AAU Workout Visit: Mva Outlawz 17U

<p>After watching Bryson DeChambeau pummel Bay Hill, got a chance to visit my friend Adrian Ranson and his Mva Outlawz 17U bunch, a group that was a tough out every time they hit the floor last summer and posted some really strong wins. This group which will feature some real unheralded gems in the 2021 class to go with some 2022s (and a 2024 to watch) who are ready to capitalize on larger roles for their teams.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1047098" first="Keith" last="Murray"], SG, Chattahoochee (2021), pictured above</strong></em></p> <p>Murray I’m sure was planning and hoping to be playing this week in Macon, but Lee County stunned the defending 6A champs and Hooch will now be looking to the 2021-22 season. Murray will not be back, but he has a great opportunity with this club to be a feature guy off the wing with his combination of deadeye shooting and a renewed off-the-dribble game which has made huge strides. He’s got good length at around 6-4 and can be a factor at the defensive end as well.</p> <p><em><strong>Mohammed Mbye, SF, Johns Creek (2021)</strong></em></p> <p>Saw Mbye a bunch this past regular season and there was always a handful of moments that exemplified his versatile game, one that can work around the basket with a craftiness at 6-5, but with a guard-like handle he likes facing the basket to make things happen there. Like Murray, will be a focal point for this team and will get a great chance to show off his stuff to coaches both live and on streams.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049937" first="Liam" last="Thomas"], SG, King’s Ridge</strong></em></p> <p>Perhaps no one on this team is primed for a bigger breakout than Thomas, playing up he was a solid contributor on last year’s 17U team. He had a really good season for a 20-win Tiger team and has the look of a much more confident and mature player. The ball will come his way a lot more now, and he can unleash his excellent shooting range out well past the arc, but has also really brought a new dimension of quickness and power to the basket that will be attractive to next-level scouts at nearly 6-3.</p> <p><em><strong>Jake Tillman, PG, Alpharetta (2024)</strong></em></p> <p>no one made a bigger splash on the evening than Tillman, he who I had not laid eye on before the night. But this a 5-10 point guard prospect to watch playing up 2 divisions for Ranson, possessing a polished and refined game already that encompasses good decision-making and vision with explosiveness off the bounce with an ability to see and attack gaps for his offense.  </p> <p><em><strong>Bilal Ahmed, SG, Alpharetta (2021)</strong></em></p> <p>A second nice surprise was Ahmed, who unfortunately had some transfer issues and after winding up back at Alpharetta but could not get on the floor for the Raiders. This then will be his only chance to show what he can do, and there’s definitely some upside there - he sets up as a classic slasher, loves to attack with the dribble and has enough flair and good senses combined to take advantage of the opening. The jump shot is pretty solid as well, certainly one that has to be honored, and at 6-2 and very athletic he can guard 3 spots with ease.</p> <p><em><strong>Kohl Harris, PG, South Forsyth (2021) </strong></em></p> <p>Like Hooch, the War Eagles had much higher hopes for a deep playoff run, but it was still a great season for South and Harris was the engine for the team yet again. He looks to be that guy here with the Outlawz, as few guards north of the perimeter will look to push pace harder than Harris. He has deceptive speed with the ball and despite being under 6-0 can definitely slice it all the way to the cup. He’s also a very dangerous 3-point shooter, so he can slide off the ball and be effective. </p> <p><em><strong>Carter Kling, SG, Pinecrest</strong></em></p> <p>Kling was the night’s jump-shooting star, showing off a picture-perfect stroke with the two’s and three’s to back it up. He’s ready to shoot off the catch and gets it off fast, and is coming off a solid season for the Paladins where he was the team’s 2nd leading scorer to the dynamite [player_tooltip player_id="870159" first="Oscar" last="Lynch"]. He was equally strong in the mid-range off the pull-up, a move which will come in handy as teams close out hard on him at the 3-point stripe.</p> <p><em><strong>OTHERS TO WATCH: [player_tooltip player_id="677698" first="Carson" last="Wolfel"] (King’s Ridge), Malcham Riley (Alpharetta), Jack Faulkenberg (Cambridge)</strong></em></p>