Proving Grounds: Saturday Backcourt Impression-Makers Part 2

Let’s continue our look at some backcourt players who made big impressions at Proving Grounds last Saturday. [caption id="attachment_1029626" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200801_115853-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1029626 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200801_115853-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="869616" first="Mason" last="Barnes"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="869616" first="Mason" last="Barnes"] (Atlanta Wolfpack 17U, PG, 5-11, Lambert) - Leaving his Dawson County compadres and returning to Lambert HS, Barnes will make for a formidable duo next winter with forward [player_tooltip player_id="1020675" first="Jackson" last="Greene"] (to be featured in my "Forwards" article) for the Longhorns after they graduated so many dominant senior personalities, terrific shooter from all ranges with a crafty handle, plays bigger than his size in getting to the rim, quicker than he looks in pushing past defenders, athletic enough to mix it up as a rebounding guard, was my first look at him and the Wolfpack as a whole and he was impressive and someone D-2 and D-3 coaches will be wise to be on top of. [player_tooltip player_id="869641" first="Jake" last="Craft"], Ty Whitmire, [player_tooltip player_id="869633" first="Joakeim" last="Celestin"] (Atlanta Wolfpack 17U, all three from Dawson County HS) - In addition to now former-Tiger Barnes this was my first look at other players from DCHS coming off a 25-3 campaign last season, Celestin will be transferring over this year from Forsyth Central and will add some serious athleticism to a mix of sound and well-drilled returning players, at 6-2 and solidly built Celestin runs the floor, rebounds from the backcourt and has a nice mid-range scoring game to compliment some of the bombers, the 6-2 Craft (also a Forsyth Central transfer) is perhaps the most well-rounded of the trio, showing not only long-range shooting ability but also a great understanding of where to be on the floor to get offense be it finishing off the break or knifing into the lane using the bounce, Whitmire at 6-0 sets up as your prototypical long-range marksman utilizing a sweet stroke and quick release and will benefit even more out at the arc in the future with Celestin drawing attention nearer to the basket, all can guard as well and combined with 6-6 forward Max Tierney will comprise another devastating group for Tiger opponents next winter. [caption id="attachment_1029628" align="alignright" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200801_134425-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1029628 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200801_134425-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> Justice Devone (7) and Shazmere Thomas[/caption] Justice Devone (Atlanta Astros 17U, CG, 6-3, Douglas County) and Shazmere Thomas (Atlanta Astros 17U, CG, 6-3, Banneker) - Both Devone and Thomas handled the point at junctures and played off the ball so combo guard certainly suits them well, both have size and strong builds that allow them to mix it up inside, truly two of the better finds from the weekend, Devone was perhaps a little more comfortable beyond the arc showing a confident, sweet touch, but he was not at all afraid to drive it into traffic and make things happen at the cup, he had truer PG instincts and showed that with some clever passing throughout, he’s sure to join fellow 2021 DCHS studs [player_tooltip player_id="869594" first="Omarion" last="Smith"] and [player_tooltip player_id="869637" first="Omari" last="Fonteno"] in the spotlight for the Tigers, Thomas’ versatility was evident in his scoring from all 3 levels as well as being one of the better rebounding guards of the whole weekend, loved his slick use of the dribble to get through traffic and his willingness to run out on the break and go hard at the rim, gets a little missed down on the south side of Atlanta but is a hidden gem that requires attention. [player_tooltip player_id="1020668" first="Steven" last="Lyles"] (Mva Outlawz 17U, SG, 6-4, Johns Creek) - Lyles has set himself up as one of the top breakout performers of the summer in my eyes and I’ve seen a lot of ball this unprecedented summer (seen more than a dozen clubs workout live and Proving Grounds marked my 5th marquee tournament in the last 7 weeks), continued displaying his evolving game from long-range in particular, he already had a reputation as an uber-athlete who could leap out of the gym and finish at the basket with proficiency, adding the more consistent deep shooting and a more polished feel with the ball as a creator have been among the highlights as he looks to attract more big-time attention in his senior season. [caption id="attachment_1029629" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200801_153326-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1029629 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200801_153326-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> BJ Brown[/caption] BJ Brown (North Metro Elite 15U, PG, 5-8, Harrison) and [player_tooltip player_id="1016248" first="Aaron" last="Wesley"] (North Metro Elite 15U, SG, 6-2, McEachern) - In a weekend filled with intriguing backcourt combos this one was indeed impressive, Brown didn’t let his diminutive size hinder him at all in showing his skills as a penetrator, he’s also got advanced vision and made some terrific finds, he had a burst off the dribble which bigger defenders couldn’t deal with and he smartly used a clever floater game to avoid taking a pounding near the rim, quick hands and instincts also showed him out as one of the weekend’s better defenders, Wesley is a physical 2-man who falls in well with the assembly line of terrific guard prospects coming from the Indians program, he’s a tough match as he can drain it from well beyond the arc but also blow by you and get to the rim, surely one to watch as he moves up the depth chart down in Powder Springs.