HoopSeen Atlanta Jam: Top “Gems” Part 2
Combining my look from Friday night and then Saturday morning at the Atlanta Jam we came away with some nice performances from a pair of clubs I’ve had the chance to see often this summer. Atlanta All-Stars 16U We’re getting…
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Continue ReadingCombining my look from Friday night and then Saturday morning at the Atlanta Jam we came away with some nice performances from a pair of clubs I’ve had the chance to see often this summer.
Atlanta All-Stars 16U
We’re getting into broken record territory when talking about the Chance Thacker Chance Thacker 6'4" | SG Providence | 2022 State GA (pictured above) and his immense strides across the board, the confidence level as a scorer has been something to note this summer as he has done it both from a PG role as well as a wing driver without too many peers, once again it’s noteworthy that his improved body has made him bolder to go get offense through contact, the well-schooled defense and not-let-up energy have been at an A-grade level all summer, at 6-4 a coach’s dream whose night in and night out work this coming regular season for Providence Christian will surely garner a ton of attention from next-level coaches …
Another prospect who’s obvious improvement cannot be understated is Tony Carpio Tony Carpio 6'7" | PF Providence | 2022 State GA , like Providence teammate Thacker he has taken this unusual grassroots season to gain a ton of strength during down time, this has given the 6-8 big man more confidence to go at physical and athletic frontlines like the one he faced in D-Favors Celtics, already an excellent defender near the basket I’ve grown to appreciate the hardhat work effort as he will attack the glass until he either gets the bucket or draws a hard foul, the work he’s been putting in on close-to-the-basket finishing has been obvious as well as he’s getting to fall those putbacks, short jumpers and hooks with much higher proficiency, this junior season upcoming leading into an equally big next summer will be massive as attention will surely come his way playing for what will be a very solid Storm team …
I’ve been talking about Langston Hughes guys all summer and the impact they have on games and Kobe Davis Kobe Davis 6'0" | PG Langston Hughes | 2022 State GA has done those things for the All-Stars, can shoot it, drive it, fly over you or drive around you, like most LHHS players the 6-0 guard can defend at an obscenely high level, athletic and skilled yet unselfish Davis can go on runs where he changes the game at both ends, together with explosive PG Jordan Brown Jordan Brown 6'8" | PF Northside-Warner Robins | 2021 State GA of St. Francis has given the All-Stars plenty of swag and moxie all summer with Brown showing off his range and flashy handle and Davis doing damage from the wing on the drive or off the break.
Norcross Heat 15U
Playing up in the 16’s virtually all summer, this Heat group has had an incredibly impressive summer and their notable players have made some impressive strides … the Meadowcreek duo of PG Keishawn Hampton Keishawn Hampton 6'1" | PG Collins Hill | 2023 State GA and PF Eduardo Hendricks Eduardo Hendricks 6'7" | PF Stephenson | 2023 State GA both look to have had undergone some body transformations this summer …
Hampton has gotten a bit taller to perhaps a legitimate 5-10 or more I think and certainly stronger and it shows in his play, he can still knock down the 3 at a high clip but his confidence to get into traffic has jumped and that makes him a dangerous weapon as he continues to mature …
Hendricks at a stout 6-7 does so much to affect the game at both ends, he’s an elite rebounder and shot-blocker, and his soft hands on offense make him a catch and finish nightmare for defenses, I liked seeing him take the short mid-range shot with confidence when presented, as he knocks those down he’ll force defenses to come out and he can utilize a strong dribble-drive game to hurt you even more …
The Heat boast more than just Hampton in a backcourt populated by multiple risers, and Camp Jewell House’s Nazir Griffin Nazir Griffin 6'0" | CG Shiloh | 2023 VA and Mountain View’s Zay Wilson Zay Wilson 6'1" | SG Meadowcreek | 2023 State GA are two who have packaged together excellent summers to raise their stock … Griffin was already one of the best defenders I’d seen this summer, but he has added to his offensive game showing off an improved and steady shooting stroke to go with an athletic game on the break and getting to the rim …
Wilson can unquestionably score, particularly from beyond the arc, and is an exquisite athlete, but he has truly shown off his PG instincts of late, a trait which will suit him well as next-level coaches are not just looking for guys who can score but those like Wilson and Griffin who can really guard you and take care of the ball and see the game at the other end.