absolutely love the way every single time I see this kid play she has gotten better. I can tell she’s put in the time on her footwork, it is NICE. Saw her use some up and under moves early in the game and she runs the court very well for a middle school post. Although I think she’s more of a face up to the basket stretch 4 or even a 3 before it’s all said and done, she probably gets plugged in the paint because of height and strength right now. Her game reminds me of a female version of Pau Gasol/Kevin Garnett. She can do so many things fluently in the paint or face up to the rim. She dropped 14 points and that was with passing the ball to open teammates very unselfishly in an all-star game. I think Jan Azar of Hebron will really build her into a superstar at the high school level because with her size, ability, and desire she’ll only get better.

Washington Wilkes

My gosh I didn’t know Washington Wilkes went at it in basketball like that. Myasia is a player that probably gets overlooked just being in a small town BUT her game is BIG TIME. She can get after it, and I love her attack mode on the offensive end of the floor. She has the height, attack mentality and perfect mindset to be a big-time playmaker at the high school level. For someone I’d never seen play only heard about I was thoroughly impressed with that I saw as she scored 11 points on her team.

Malcom Bridge Middle School

Sydney to me had a NICE breakout game with 20 points and she did it in a lot of ways that I’ve never seen her score. She showed inside and outside brilliance in her offensive game. She hit the boards and made the right pass and right play when called upon. This kid who is also another North Oconee bound player is going to be incredible as she keeps working on all the facets of her game. It’s in her DNA to be tall and she moves well for her height especially in transition where she can draw defensive matchups that will favor her around the glass. Sydney showed in an MVP performance what the next 4 years of high school could be like for anyone guarding her on defense.

Dove Creek Middle School

Avery continued in the All-Star game with the season she had as she went 3 for 3 from behind the 3-point line and had 7 assists to go with her 11 points. She is a very smart player who is like a microwave on offense, she can hit up instantly at any time and go on runs of 3’s to stretch out the lead. She passed on a lot of open shots to give the ball up to other players so they could get better shots. Another North Oconee bound guard who could see playing time early with her ability to do so many things especially shoot them ball and run the floor.

Champion Theme Middle School

I’m becoming a huge fan of Champion Theme; they must have a basketball class at their middle school that is taught daily by Dawn Staley. This young lady jumped in and showed off incredible finishing at the rim, attacked the bigger and longer defenders and I mean went right at them going to the rim. She showed some great moves where the footwork looked more natural than taught. She chipped in 11 points but also had double digits in rebounding and didn’t shy away from guarding posts or guards. I love her game and wouldn’t be surprised to see her have a tremendous spring and summer to become a name widely talked about heading into the 2024-25 season.

White County Middle School

White County really showed up this past Saturday and Ansleigh was one who brought her A game on offense. She chipped in 13 points and shot the ball well from a lot of places. She had a LOT of well-played hustle plays where she got a tip or deflection that led to something good for her team. She is another heart and hustle player that just puts everything she has on the floor. I would take someone with her heart to start on my team any day of the week. This kid can score but she’s going to also play hard on that defensive end on and off the ball.

Dove Creek Middle School

Leah Pollack is one of the most improved players that I’ve seen in such a short amount of time. What she did in this all-star game compared to last year’s all-star game is incredible. She dropped 21 points and looked like the All-Star of All Stars…. She can score from a lot of different levels. She was getting lay-ups in transition, making moves to blow by defenders, rebounding and getting offensive put backs, she was 2 for 2 from behind the 3-point line as well. It was just a barrage of anything she wanted to do on offense. The ability of Leah to come so far in such a short amount of time is scary and phenomenal at the same time. Look out for her in high school as she continues to get bigger and stronger as well as polishing off her game. Another player that is going to be just a complete matchup nightmare. Well deserved MVP for Leah Pollack.

Dove Creek Middle School

Andi Boyer goes 5 for 6 from behind the 3-point line and scores a layup in transition to drop 17 total points in what was an incredible showing by a 2030 guard playing up against girls 1-2 grade older than her. This kid has great ball handling skills and using that with her court vision to slice up the defenses. Before they can figure out where the ball is going, she is one play ahead of them with the pass or the shot. She does everything you want your point guard to do and shoots it like you want your shooting guard to. Growing up watching a lot of Duke games I compare her game to Bobby Hurley. She has that kind of temperament, I.Q., and ability to put the ball in the basket. I kept telling myself watching her play and then perform in the 3-point shooting contest that she has 2 more years of middle school. OH MY!!!

Washington Wilkes Middle School

Samaria Young was able to get to the basket by creating her own shots and finished strong around the basket when she got to the rim. Another really good player from Washington Wilkes who came and dropped 13 points and got 9 rebounds for her team. Samaria can switch on most screens because of her ability to guard multiple positions. She can step out and hit the 3 ball also although she only took one attempt she did make it. Another player from a smaller town but she has a BIG-TIME game to her.

