2019 On the Radar’s Under the Radar
Class of 2019
- Kevin Hester (North Cobb High School [GA]) – Georgia Elite Ballers
- You won’t find many forwards in the state of Georgia with as much physicality as North Cobb’s Kevin Hester. Standing 6’6”, Hester has the power to own the paint on and the motor to compete for rebounds on both ends. Every game over the weekend at On the Radar’s Sweet 16 showcase he seemed to put up double-double type numbers, and the impact he had was always significant in areas outside of the stat sheet. Hester has great touch on the inside, playing more of a back to the basket type of game, and can play above the rim as well.
- Keenan Blackshear (Jones High School [FL]) – Game Speed Elite
- Blackshear, the little brother of current Virginia Tech 6’10” forward Kerry Blackshear Jr., is a big time athlete for starters. Standing around 6’4” you would think Kevin has more growing to do before his prep and AAU days are over but if he does not grow another inch; he will still be in good shape on the college level. He can run the point, possessing above average ball handling as well as play making ability with his strength undoubtedly being able to finish at the rim off the bounce. He can make big time plays in transition and his jump shot is coming along quite nicely as it all was displayed during the first live period.
Keenan Blackshear
- Jordan Smith (Titusville High School [FL]) – Florida Reign
- Smith is a hidden gem out of Titusville, Florida but if he continues to show his offensive output as he did this past weekend, that will change soon. He poured in 39 points in a win Saturday night at OTRH’s Sweet 16 showcase, a showing that included seven three-point field goals. He has an extremely tight handle on the basketball and a quick first step to blow by any initial defender. His pull-up game from three is also impressive as he showed his quick release from well beyond the three-point line.
Jordan Smith
- Smith is a hidden gem out of Titusville, Florida but if he continues to show his offensive output as he did this past weekend, that will change soon. He poured in 39 points in a win Saturday night at OTRH’s Sweet 16 showcase, a showing that included seven three-point field goals. He has an extremely tight handle on the basketball and a quick first step to blow by any initial defender. His pull-up game from three is also impressive as he showed his quick release from well beyond the three-point line.
- Matthew Sams (Jenkins High School [GA]) – South Georgia Kings
- Sams is a tough lefty out of Savannah, Georgia that does a good job of getting to the rim off the bounce from anywhere on the perimeter. He is very effective in transition and has the ability to hit the outside shot to mix in his offensive output. Sams has good size at 6’2” and he consistently found himself at the foul line and mostly for one free throw as he is comfortable finishing through contact. He plays the game at a highly level and is a vocal competitor on both ends.
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Preston Urbanic
Preston Urbancic (First Baptist Academy [FL])– Team Speights Blue
- Urbancic has one of the prettiest left hand strokes that you will see from the sunshine State. The combo guard did the best job of any prospect I saw at knocking down shots and then utilizing the pump fake to free himself up for easier looks in the mid-range and three-point area. Urbancic however is not just a shooter; he can get in the lane to create and possesses an impressive floater to score over taller defenders.
