AAU Workout Visit: Norcross Heat 2023

<p>It was a busy last Sunday, as later in the afternoon I got to drop on my friends at Norcross Heat, run by former professional player and one truly committed to the cause of travel ball, Marshawn Hampton. They’re widely recognized as one of Georgia’s most competitive independent programs and their 2023 team made a nice splash last summer with the likes of several risers from the Meadowcreek program. </p> <p>Let’s have a look at 5 players who made an impression:</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="820290" first="Keishawn" last="Hampton"], PG, Meadowcreek (pictured above)</strong></em></p> <p>Made a huge jump in our rankings this year both off an impressive summer which saw him take it right at many of the other top 2023 PGs, but also a terrifically consistent and often outstanding sophomore season for the Mustangs. The overall team record didn’t reflect how much young talent is on this roster, and the ballhandling, distributing and deadly long-range shooting from Hampton were all keys to some nice wins including playoff teams Fayette County (twice), Trinity Christian and Sequoyah. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="820294" first="Eduardo" last="Hendricks"], PF, Meadowcreek</strong></em></p> <p>An absolute beast to handle when he gets a head of steam anywhere inside 10 feet, Hendricks too has gradually established himself as one of the top 2023 forwards in the state. Wonderfully soft hands to go with the movement of a Devin White-style linebacker means matching up the 6-7 workhorse is a tall task for any sized defender. He can step out beyond the arc and bury you or put not the floor and get by you with a burst, truly a full package of horrors for opposing teams and this summer will be massive as more next level eyeballs turn his way. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="820310" first="Dayton" last="Richardson"], 6-6, SF, Meadowcreek</strong></em></p> <p>Despite the clear talents and bright futures ahead for both Hampton and Hendricks, perhaps no one of the Heat’s upcoming 16U team oozes more untapped upside than Richardson, a wiry, high-flier at 6-6 who can run, jump, shoot, rebound, pass and defend. His game looks so much more polished heading into this summer than this time last year, a sign of both the work he’s put in and the talent catching up to the natural body development. He can put together a bunch of wow moments at either end of the floor, and I expect coaches dropping in on Hampton and Hendricks will leave with a big smile about Richardson as well.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="820288" first="Nazir" last="Griffin"], CG, Shiloh</strong></em></p> <p>One of the first things I wrote in my notes last year when I first saw Griffin playing with the Heat was how much better of an athlete he was than virtually anyone else out there, and that hasn’t changed an iota. He had plenty of game to go with that, and after leaving Camp Jewell House to join Shiloh he has taken an even greater step forward in the game category. I saw him slice up a really good Lanier team with a combination of blow-bys and mid-range pull-ups, all comfortable yet explosive but highlighting his excellence as a penetrator. And add to that the defensive on-ball ferocity as intense as anyone in the class, and you’ve got a guard on the rise and real sleeper to watch this summer.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049231" first="Dennis" last="Sturdivant"], SG, Meadowcreek</strong></em></p> <p>Not to be outdone by his more ballyhooed running mates, Sturdivant too came a long way this season for the Mustangs and continues to show maturity and evolution in his game. Also a terrific athlete, he has harnessed that more into a refined game of elusive dribble-drives, improved outside shooting, and activity on the glass at both ends that from the guard post at 6-2 highlights his value. Should get lots of chances with the ball this summer off Griffin’s penetration and teams paying extra attention to Hampton’s shooting prowess.</p> <p><em><strong>OTHERS TO WATCH: [player_tooltip player_id="820293" first="Rashad" last="Headges"] (Columbia) - Sleeper combo guard from a 19-win Region champ, looks to be a great match with the returning Heat players with his versatility, athleticism and energy)</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>