AAU Workout Visit: SBT 17U

Keith Agran March 26, 2021 @ 10:03 AM

Earlier this week had a great time dropping in on my friend Jason Smithson and his 17U group for SBT (Smithson Basketball Training). In just their third year as a player on the Georgia AAU landscape, they've compiled a fascinating group of 2022s (and one 2023) for their 17U schedule, and the organization is showing both depth and serious staying power on the scene. The 16Us showed up halfway through and the two groups put on a spirited scrimmage, unfortunately I missed the chance later in the week to see the 2023s more but we'll be looking to re-schedule that visit or give them prime focus during the upcoming tournament slate: Tre Chatman, 6-4, SG, North Cobb Christian (pictured above) The clear leader of this bunch both from a vocal standpoint and being a top scoring option, coming off a season where he posted multiple impressive scoring performances he'll be looked to as the main man on the offensive end, built like a college linebacker he's a lot more than just muscle, has that key gift to create scoring chances out of nothing when a possession might break down, can bull his way to the basket or use an extra gear to blow by people, excellent shooting range as well, came to GA after playing on Oak Hill Academy's "2nd Team", it a team up in Virginia likely good enough to be ranked in the 30 in the country every year. Jaylen Gandy, 6-3, SG, Paulding County Showed some nice versatility as a physical downhill driver from the wing or the top of the key, good frame, sound defender, will mix it up and can be a factor rebounding from the guard spot, shooting range is good but I'd like to see more of it from out past the arc, could be a massive summer for his game to blossom. Chris Woods, 5-10, PG, North Paulding The evening's surprise with his poise and handle at the PG spot, another undersized guard who didn't let it hinder him from driving by people and attacking with fervor, will get a chance here to show his lead guard instincts both as a distributor as well as a capable scorer. Dusan Sticevic, 6-5, PF, Furtah Prep The first of 2 Serbian imports who play their HS ball out in Acworth, plays with a real edge that hints at a no-back down attitude ever-present in European imports, a good mover with shooting skills out to the arc and can bang away inside both off the catch or on the O-glass, solid defending the post, looking forward to seeing more in some tournament action. Vladimir Ivan, 6-2, SG, Furtah Prep At glance in warm-ups reminded me of a Drazen Petrovic-type, still needs to develop to approach anything close to that level but there's a lot to like in both his frame and shooting touch, very comfortable spotting up at the arc and it will be fun to see him matched by some of the state's top defenders on the wing, could vault to elite status if dribble-drive game takes the next step. OTHERS TO WATCH: Tremain Davis (not present, North Cobb Christian), Zach Cepress (Harrison), Ryan Bellomy (2023, Harrison), Avery Marshall (Harrison), Caleb Barner (North Paulding)