2020 Georgia Summer Awards (Tier 1 Cont.)
Human Highlight Reel- Deivon Smith Smith is exactly what the title of the award says. Every game he is good for multiple high-flying, exciting plays. Put him in the open court and Smith is going to give you some entertainment.…
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Continue ReadingHuman Highlight Reel- Deivon Smith
Smith is exactly what the title of the award says. Every game he is good for multiple high-flying, exciting plays. Put him in the open court and Smith is going to give you some entertainment. He is a dynamic athlete with elite speed and leaping ability that he tries to use nearly every possession. Even if he’s not completing a dunk, Smith is capable of finishing acrobatic shots in the paint. Smith will also complete highlight plays where his teammates are on the receiving end. Whether that be alley-oops or weaving through the defense and finding shooters, Smith gets others involved as well. He has the tools to build from that coaches look for in high-level PG’s.
Best Floor General- Sharife Cooper/Sion James
Always calm and relaxed, Cooper could have easily been awarded the Mr. Cool award as well. He has torn up the EYBL circuit each of the last two years and led AOT to consecutive Peach Jam appearances. It doesn’t matter that he is smaller than most, Cooper is super-skilled and manufactures points for his team in any way. Cooper dictates the pace of the game and never allows defenders to speed him up. He is starting to focus in on his college decision with a few leaders sticking out more than the rest.
One of the bigger PG’s you will find, James has shown he can control the game and facilitate an offense very well. James is an excellent passer and is always looking for open teammates before finding his own offense. He was a key part in helping a loaded Game Elite team mesh during the spring. He has speed but uses it selectively, utilizing change of pace to keep his defenders off balance. While his height helps him to see over most guards, James also uses his big body to keep the opposition away from the ball and limit turnovers. At his size, it is uncommon that a prospect will possess his type of feel and unselfishness.
Most Versatile- Ja’Queze Kirby
At 6’7”, I’ve seen Kirby play pretty much every position on the floor. With Jeff Davis, he has to do so many different things. Kirby brings the ball up the court for them at times and displayed some passing ability on the move during the June Live Period. With Upward during the travel season, Kirby was basically a positionless player. He was super active and used his explosive athleticism to contribute on both ends of the floor. Kirby guards post and perimeters effectively and can also step out to hit 3’s on offense. There might not be one specific skill that he excels at but he is good in lots of different areas, has a great motor, and is an exceptional athlete. Kirby will be able to fit in with many different systems at the college level.
Hardest Playing- Tyler Johnson
If you have watched Johnson play this spring and summer, you would have probably thought to give him this award as well. He flies up and down the court all game, making you question when he is going to get tired. I haven’t seen many other guards rebound like he does and stay active on both ends of the court while also handling a heavy scoring load. Johnson can handle the ball and make the right pass, but he thrives at running the lanes in transition where he can get behind the defense and finish at the basket. Even with exerting tons of effort, Johnson still leads his team vocally and provides great leadership. He is always encouraging other players and making sure his team stays composed. Many players have trouble adapting their games to new roles outside of scoring in college but that won’t be an issue for Johnson.
Best Defender- Roman Son
My appreciation of Son’s defensive prowess has been well-documented over the last few months so it was only fitting that he be given this award. His impact on this side of the ball comes before any other part of his game, which you hardly ever see in today’s game. The Knights only lost 1 game this summer and in a lot of their big wins, defensive plays from Son ignited runs that proved to be important. He constantly made hot recruits look like average high school players and was out to prove himself every game. Son seems to be adding to his offensive game regularly, he should have another great high school season at Therrell.
The Competitor- Dwon Odom
Odom has always been a hard-playing guy with toughness, but sometimes there’s just one little thing that happens during the course of a game that flips a switch and takes him to a different level. If an opponent makes him mad or does something to light a fire underneath him, he is going to look to annihilate you. Whenever his team is in a spot where they need points or some type of boost, Odom is going to come through. He is an absolute terror in transition who forces his teammates to run the floor with the way he pushes the pace. Odom is vocal and direct with teammates, making sure that they are locked in the same way he is. It’s no wonder that Xavier assistant Jonas Hayes is so excited to get his hands on Odom.