Spending a while in Atlanta and earlier than I head to Lakepoint for the Nike EYBL, I did catch high quality expertise at OTR’s ‘Who Desires The Smoke’ final weekend. I wrote about 11 however greater than that impressed me. Let’s take a dive on what I noticed.
Jayden Williams, 2024 6’9 Ahead – Atlanta Celtics: Was impressed along with his general versatility. Recreation got here straightforward for him at ‘Who Desires The Smoke.’ Wiry with a big-time wingspan and might deal with it, end across the rim and somebody that may make an open perimeter shot. Defensively was doing a very good job defending the rim as properly. Williams strikes properly, can rating inside and outside and is a 2024 huge that might blow up this April Stay Interval.
Akai Fleming, 2025 6’4 Guard – Atlanta Celtics 16U: Fleming has a knack for scoring the ball and he can get sizzling rapidly. Confirmed three stage scoring however was impressed along with his accuracy from 3-point land.
Zion Greene, 2025 6’3 CG – AOT Elite 16U: Greene was enjoyable to observe. Explosive athlete that performs with quite a lot of energy as properly. Intercepted passing lanes like a defensive again, continued to place rim strain when the ball was in his palms. One factor about Zion that makes him a tricky cowl is he’s a lefty shooter, however really is a robust finisher and assaults with proper hand. One to observe this spring and summer time.
Cam Smith, 2025 6’6 Wing – AOT Elite 16U: Youthful brother of OTE’s Tyler Smith. Cam is a lefty attacking wing that’s sturdy in transition as a finisher. Rebounds and ignites break, crashes offensive glass and has a pleasant taking pictures stroke off the catch from three. Can see the place the upside is and with extra sharpening of his footwork, ability and steadiness, Smith might flip himself right into a higher-end D1 basketball participant.
Cannon Richards, 2024 6’7 SF – Recreation Elite 17U: I like Cannon’s sport rather a lot. A giant wing that may make pictures from the surface off the catch and on the transfer. Energetic with motion off the ball permits himself to be in place to attain.
Peyton Marshall, 2024 6’11 C – Recreation Elite 17U: Large fella is a load on the block. A large physique put up with terrific footwork. Makes use of broad body to carve out house inside and is an efficient finisher across the rim. Even with how huge he’s, he can combine it up with finesse and brute power when he operates within the put up. Will be scary the day he’s in nice form and may very well be a very good school participant.
Jeremiah Wilkinson, 2024 6’ PG – Recreation Elite 17U: Lefty, scoring pg that packed a robust offensive punch for Recreation Elite. Correct shooter from deep, sufficient at attending to spots to attain whereas additionally making stable reads when attacking.
Amir Taylor, 2025 6’8 PF – Recreation Elite 16U: Amir is a tricky cowl. Broad constructed, about 6’8 and is a formidable inside/out scoring risk. Good deal with, good footwork and is a succesful shooter (nonetheless can develop as a shooter) from exterior. May throw it to him inside and generate a clear search for himself or for his teammates with passes.
Ian Smikle, 2024 6’7 PF – Georgia Stars 17U: A robust constructed ahead that’s a load within the paint. Finishes by way of contact. Good rebounder, really feel, collects missed pictures out of his space and generates second likelihood alternatives for his squad. Protected the rim properly as he will get off the ground pretty fast.
Caleb Wilson, 2025 6’10 Ahead – Georgia Stars 16U: Rather a lot to love with Caleb. Along with his top, he performs with motor and grabs rebounds and blocks pictures. Offensively, there’s a ton of upside. Shot appears clear and made some mid-range fade-aways. Finest basketball is forward of him.
Matthew In a position, 2025 6’4 SG – Georgia Stars 15U: Son of Douglas In a position, who performed at Boston Faculty and loved an expert profession. Matthew stood out early along with his 3-point taking pictures. Was connecting triples off the dribble in transition in addition to pull-up mid-rangers additionally. Has a very good really feel for the sport and is aware of when he must be extra assertive with the ball.
