Preseason POY Nominees: Cobb County

The 2017-2018 season for Cobb County's public schools are now in the books. With the 2018 seniors graduating and moving on, Cobb still has some fire power that can represent next year. Let us take a look at next season's top players and 2019 preseason Cobb player of the year nominess as we preview the favorites. *Note: this is just an early look, subject to change*   2019 forward Isaac Okoro - McEachern High School  AAU Team: Athletes of Tomorrow  The 6'5 200 pound forward Isaac Okoro had a formidable season with his McEachern squad, who finished 26-3 and making the elite 8, this season. Isaac averaged about 18 points per game this season and was named Region 3 class 7A player of the year. He was also listed on the All Cobb County first team selection and finished second in Cobb County player of the year voting. It is no question that Okoro will be the favorite to win Cobb County player of the year next year coming into his senior season. He is almost unstoppable when driving to the basket and is one of the great defenders on the court with his awareness and reaction time. Isaac will be running with AOT once again this summer in the 2018 Nike EYBL Circuit. Isaac is ranked currently number 40 in the ESPN 60 rankings nationally.   2019 point guard Jalen Harper - Pebblebrook High School  AAU Team: Undecided You probably heard of Jared Harper, former Pebblebrook High School point guard and current Auburn point guard. Meet his little brother, Jalen Harper. Harper is a 6'0 multi talented point guard for the Pebblebrook Falcons and next season will make four year of varisty experience. Jalen came in as a freshman back in 2016 when Pebblebrook reached the 2016 class 6A state finals. It is no question that Jalen will be the team captain and leader of next season's Pebblebrook squad. He is a Jalen Brunson type point guard on the floor. He can facilitate and create plays for his teammates and is able to hit his jumps shots on and off the ball. Jalen, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated guards we have in the class of 2019 in the state of Georgia. His game has improved tremendously since he made his debut in a Falcon jersey at Pebblebrook. Jalen has played behind key players such as Jared Harper, Collin Sexton, Elias Harden, DJ Murray, Mervin James, and Grant Howard over the years at Pebblebrook. His experience with those prospects should make us prepare for an impressive senior year. Jalen has yet to decide what AAU team he will be running with this summer, but the offers and interest should rack up soon.   2019 shooting guard Isaac Martin - Wheeler High School  AAU Team: Game Elite  The left handed shooting guard Isaac Martin is one of Georgia's best shooters. Martin was having a decent junior year before injuring his knee late into the season. He was Wheeler's second leading scorer behind 2018 star EJ Montgomery. He has great size and footwork for a guard. Issac can get hot from deep in a snap and very quickly. His 6'5 frame also strengthens him on the defensive side of the ball. He knows how to find his spots on the floor off the ball when running the floor on the fast break. Isaac's favorite spot's on the floor are the corner threes. Martin is another one of those under the radar prospects that has not been spoken upon as much. He holds a couple of offers already from Austin Peay, App. State, and Florida Gulf Coast and is still showing interest from others. He will be running with Game Elite this summer once again in the Adidas Gauntlet Circuit gold division.   2019 point guard Terrell Burden - Campbell Hgh School  AAU Team: Game Elite  If we are going to talk about one of the most improved players from the 2017-2018 season, this kid will be at the top of that list. Terrell Burden made his varisty debut this season with the Campell Spartans, who finished 20-10 and making their first elite 8 since 2016. The 5'9 point guard led his squad this season in scoring avergaing about 17 point per game. Terrell was named on the Region 2 class 7A first team all region team and also seleted on the All Cobb County 2nd team. He is a two way point guard who will bring the energy on both ends of the floor. His ball handling skills and penetration in the lane helps him get to the rim and also create plays for others. The kid is not afraid of contact whatsoever and will go up with anyone inside the paint. Terrell can also get his shot off the dribble and is able to make the mid range jumpers as well. He will be running with Game Elite this summer in the Adidas Gauntlet silver division.   