AAU Workout Visit: AC Georgia Mixed 15U/16U
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You better know what you’re signing up for when you decide to join up with AC Georgia, coming off a monster 2020 summer and widely regarded as one of the state’s most well-run organizations with tentacles across a wide range…
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Continue ReadingYou better know what you’re signing up for when you decide to join up with AC Georgia, coming off a monster 2020 summer and widely regarded as one of the state’s most well-run organizations with tentacles across a wide range of schools at the next level.
Garrick Respress, a long-time college coach and no-nonsense director, runs a ship that demands attention to detail, is highly competitive for spots, and imparts the kind of lessons kids will take with them well beyond the game of basketball. We dropped by last Friday night (and again Saturday morning for the 17Us) for a look at a mixed group of his 15U and 16U kids, the full complement of players weren’t on hand, but here’s what came from the evening:
15U
Cam Parada, SG, Aquanis
It can’t go without saying how impressive this shooting guard was from the Augusta-area, first up he looked sharp shooting the rock Friday night and then came in early Saturday to run with the 17Us and didn’t miss a beat, a quick and pure stroke that is both natural and refined, has the look of a kid made to play basketball, he stood out within just a few minutes and with good size already around 6-3 he’s one to watch in this group.
Chase Williamson, CG, Union Grove
I regret that a school like Union Grove didn’t make it onto my travel radar this past regular season (although Covid was still a factor in when, where and how many times we went out), for to would have been fun to see him go full tilt for the Wolverines, he has a nice frame for a 9th-grader and a shows a lot more game than his years would indicate, he can play either guard spot at 6-1 and gets to the basket quick like a senior-to-be, his play had both me and Respress excited.
Karris Bilal Karris Bilal 6'2" | PG Riverwood | 2024 State #243 Nation GA , PG, Riverwood
Riverwood is normally a team I get to see but wasn’t able to this season, Bilal I’m sure would have been another young player on the scene that would have popped my eyes out after averaging 18 ppg as a frosh, the innate PG skills are all there – tremendous handle and quickness off the bounce, gets into the teeth and finds the bottom of the net, eyes up and good vision (a little more of scoring PG at the moment) but that is something AC Georgia will work on, his on-ball defense was incredibly impressive as he gave every other ballhandler fits, so impressive and an absolute huge riser before the circuit even gets underway.
OTHERS TO WATCH: LJ Moore LJ Moore 6'6" | SF Pace Academy | 2024 State GA (Pace), Kalen Shemwell (Sandy Creek)
16U
Colby Williams Colby Williams 6'7" | SF Discovery | 2023 State GA , SF, Meadwocreek
Coming off a summer where he was an eye0-catcher and then a good season for the Mustangs as part of a young nucleus which was mostly made up of sophomores, great length at 6-7, we know about his shooting prowess but will be called upon to create more off the dribble and has the ability to do that, lean but not afraid to mix it up inside on the glass or defending bigger players, seems primed for a monster breakout.
Cameron Brown, PF, Mays (pictured above)
Among the evening’s big surprises, a wingspan that seemingly goes on forever at around 6-8, absolute eraser near the cup, great motor and has the will and inherent tools to get better, will get his share of points from size and battle-energy alone, it’ll be interesting to see how his offensive game evolves but the upside is tantalizing.
Cade Simmons Cade Simmons 5'11" | CG Gainesville | 2023 State GA , CG, Cherokee Bluff
My kind of player, fearless and filled with confidence, particularly in his jump shot which is among the 2023 class’ most efficient from deep range, can slide to either guard spot, a poise and comfort on the floor of an older player and like a lot of AC Georgia guys oozes both raw potential and teachable upside.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Jamar Griffin Jamar Griffin 6'0" | CG Peachtree Ridge | 2023 State GA (Peachtree Ridge), Brent Bowman Brent Bowman 6'3" | SG Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe | 2023 State GA (Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe), Timmy Akin (North Forsyth), Leslie Black Leslie Black 6'6" | PF Statesboro | 2023 State GA , (Statesboro), Jay Boyd (Hiram)