Bunche Middle School

This kid can play, and she can play offense but especially defense. She averaged almost 10 steals a game in the APS League on a team that also won the ship. I think she’s one of the best on and off the ball defenders that I’ve seen this year and especially at the All-Star Showcase. She’s married to her to the fact that she won’t take ANY plays off on defense. She scored 10 points in the game with 6 steals and 3 assists. She was also named the 2028 Defensive Player of the Year by Georgia Middle School Hoops. Although her team didn’t win it wasn’t because of her defensive intensity.

Chapel Hill Middle School

This was my first-time seeing Jaida and she dropped in 12 points and was very impressive in her finishing in transition and she hit some TOUGH shots with some good defenders on her. Jaida showed why that Chapel Hill team is widely regarded as one of the top programs in the state. She played hard on defense and hit the glass giving her team multiple chances on the offensive end of the floor.

Providence Christian Academy

Talk about this REAL Post Malone, he was in the gym at Prince Avenue not singing but cooking on Saturday, February 10th. This kid can score and when he gets going it’s something to see. He can score from anywhere and at anytime on the floor. I love watching good middle school boys’ basketball and watching Mason Malone on offense is good boys’ basketball. He scored 24 points and put his body on the line as he finished through some major contact on several of his drives. He hit 2 three pointers that went through the next without touching anything. His other 18 points miraculously came from the paint and that’s not something you see from someone in an all-star game. He blended in with his teammates and just went to work with floaters, lay ups, jumpers, and reverse layups. I will be shocked if Mason doesn’t step right into the varsity level as a freshman next year. His offensive game is READY, and he proved it by winning MVP against a great roster and with a great roster.

Commerce Middle School

I LOVE Bryson Parks, this kid has a varsity game and a varsity body already. It’s not every day you see someone from the Football School of Commerce have the basketball game that Bryson has. This young and dropped 19 points and probably had closed to 12 rebounds and was just a monster on defense especially when he was helping on the ball in the paint. Although he is a big kid he plays with a lot of guard in his game. He reminds me a lot of what a 13-year-old LeBron James would have looked and played like. As his size and skill level keep growing and coordinating themselves together, he’s going to be a real problem. He’s a problem already but this kid can really rewrite some record books at Commerce where he could be a BIGGER BETTER version of Michael Collins on the basketball court and the football field.

Banks County Middle School

I love to watch this 2028 Combo guard play and although he only had 5 points on Saturday this kid is going to break and set a LOT of records at Banks County. He’ll pass up a shot to get someone else a better shot in a heartbeat. When he drives, he does so with his head up peripherally to see all the options on where the help is coming from NOT just charging towards the basket for a shot that may be forced. His ability to make passes that no one else sees coming reminds me of my all-time favorite passer Jason White Chocolate Williams. Cason was dropping some great dimes that helped his team mount a double-digit comeback that was ignited with some of his great transition passes to open teammates for great finishes. Don’t be fooled though, this kid can shoot the rock too and the deeper the shot the more he likes to knock it down.

Rabun County Middle School

I’ve been a fan of Trace Adcock for quite some time now. This is a kid that is like a Swiss army knife on this court, he can do so many things and he does all of them well. I love his 3-point shot and he will light you up if you don’t run him off the 3-point line as he poured in 13 points on Saturday, but he also defended well in the half court as help facilitate the transition in which his team scored a LOT of baskets. For his size and shooting ability he passes extremely well. If I’m a pure scorer I’m trying to go wherever he’s playing at to play with him. That’s how much I like this game. I think he’ll be one of the most prolific scorers and passers to ever play at Rabun County High School before he graduates but he’s got another year of middle school as he’s only a 2029. I can’t wait to see how he improves over the spring and summer as he works on his game in the off-season and preseason. Cord Burrell is the other half of this Rabun tandem who bring the size and strength and balances out what Trace does with SOLID inside play. He rebounds, he defends, he gets the ball inside and works and perfect inside out game for perimeters shooters and he just compliments good guard play well with his selflessness inside. These two are going to make a great duo and they are young so like I say with every middle school player(s) they are only going to get better as the continue to play and grow. Rabun is in good hands over the next 5 years in boys basketball with these two coming up.

Calhoun Middle School

I’ve heard a LOT of Athens Davenport but seeing him play live and in person doesn’t do this 2029 Calhoun Middle School player justice. He’s built like a 7th grade version of Brock Bowers and that comes in handy on his finishes at the rim. He can drive it through the contact, or he can shoot from outside. He can defend multiple positions and he chipped in 12 points in his teams come from behind win. He has barely scratched the surface of where he can go with basketball and as he continues to play high level travel basketball for the Young Buckets, I only see him getting his game more and more polished. His size, speed and strength are going to take him a lot of places and as he adds more and more to his skillset the sky will be the limit. I think he could possibly be one of the Top players in the country for that 2029 class. Heading into next basketball season he’ll more than likely be one of my top 1 or 2 players in that 2029 class. That’s how high I am on the game I see in Athens Davenport.

Jefferson Middle School

I love Owen Hodges game and every team NEEDS an Owen Hodges. This kid is sneaky good, and he always finds a way to be in the right place at the right time. He can shoot it and has a great looking shot mechanically. I watched him make hustle player after hustle play on Saturday. He’s a solid defender and runs the floor every single time without taking any plays off.

