AAU Workout Visit: Georgia Fire Part 2 “Premier”
Next up from my Georgia Fire visit we look a their Premier group, a mix of 2022’s, 2023’s and one 2024 all playing 17U together, and many have gotten off to strong starts in the early grassroots season and continued…
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Continue ReadingNext up from my Georgia Fire visit we look a their Premier group, a mix of 2022’s, 2023’s and one 2024 all playing 17U together, and many have gotten off to strong starts in the early grassroots season and continued to impress the other night.
Darius Reynolds, 6-5, PF (2023 Cedar Grove)
Jumps out right off the bat both for his size and his work rate, playing up hasn’t seemed to slow him a bit as he’s taken on all comers and has the body to do it, a relentless worker on both ends either fighting for position underneath, going to the glass or blocking shots, plays almost exclusively with his back to the basket out of necessity a bit for this crew but has embraced the role and is quick and strong after the catch, has all the tools with a developing face-up jump shooting game to emerge from this summer as a monster riser in the class.
Khalil Stead, 5-11, PG (2022, Stockbridge, pictured above)
Great moxie at the PG spot as he plays both with fire but also composure, excellent handle and has faced some serious defensive pressure both in tournament play as well as the other night against the Elite group, makes up for being a little undersized with plenty of fight and a real understanding of the position, can morph quickly from scoring point to a sound distributor and has posted big numbers in both categories so far this spring, definitely a point man on the rise.
Aaron Johnson, 6-0, CG (2023, ELCA)
Described by staff as the “high IQ type” and it shows in his play as he handles either guard spot and puts himself and teammates in good spots to be successful, excellent quickness both off the bounce on the attack and out in the open floor, superb on-ball defender, like most guards today can shoot it and loves to get downhill to the cup.
Lathan Minnifield, 6-2, SG (2023, Jonesboro)
The night’s smoothest stroke and one to watch for sure as he lit up the Elite team at different junctures and nothing was easy for the Premier guys, calm and assured he plays to his strengths by hovering around their arc and slyly waiting for his chance to get one off quick, as he drives it more and with authority that will create even more space for that J.
Kory Hill, 5-10, PG (2022, Eagle’s Landing)
A true, pure point guard with a slick handle and nice quickness, it’s well chronicled how deep and talented ELHS’s championship team was this past year and will be again with so many returnees, but Hill has the kind of pass-first mentality which could get him more minutes with all the scoring options to dish to, for Premier he can score in traffic as well and as mentioned takes good care of the ball.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Trenton Dillard (2022, Stockbridge), Rodney Fuller (2022, Charles Drew), Christian Goggins (2022, Eagle’s Landing), Amari Burnett (2023, Lakeview), Jahike Redding (2022, Mt Zion), Justin Tita (2022, Woodland), Chris Morris (2024, Dutchtown)