Prospect Spotlight: Antonio Hamlin (2022)
When you look around the landscape of the AAU scene for the class of 2022, it would be difficult to find a much better team than Team Thrill’s squad. A main piece to the puzzle for them is guard Antonio Hamlin.
Hamlin is a 6-foot-1 guard that folks will be able to see this winter at Mount St. Joseph’s playing for a legendary coach in Pat Clatchey. For the time being, he continues to produce for a Thrill team that has played and succeeded in older age brackets.
“It’s helped me a lot, especially with me expecting to play on varsity next year,” Hamlin explained. “The speed and physicality isn’t a problem for me at all. I’m always ready for anything. I work really hard, so I never doubt myself playing against older players.”
Hamlin joins a Mount St. Joe team that features two very skilled guards in James Bishop (2019) and Ausar Crawley (2021), both of which play for the Team Thrill program. With Hamlin’s ability to both score and facilitate, Coach Clatchey will have plenty of options in terms of working him into the rotation.
“I’ve known James since I was young and I also have a really good relationship with Ausar,” Hamlin told Prep Hoops. “We already have chemistry and we view each other as family. Not only those two, but all the guys on the team as well.”
Hamlin spends time breaking down film of players such a John Wall and Russell Westbrook to help add move to his arsenal. Hamlin told us that it’s not only their skill that he likes, but their mindset of being a tough, gritty guard.
The Gaels will have a huge void to fill with Jalen Smith graduating and heading to the University of Maryland. Although Hamlin doesn’t address their needs in the frontcourt, he’ll bring a tough-nosed mindset from the jump. And his expectations for next year support his mindset as a player.
“Another championship,” said Hamlin on what people can expect from the Gaels next season. “I’m never going to doubt us. A lot of people doubting us and it is what it is, but I’m looking to come in and make my mark. Not just me, but I believe in my entire team.”
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