Who Stood Out at the 2018 TOC Classic? (Part Three)
Atlanta, Georgia – The 2018 and third annual Tournament of Champions Classic began this week and ran over a three day span, from December 27-29th. This year’s tournament was no different really then past seasons and was filled with talent all over the two gymnasiums with some of the peach state’s best prospects. College coaches from Virginia, Georiga, Georgia Tech, UMass, Xavier, Auburn, Clemson, and few division two schools were in attendance throughout the tourney. The tournament was split into two divisions with four different brackets. Here I have pointed out who stood out in the national division.
Note: Part 3 of 3
2019 PG Tre Clark (Newton, GA)
Newton High School, a school you might be familiar with because it was the same high school as current Kentucky point guard Ashton Hagans attended. No more Hagans? No problem. After playing off the ball for most of his time last year, the 6-foot-2 point guard Tre Clark has emerged into the starting point guard of this Newton squad this season. Clark is one of the peach states top available seniors and after a solid outing at the TOC Classic, college coaches should be in contact with him. He is a smooth type of guard who plays with a little swagger to his game. Tre is able to create his own shot off the dribble and is a knock down shot maker. His most underrated skill might be his passing. He was able to see and read the defense fairly well and found his teammates for open shots and/or layups.
2019 PG Messiah Thompson (North Atlanta, GA) Campbell commit
An electric 6-foot and under player, the 5-foot-9 Messiah Thompson played an exciting game of basketball in his time with North Atlanta at the 2018 TOC Classic. The Campbell signee had one of the best lone performances at the tournament dropping a monster 43 points in North Atlanta’s victory over Lakewood (SC). Messiah is a speedy guard when he has the ball in his hands. Once he posses the ball he is bound to make a play, whether that is scoring or finding an open teammate for a bucket. His point guard skills are on point and he holds a great shooting technique that will certainly help him in the long run due to his size. Thompson played incredible all tournament long and is why he received all tournament honors in the national division side.
2019 PG Hunter McIntosh (Greater Atlanta Christian, GA)
Georgia is filled with available underrated unsigned seniors in the 2018-2019 season but if I had choose just one, this kid here will most likely be my pick. Sitting at 6-foot-2, McIntosh displayed his talents once again in front of national media and college coaches and scouts. He might not be the craftiest or even fastest point guard but Hunter is a solid all around point guard. He does have to develop into a better true point guard at some point but he can still play smart and is capable of making the right play. Hunter is a good on ball defender and was able to keep his man in front of him on most possesions. He did a solid job guarding top ranked 2020 W Corey Walker of Bishop Snyder (FL) in a win for Greater Atlanta Christian in their last matchup. McIntosh has been receiving interest and a couple offers already from a couple next level programs and is ceratinly going to be able to play on the next level somewhere.
2019 PG Jevon Tatum (Grayson, GA)
Another unsigned and available senior is Jevon Tatum, who went to work in the tournament of champions and was a big help to Grayson’s success. Tatum was last season’s Dekalb County leading scorer at Tucker High School before transferring over to Grayson for his senior campaign. Shot making is a unique skill the senior guard holds and he has a nice release on the ball when letting it fly. Tatum was also able to see the floor pretty well and defend at a somewhat high level on defense. As the season goes along hopefully the senior guard can open a few more eyes of the college coaches and scouts and find him a home at the next level. Whether it is JUCO, D3, D2, or even a low level D1 program, Jevon could find his way in a programs rotation.
2020 SG Sam Hines (Wheeler, GA)
I know the 2020 classes is loaded with big names and especially here in Georgia but I think Sam Hines should be a kid to keep an eye on. He is a 6-foot-4 two-guard but not the typical shooting guard your thinking of. Sam has a big frame and uses his size down low and around the paint most of the time instead of the perimeter like a normal two-guard. He is best when around the basket and is able to use his strenght at times for a powerful finish. He is effective on the glass on both ends of the floor and utilizes his body to shield his defenders from blowing by him on defense as well.