GBA National Hoops Series IV: Perimeter Threats Pt 1

Keith Agran June 3, 2021 @ 10:13 AM

Great venue and a fun tournament last Saturday and Sunday at the Cobb Galleria as Prep Hoops GA dropped in for the boys and girls action across 12 courts. Put on by the Georgia Basketball Association, Northeast Cobb Basketball and Tournaments R Us, there was plenty of talent on hand from both in-state and out, and a whole slew of names to watch moving forward emerged. Here we look at Part 1 of some top Georgia perimeter threats who showed off skill at multiple levels from a packed weekend: Jaylen Nelson, 6-0, PG, Rome Elite, 2021 (Rome) The unsigned 2021 has nice explosion both with the ball and off the deck, good scoring PG who creates well with that burst both for himself and others, can score in bunches and also takes good care of the ball as a lead man, has moments on D with that kind of foot speed but would love to see more of a consistent motor there. Jack Thomas, 6-3, CG, Reach Higher Kings, 2023 (pictured above, King’s Ridge) Were I doing All-Tournament teams he’d be an easy 1st team selection, dynamic scorer from the guard spot who can easily handle the ball in a lead role or slide over to the wing and be a devastating downhill attacker or bomber from 3, the full package was on display all weekend as he sliced and diced defenses off the bounce, shot a solid % from past the arc, created like a seasoned point guard, rebounded like a power forward and defended multiple spots, reminds of rising stud [player_tooltip player_id="1130590" first="Jack" last="Hewitt"] at North Cobb Christian and is a big-time player on the move in the ATL-Metro. Kyan Bullock, 6-1, SG, SBT, 2023 (North Cobb) With rising star Demonte Pellot playing up Bullock was able to show off some of his downhill attacking qualities with his good frame and aggressive approach, doesn’t shy away from contact and scores through it well, his first step off the dribble is excellent and his work on the glass from the guard spot showed off his athletic talents, part of an exciting young nucleus for the NCHS. Julius Strahorn, 5-10, PG, SBT, 2023 (Kell) A prototypical Kell type of PG in the mold of a [player_tooltip player_id="869606" first="Najhae" last="Colon"], strong, stout and fearless he too has benefitted from another rising star [player_tooltip player_id="1050124" first="Jalan" last="Johnson"] playing up and the ball being his to move and create, he pushes pace well and sees the floor, likes getting it into traffic and is powerful enough to get up to the basket or deft enough to find an open teammate, active defender on the ball with good hands. Shaun Smith, 5-8, PG, SBT, 2024 (Mount Paran) Very impressed with the poise and control of his PG-game, low-to-the-ground- strong he cuts through defenses like a running back and always has his head on a swivel, quickly goes from scoring mode to distributor and really gets after it at the defensive end. Jacob Bryant, 6-1, CG, Milton Spurs JH, 2024 (Alpharetta) Very athletic with good length at 6-1 or so, quick and creative with the ball but not out of control, can really knock it down from 3-land, has good instincts for cutting up defenses and was impressive on the offensive glass, smart defender who sees the angles well. Michael Thomas, 5-10, CG, Milton Spurs JH, 2024 (Milton) Not as big or long as Bryant but has a very similar skill package, really good speed off the bounce and attacks at a pace ahead of most other defenders, also likes to linger a the 3-point line and wiil make you pay, a sly defender with quick feet and stingy hands. Devon Sweat, 5-10, PG, Upward Stars North ATL-Navy, 2022 (Cornerstone Prep) Among the better PG’s I saw all weekend for his tough combination of 3-point bombing and deceptive quickness into the teeth of the D, really caught folks off guard with his ability to create space or deftly find a spot to get off his sweet long-range jumper, excellent handle as well gives him a good assist-to-turnover ratio.