#The Platform: Top GA Performers Pt 1

Keith Agran

July 14, 2021 @ 10:09 AM

A jam-packed live period event in Birmingham concluded Sunday, and a slew of Georgia performers stood out among nearly 300 teams in attendance. Here’s Part 1 of some of the top guys across all 3 age groups I saw at The Platform (in no particular order): Jayquan Nelson, 6-0, CG, Rome Elite 17U Love the burst up the floor and on the attack in the halfcourt, surprised almost everyone matching him with the speed and blow-by, confident scorer from all levels with the 3-point stroke and deft handle being his most lethal weapons, can get up into you at the defensive end, smart distributor and has a nice collection of athletes led by 6-10 Damien Horton to dish to for in-tight finishes. Jaylen Nelson, 6-1, SG, Rome Elite 17U Equally if not more confident than Jayquan when it comes to getting his chances, attacks with a fearlessness, has no back down and plays more like a 6-5 guard, physical frame means he will seek out and play through contact effectively, can handle the point but seems most comfortable in the open floor or off the catch, the kind of baller you want with the ball in a one-possession key shot situation. [player_tooltip player_id="1050046" first="Ahmed" last="Soumahoro"], 6-3, SG, Quiet Storm 17U (pictured above) Wowed many a coach and fan with his explosive leaping ability and acrobatic finishing yet again, few better pure athletes in the entire division even with all the blue-chip names from across the country on hand, outside shooting consistency has come a long way and is a viable weapon to augment the dribble-drive package and explosion in the open floor, can creep onto small D1 radars with his continued eye-opening above the rim and improved perimeter play. Fabian Desilva, 6-5, CG, Quiet Storm 17U I’ve consistently characterized many of his matchups as men vs boys and there was little change in B’Ham, his work converting to a hybrid PG is making rapid improvement and changes the whole dynamic of his recruitment, from that spot he has plenty of speed and creativity to either bllow by you or power his way past smaller defenders, when he dips down low as has been his position in the past he can still show off an array of moves in close, like Soumahoro has been too good to not perhaps warrant viable looks from small D1 programs. Gregory Kearney, 6-0, SG, Quiet Storm 17U Among the better pure shooters from distance I saw all weekend, epitomizes the modern spot-up bomber, loves getting to the arc where his picture-perfect stroke and quick release is a serious weapon, in 2 games I saw hit big 3’s to either bring Storm back or keep a surging opponent at bay, has what next-level programs desire in droves and that’s an ability to stroke it from all ranges and a willingness to pull it with confidence. Coen Carr, 6-5, SF, Georgia Stars EYBL 16U Has come so far since last summer when his athletic gifts were readily apparent but the game seemed to just be entering a high-level phase, he’s firmly established as a mid to high D1 prospect now just in time for him to leave the GA for greener pastures at Legacy Early College in SC, to me clearly a SF as his long-range shooting is in progress but his work in the open floor off the catch or on the break is where he makes his hay, so athletic and springy he’s a major handful to deal with with a head of steam toward the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="948818" first="Lamariyon" last="Jordan"], 6-5, SG, Georgia Stars EYBL 16U Had a 2nd half Friday against Illinois HoopStars that showed off all the impressive traits scouts speak so glowingly about, the 3-pt shooting stroke was there to go with the elegant finishing in the open floor, the glider combines power from a terrific frame with artistic movement near the basket, there’s just so much in his overall package to like, will need to continue shoring up his ballhandling against tight and skilled defenders as he’ll need that at the next level to take his dribble penetration game to the highest D1 level where his talent clearly belongs. Parker Axam, 5-10, PG, COD Elite 17U Every time I see him he gets more and more intriguing, the combination of lead guard moxie and deep shooting prowess is the formula for today’s PG’s, he’s poised and skilled with the ball and makes excellent decisions for himself and others, paired nicely with fellow Decatur HS SG Henry Willis to form a dangerous 3-pt shooting combo, has a sneaky burst to the basket and is a very good passer in tight quarters, with some underrated finishers like Jacob Ruark, Andrew Daniels and Amir Ford on the other end COD can be a problem for teams that don’t bring it.