Harvester Christian Academy, 6’ 2”

Bryson Jatta is a man amongst boys in the games I saw him play. This kid is STRONG and comes downhill to the rim on almost every single drive to the basket. If I walk into L.A. Fitness this is someone, I don’t want to guard but I want on my team. He was incredible at penetrating the paint no matter who guarded him, and he could get to the rim anytime he wanted whether it was in transition or in the half court. He played a lot like the Oklahoma Thunder version of Russell Westbrook because he could score, pass, and rebound at a high level. In a setting where he plays a long portion of the game, he’d easily be a walking triple double. In my opinion he was one of the better slashers at this combine. When he wasn’t slashing to the basket, he was showing his 3-point shooting ability. He did compete in the 3-point competition and although he didn’t win, he did hit 11 3’s. He was also named to the Elite 60 All-Star Team which is a huge accomplishment when you’re in a building with this much talent in it.

Hebron Christian Academy, 5’ 10”

Blaze Johnson is one of my favorite players in a DEEP 2028 class. This kid can flat out go. The quickness he uses to blow past defenders is just special and his processing of what he sees reminds me of the saying, he’s playing chess while the defenders are playing checkers. Hebron Christian is going to have one of the TOP guards in the state in the next couple of years because Blaze is only going to get better. I have him ranked 3rd right now for 2028 players in the state of Georgia but he could easily rise to #1 before the 2023-24 season is over. He displayed a lot of grit in attacking, rebounding, and very versatile defense by guarding a lot of different players. He’s able to switch screens with his ability to guard multiple positions. The thing I think he does better than any other player is he can be the lead scorer, or he can play off the lead scorer. His demeanor is very calm and cool as well, you never see him get rattled by what’s going happening on the court. While Blaze isn’t a fly under the radar guy I think he continued to help himself by having another good showing against GREAT competition.

Statesboro Middle School, 5’ 7”

I thought Skyler showed up and showed out. Skyler Bostic, much like Blaze, doesn’t fly under the radar, but I wondered what he’d do with the talent in the building being so crazy. Big Time Players play big in Big Time Games, and I thought he did a great job of this. He made everyone around him better in a setting where most players want to grab the rebound and just go fast to the rim or run down and get a quick 3 up. I thought Skyler played very true to his game and did what he does best, which makes those around him better. He showed that by distributing the ball and making passes on time and on target to the right player for the ball. I thought he showed focus in the way he constantly made the interior defense slide over to help on his dribble penetration, then he would find the right person to make the defense pay. He consistently and constantly fed the bigs on his team and showed how unselfish he is as a point guard.

5’ 7”

This 2028 guard might be my new favorite player. He just stands out in every game he plays as tough and competitive. He is a guard that exemplifies heart, hustle, and physicality. He is always very assertive on offense and was a driving force for his team in all the games I saw them play. He was consistently putting them in a competitive position to score and not just himself but other players on his team that he was setting up to score. In my opinion he was one of the main attractions I saw out of the 60 talented players in the building. Davies didn’t disappoint in any of the games I watched. His infectious energy, effort in all aspects of the game, versatility and communication skills were on full display and helped ignite his team in all the games I watched them play. He was a force was a force that couldn’t be stopped except for if he stopped himself. With his ball handling skills, he is just a mismatch for most opponents that I watched his team play. His speed, skill, and ability to attack the rim, makes him very efficient around the basket and helps his team dominate the paint on offense. I think Xavier helped his stock by taking it to another level with the showing he had throughout the day.

Belmont Middle School, 6’ 5”

Khalil Luster of Belmont Middle School in Mississippi played like a man on a mission in the post. He got and maintained great position and used his body very well especially against bigger longer post players. There were numerous times that he was required to put the ball on the floor, and he finished with some great moves. I thought his showing was impressive especially playing with guards who don’t always look to feed the post in a showcase event with this kind of guard talent. In speaking with him and his father he is really working hard on his strength and conditioning which shows his determination to do things off the court that will help him get better on the court. I had never heard of Khalil before I walked into Discovery High School, but I left VERY impressed with him, and he has a huge upside. I think he’s going to be a very good stretch 4 at the high school level. Keep an eye out for this 2028 player as he keeps developing and working on his game.

5’ 5”

I didn’t get his school, but wherever he attends school is blessed to have this electric guard. This kid can absolutely play offense with the best of them. I love his energy and he can flat out go. In my opinion, he was a steady force for his team out all day. His court vision and playmaking skills is unmatched (especially his energy). His ability to connect from range was incredible, but his transition game and finishing at what I would consider way above typical game speed was fun to watch. It’s like he had a turbo button from a video game control built in that he could use at any time. Jeremiah is a kid I’m going to keep an eye on this middle school season because I think he could really show out BIG. He is a 2028 that I hadn’t heard of or seen until Saturday and, after seeing him, I feel like I must keep an eye out because he could be a top 25 player.