2020 point guard Sharife Cooper - McEachern High School  AAU Team: Athletes of Tomorrow  One of the best point guards and also one of the best players nationally is sophomore point guard Sharife Cooper of McEachern High School. Sharife stands at 5'10 and could be 6'0. His IQ on the court are just one of the many strenghts this kid has. His dynamic vision and how he knows where his teammates are on the court are remarkable. With Cooper playing on a star studded McEachern team, he is able to show all of his skill sets on the floor. He has the Chris Paul like abilities to get into the opposing teams defense and finish around the rim for a kid his size. Sharife was named on the Region 3 class 7A all first team and has been selected on the All Cobb County 1st team for back to back seasons. He holds offers already from schools such as Florida, Clemson, Alabama, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and more. Cooper will be looking to add to his list this summer as he will return to AOT, who will be playing in the 2018 Nike EYBL Circuit.   2019 wing Jayln McCreary - Kennesaw Mountain High School  AAU Team: Game Elite  Jayln McCreary made his varsity debut with Kennesaw Mountain this season after sitting out for his sophomore year due to GHSA rules. In his junior season Jalyn averaged 18.6 points per game for Kennesaw, as they finished the season 18-10 and making the class 7A state playoffs. He was also named on the Region 3 class 7A all region team and selected on the All Cobb County 2nd team. His long arms helps him to have the ability to be an outstanding rebounder on the offense and defensive glass. He is one of the best rim runners on the court running from end to end. Jalyn can hit the mid range jump shot as well if he is not able to attack the rim. He creates mismatch problems for the opposing teams due to the fact he is actually playing the center position in Kennesaw Mountain's offense. He holds offeres already from Hofstra and UMass and is receiving interest from schools such as Kennesaw State, Florida Gulf Coast, Murray State, and more. Jalyn will be running with Game Elite this summer in the Adidas Gauntlet.   2019 shooting guard Charles Smith IV - McEachern High School  AAU Team: Athletes of Tomorrow  What was already a star loaded team in McEachern High School, 2019 guard Charles Smith IV just adds fuel to the fire. Charles Smith transferred from Indiana powerhouse La Lumiere (IN) in the middle of the season to McEachern. With him being in Cobb County to finish his high school career, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be in discussion for Cobb County player of the year next season. He ranks currently number 56 in the ESPN 60 nationally. Charles has not fully made his statement in Georgia yet but it will be coming sooner than we think. He is one of the best shooters in the country. Charles has a pure stroke from outside and inside the arc. It does not take him a lot of shots to get going as he can heat up in a blurr. Charles already holds a few offers from Georgia Tech, Tulane, SMU, Oklahoma State, Lousiana State and more. He will be running with Athletes of Tomorrow this summer in the 2018 Nike EYBL Circuit.   The complete 2019 Cobb County Preseason POY Nominees 2019 forward Isaac Okoro - McEachern High School  2019 wing Jayln McCreary - Kennesaw Mountain High School  2019 point guard Jalen Harper - Pebblebrook High School 2019 point guard Jaire Eastmond - Wheeler High School  2019 guard Khalil Shaheed - Kennesaw Mountain High School  2019 point guard Jaiden Diamond - South Cobb High School  2020 point guard Sharife Cooper - McEachern High School  2019 point guard CJ Henderson - Kell High School 2019 shooting guard Charles Smith IV - McEachern High School  2019 shooting guard Isaac Martin - Wheeler High School 2019 point guard Terrell Burden - Campbell High School 2019 forward Kevin Hester - North Cobb High School 2019 center Babatunde Akingbola - McEachern High School 2019 forward Jared Jones - McEachern High School  2019 wing Justin Perry - Kell High School  2019 point guard Matt Jenkins - Sprayberry High School  2019 wing Brandon Deravaine - Campbell High School 2019 guard Markieth Browning - South Cobb High School  2019 shooting guard Micah Paulk - Pope High School 2019 guard Ryan Biligs - Pope High School 2019 point guard Orry Owens - Hillgrove High School 2020 guard Saigon Kitts - Sprayberry High School 2019 shooting guard Jordan Kreuger - Walton High School 2020 guard David Sickles - Walton High School  2019 guard Kenny Burns - Wheeler High School 2019 guard Treylan Smith - Marietta High School *subject to change*