Battle For Georgia: 17U Standouts (Pt. 2)

<p><strong>2021 6-2 PG [player_tooltip player_id="806746" first="Jax" last="Bouknight"] – Atlanta Timberwolves White – Blessed Trinity</strong></p> <p>A sterling 37-point performance in a win over Aim High set the stage for [player_tooltip player_id="806746" first="Jax" last="Bouknight"]’s soon ascent among Georgia’s top guards. He followed up with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks against Game Elite. Bouknight is lightning quick with the ball and can score at all three levels. He was locked in with his jump shot at Battle For Georgia and had everything working. He nailed 5 threes against Game Elite and was equally effective when slicing to the hoop. Bouknight plays with great pace. He’s a threat as both a scorer and facilitator. Part of the fastest show on hardwood, Bouknight is starting to separate himself from the other great guards on his team. Southern Wesleyan popped him with his first offer on Monday.</p> <p><strong>2021 6-3 SG [player_tooltip player_id="806753" first="Brendan" last="Rigsbee"] – Atlanta Timberwolves White – North Gwinnett</strong></p> <p>A high-energy jumping jack, [player_tooltip player_id="806753" first="Brendan" last="Rigsbee"] once again put unsuspecting opponents on notice with his terrific first step and great leaping ability. Rigsbee plays much bigger than his listed height and has no problem finishing at the rim with his acrobatic left-handed lay-ins. He’s an effective scorer from the mid-range and can get hot from deep. He made 3 threes against Game Elite, posting 20 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 steal. Rigsbee should be a priority recruit at the D-II level. He has the tools to draw interest from D-Is as well.</p> <p><strong>2021 6-6 W [player_tooltip player_id="949919" first="Max" last="Hrdlicka"] – Atlanta Timberwolves White – Glynn Academy</strong></p> <p>Mad Max hit 5 threes en route to 21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks against Game Elite. Hrdlicka has been a steady performer throughout the offseason. His nonchalant three-point shot can catch defenders napping. He’s got the strength and size to bull his way to the rim and absorb contact while doing so. When Hrdlicka feels like taking over games, he can do so.</p> <p><strong>2021 6-5 W [player_tooltip player_id="747107" first="Shaqir" last="O’Neal"] – Georgia Express – Creekside Christian Academy</strong></p> <p>The name alone draws attention. Shaq’s son showed some potential in an otherwise disappointing outcome. He finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block. O’Neal scored 15 of his points in the second half of a 78-55 loss. Shaqir has good size and length. His shot selection must improve as he forced the issue too much. I did like how he kept the pressure on the defense however and made a living at the line, going 9-13. O’Neal has the bloodlines and raw tools to become a solid player at the next level. I will need to see more of him.</p> <p><strong>2021 6-4 W [player_tooltip player_id="869638" first="Kevin" last="Taylor"] – NME – Allatoona</strong></p> <p>NME scrapped and clawed its way to a physical 67-64 win over the Warner Robins All-Stars, Claudell Harris hitting a three at the near buzzer to secure the victory. [player_tooltip player_id="869638" first="Kevin" last="Taylor"] played well throughout the game. He got hot from deep and made 3 threes. Taylor finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block. When Kevin is hitting from the outside, he’s extremely tough to stop. Even when his offense is slacking, you can always count on his effort defensively and on the glass.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-1 PG [player_tooltip player_id="949917" first="Eric" last="Howard"] – Lights Out Ballers – Marietta</strong></p> <p>Without [player_tooltip player_id="952581" first="Izaiyah" last="Nelson"], LOB didn’t have enough firepower to contend with the Warner Robins All-Stars. [player_tooltip player_id="949917" first="Eric" last="Howard"] however, still competed at a high level. He’s one of the more underrated guards in the 2022 class. He could be on the verge of breaking out this upcoming season. Howard has a unique feel for the game. He has great instincts and a nose for the ball that puts him in every play. Howard has the toughness to score on pull-ups and finish in the lane. For his size, he is an advanced rebounder. Howard’s motor led him to 8 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 block. Eric has plenty of years of good basketball ahead of him.</p> <p><strong>2021 5-9 G Jaiden Neville – Lights Out Ballers – North Cobb</strong></p> <p>Undersized guard Jaiden Neville had his outside shot working on Friday, knocking down 3 threes and finishing with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. He did the best he could against the Warner Robins All-Stars and played hard on both ends of the floor. His ability to stretch the floor could come in handy for North Cobb this upcoming season.</p>