Freshman U Camp Showcase: Top Guards
- David Thomas (Creekside Christian Academy)
- Thomas, who had a strong summer campaign with the Atlanta Celtics, has not lost a step since then with a strong performance
David Thomas
at the Freshman U Showcase. Basketball IQ always translates to success, regardless of the competition, and Thomas brings that mental aspect to the basketball floor every time out. He continues to impact games; making players around him better with assists in transition as well as the half court and his ability to make plays in tight spaces is uncanny. Thomas knows how to exploit mismatches wherever they may be on the floor and always knows where to be from an anticipation standpoint defensively. Thomas is one of the best guards in the state for this class and his stellar performance was indicative of that Saturday afternoon.
- Thomas, who had a strong summer campaign with the Atlanta Celtics, has not lost a step since then with a strong performance
- Caleb Blackwell (Buford)
- In an equally impressive performance as Thomas, Caleb Blackwell displayed his skills in just about every way possible at Freshman U. He is a few inches shorter than Thomas but has a quick burst with the basketball when getting where he wants to go. Blackwell knows how to move without the ball and used that knowledge to score in a variety of ways. He was efficient when he was in transition and had some crafty lay-ups when he got to the rim. Blackwell can get it done on all levels, as his three point shooting was just as potent as his lay-up making ability. The Buford product made the most of his time at camp and should be next in line at a school with division I level guard play in recent years.
- Zocko Littleton (South Cobb)
- Littleton came into Freshman U Camp with a lot of hype surrounding him and he did not disappoint. Running the show from the point guard position, Littleton was arguably the best isolation player at the entire showcase. The young floor general made a habit of getting by initial defenders and made other players look silly when the pace picked up in transition, showing his change of pace abilities. He has a nice shot of the dribble and a long, wiry build that makes you think he will continue to grow with the opportunity to add muscle to his frame. Overall, ball handing was not a strong point at Freshman U but with this specific prospect out of South Cobb, it is clear that he can handle primary ball handling responsibilities to either score or assist.
Caleb Blackwell
- Littleton came into Freshman U Camp with a lot of hype surrounding him and he did not disappoint. Running the show from the point guard position, Littleton was arguably the best isolation player at the entire showcase. The young floor general made a habit of getting by initial defenders and made other players look silly when the pace picked up in transition, showing his change of pace abilities. He has a nice shot of the dribble and a long, wiry build that makes you think he will continue to grow with the opportunity to add muscle to his frame. Overall, ball handing was not a strong point at Freshman U but with this specific prospect out of South Cobb, it is clear that he can handle primary ball handling responsibilities to either score or assist.
- Jordan Riley (Hapeville Charter)
- Riley was an under the radar prospect because he did not dominate the ball in many of his games but he remained relevant in five on five activity with other winning plays. However he did excel in the one on one activities, showing what he could do with the ball in his hands in three dribbles or less. His triple threat repertoire is superb as he was able to go on an impressive run of consecutive baskets with pump fakes, hesitations, and varsity level finishes with his right and left hand. The Hapeville Charter product already has good size for his age to play either guard position and I believe is one to watch out for on the south side of Atlanta.
- Christian Willis (McEachern)
- Every time you looked up, Willis was somewhere making a play for himself and others. He has a nice perimeter shot, knocking down several attempts coming off ball screens and other offensive actions. He knows what to do on fast breaks and rewards his teammates with nifty passes when lanes were filled correctly. I love the tenacity that Willis showed when playing defense as well; getting after opposing ball handlers that created turnovers and sped up offenses which consistently put his play making ability on display when the fast break was back in his favor. After this showcase, it is safe to say that the back court at McEachern post Sharife Cooper should be safe with Willis at the helm.
Honorable Mention: Kaden McArthur, Nile Hillmon, Marquis Casimir