Battle For GA: 5 Can’t Miss Guys From The Weekend

<p>Even in an invite-only format it was still a large field for the always fun Battle for GA at LakePoint last weekend. From a packed 3 days of basketball, here are 5 guys who really stood out to me as either risers or guys who cemented their place as July Live periods get cooking:</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049219" first="London" last="Johnson"], 6-4, PG, 2023, Game Elite (Norcross)</strong></em></p> <p>Polish, poise, intangibles, acumen - the adjectives flow when talking about Johnson’s game as he had it all on display averaging 20+ ppg for Game Elite as they took home the 16U title, such an ability to score from any level both with length and quickness off the bounce, can live in the mid-range and kill you all day or you can back off the dribble penetration and he can light you from 3-land, he has that terrific handle that can be flashy and controlled all at the same time but never seems forced or overdone, playing in backcourt rotation that includes Roswell’s [player_tooltip player_id="873086" first="Jase" last="McCullough"] and Mays’ [player_tooltip player_id="957136" first="Saulamon" last="Evans"] it can be a real clinic of athletic skill and highlight reel stuff, you watch him work the floor and it quickly becomes obvious how prepared he is for the next level and how much work and natural talent is inherent in his game.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1054797" first="Jayden" last="Williams"], 6-9, PF, 2024, Atlanta Celtics (Hebron Christian)</strong></em></p> <p>Not hyperbole to say he was the top big man of the weekend amongst a pretty awesome group of guys over 6-7 assembled at 3 age groups, sure he can score in close and has nice touch on a J out to 12 feet, but it’s the defensive presence at such a young age that is awe-inspiring, rim protection doesn’t even cover it as his impressive wingspan and lightning-quick lateral movement make him nearly impossible to drive on, his serious lift off the deck is compounded by a 6-9 frame meaning your floater game or sneaky reverse layups are mostly doomed, add to all that a high IQ defender’s mentality as he knows what you’re up to, almost unfair to have him and Sandy Creek’s monster stud [player_tooltip player_id="1050448" first="Micah" last="Smith"] in the same frontcourt, Williams though has all the tools to develop into a big-time D1 big man.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1201468" first="Brasen" last="James"], 6-2, SG, 2022, Atlanta Lightning (Evans)</strong></em></p> <p>Right out of the car first game up vs BCB James had an incredible shooting performance knocking down 4 threes before most folks in the gym had their second sip of coffee, backcourt mates Devin Story for both the Lightning and at Evans has been so good all spring (as has underrated Joshton Mincey who’s off to TD Prep) and early summer James perhaps hasn’t been receiving enough pub, he’s got a solid frame for the 2-spot and his shooting all weekend was spot-on, worthy of serious attention from coaches as everyone loves and needs knockdown shooters with plenty of confidence and range, a ride to Augusta this fall and winter to see the high-level hoops taking place out there at Evans and other schools in the area is advisable.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="870203" first="Braden" last="Pierce"], 6-11, C, 2022, Georgia Legacy (pictured above, River Ridge)</strong></em></p> <p>His Sunday head to head with Team Huncho’s 6-10 [player_tooltip player_id="870148" first="Malique" last="Ewin"] in the 17U quarterfinals was as good as it gets on the HS level, the fascinating development of this player has been well-documented both by me and others, the arsenal of moves has deepened, the confidence more importantly has soared as it’s not just a catch and kick to a shooter, when he gets the ball in a position to score he’s thinking 2 points and/or a foul, has skilled guards like Sequoyah’s Kyle Kenner and Pebblebrook’s [player_tooltip player_id="870158" first="Kami" last="Young"] to get him the ball, the shot-blocking and rebounding alone have vaulted him into contention for a D1 look but with the offensive variety having come so far it means Power 5 programs (such as a recent unofficial visit with Ole Miss) will surely be spending plenty of time at Legacy games the rest of the month and into the fall up in Cherokee County.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1054790" first="Aiden" last="Sherrell"], 6-9, PF, 2024, Atlanta XPress (Norcross)</strong></em></p> <p>Goes without saying this Norcross team with Sherrell, Johnson and a host of other serious risers will be fun, but this past weekend it was impressive to see how far Sherrell has come in such a short span, I saw him in late February working out with Xpress and while the skills were tantalizing it looked like he was still growing into his frame and finding out where on the floor he fit best, all of that has come into focus in July as he had a really nice June with the Blue Devils and was thoroughly dominant in spurts for Xpress, love seeing the extended shooting range all the way out to the arc, like the other big guys on this list his agility is a key and he can erase shots in bunches, gets good looks from the distributing of outstanding guards [player_tooltip player_id="1131770" first="Christian" last="Anderson"] of Lovett and Michael Pace of Mt Pisgah, soft hands and improving movement with and without the ball as he indeed does get comfortable in his frame means big things for this fast-rising big.</p>