On The Radar Hoops Elite 32 Event: 17u Players to Watch
Editor’s Note: Felix Okpara Felix Okpara 6'11" | C Hamilton Heights | 2022 #51 Nation MO and Yerald Mieses Yerald Mieses 6'2" | PG Hamilton Heights | 2021 State TN were mistakenly listed as members of Team EAT in a…
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Continue ReadingEditor’s Note: Felix Okpara Felix Okpara 6'11" | C Hamilton Heights | 2022 #51 Nation MO and Yerald Mieses Yerald Mieses 6'2" | PG Hamilton Heights | 2021 State TN were mistakenly listed as members of Team EAT in a previous incarnation of this article. Both are currently members of EAB. I apologize for the error.
An in-depth looks at the top players to watch during the On The Radar Hoops Elite 32 event in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Are you a guard deserving of our attention in the class of 2023? DM your stats, highlight, and name to @PrepHoopsTN.
Kam Elder, Blackman
Tennessee Panthers
17u
2021
A hot name among NAIA coaches in Tennessee, Kam is playing very crisply and effectively this summer.
Dontae Stringer
Dontae
Stringer
6'9" | PF
Blackman | 2022
TN
, Blackman
Tennessee Panthers
17u
2021
Tantalizing height. Unproven as a player for Blackman High. Our projection for Stringer is anywhere from small college to D1. There are just too many unknowns to his game, to his consistency, to his limitations. Stringer plays plenty and usually plays well for the Panthers. He is absolutely worth the long look by college coaches of all levels.
Braden Ilic
Braden
Ilic
6'10" | PF
Morristown East | 2022
State
TN
, Morristown East
Tennessee Bobcats
17u
2022
Ilic earned his first D1 offer long ago (Appalachian State) and maintains interest from Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Clemson, West Virginia, George Washington, Belmont, Liberty, Chattanooga, Western Kentucky, and UTA. Ilic’s wingspan is 7′ easy. He projects as a faceup-four.
Jonathan Milloway Jonathan Milloway 6'8" | SF Oak Ridge | 2021 State TN , Oak Ridge
Tennessee Bobcats
17u
2021
Forward Jonathan Milloway Jonathan Milloway 6'8" | SF Oak Ridge | 2021 State TN maintains recruiting interest from: Lee University, Carson-Newman, Maryville, Centre, Emory, Johns Hopkins, AL-Huntsville, Washington & Lee, Catholic University, Washington University (Mo.), Carnegie-Mellon, Northeastern. Milloway played a prominent role for Oak Ridge in 2019-2020, starting as a center. Tennessee Bobcat Head Coach/Founder Kevin Feltner envisions Milloway as a “stretch 4/5.” Milloway stands 6-foot-7 tall with a 6-foot-11 wingspan. His 4.2 GPA implies that he will be a model student beyond high school, as well.
Dante Oliver Dante Oliver 6'3" | CG Asheville Christian Academy | 2023 State NC , CAK
Tennessee Bobcats
17u
2023
A 6-foot-3 guard, Dante Oliver Dante Oliver 6'3" | CG Asheville Christian Academy | 2023 State NC is the son of University of Tennessee Assistant Coach Desmond Oliver, and the youngest member of the Tennessee Bobcat team.
Grant Strong Grant Strong 6'4" | SG Clay County | 2022 State TN , Clay County
Tennessee Bobcats 17u
2022
Tennessee Bobcat Head Coach/Founder Kevin Feltner envisions Grant Strong Grant Strong 6'4" | SG Clay County | 2022 State TN eventually signing a Division 1 scholarship to a mid-major or mid-major prospect. Though Strong lacks a D1 offer currently, almost a dozen college coaches have expressed early interest. For example, Grant or a member of his support group have heard from Belmont, Davidson, Chattanooga, Appalachian State, Georgia State, UTA, Tennessee Tech, or Western Kentucky. Strong’s high school team advanced to the Class A State Tournament in spring 2020.
Carter Metz, Cherokee
Tennessee Bobcats 17u
2022
Point guard. Interested schools: King University, Tusculum, Milligan.
Kaleb Merideth, University
Tennessee Bobcats 17u
2021
Carson-Newman, Maryville, Tusculum, Centre, Emory & Henry, Milligan have all reached out to inquire about Kaleb’s basketball future. Kaleb is a left-handed pitcher with D1 talent as a baseball player. “Big time 3-ball shotmaker,” said Coach Feltner.
Jonathan Zhao-Olmos, Sevier County
Tennessee Bobcats 17u
2021
Great student. Good test score. Carson-Newman, Lee, Maryville, Centre are all interested. Zhao-Olmos is a taller guard (6’3″). Probably projects as a point guard.
Darwin Randolph Darwin Randolph 6'0" | PG East Hamilton | 2021 State TN , East Hamilton
North Metro Elite 17u
2021
Bull guard with fantastic power in legs and chest. Ready to lead from the jump. Still unproven as an outside shooter.
Marcus Long II Marcus Long II 6'2" | CG East Hamilton | 2021 State TN , East Hamilton
North Metro Elite 17u
2021
Excels in the open floor. Fast in a bee-line. Marcus plays above the rim. Still a little raw. He maintains tons of D2 and low-major D1 interest.
Yerald Mieses
Yerald
Mieses
6'2" | PG
Hamilton Heights | 2021
State
TN
, Hamilton Heights
Team EAB 17u
2021
Fully recovered from injury. Yerald was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States just a couple years ago.
Felix Okpara
Felix
Okpara
6'11" | C
Hamilton Heights | 2022
#51
Nation
MO
, Hamilton Heights
Team EAB 17u
2022
Elite shotblocker. Felix has a couple people in his camp that see a 10-year NBA career in his future. It is difficult to find a glaring flaw in his game. Outside shooting? Okpara really cleaned up his hips and developed fantastic balance to go along with his otherworldly length. The tiny, purposeful steps of Felix around the “pocket” set him up nicely to block or deter shots. Open floor speed is not a weakness, but there is certainly room for improvement. High-major talent. HM+ ceiling. It needs to be mentioned that Hamilton Heights Christian Academy hired a new coach, so the continuity of Okpara’s living situation may remain, but his basketball guidance is enduring a change as Steve Cook takes over for Zach Ferrell.
PERTINENT 17u TEAMS
Tennessee Panthers
BMaze Elite
North Metro Elite
Tennessee Bobcats
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