SMI Holiday Classic: Top Wings/Forwards

<p><strong>SMI Holiday Classic: Top Wings/Forwards</strong></p> <p><strong>2024 6-6 W [player_tooltip player_id="1348529" first="Caleb" last="Odom"] – Villa Rica</strong></p> <p>A Power 5 football recruit, [player_tooltip player_id="1348529" first="Caleb" last="Odom"] was mightily impressive in Villa Rica’s 100-41 win over Mt. Zion. Caleb is blessed with a great frame that will continue to pack on muscle. He’s long and wiry with broad shoulders. Odom plays above the rim, collecting five dunks en route to 24 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Odom can play either inside or out. He’s got a soft touch, scoring on turnarounds and hook shots but can also put the ball on the floor and glide to the basket. Caleb powers through contact and is a highlight waiting to happen in transition. While football is his future, Odom has All-State potential in basketball.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-7 W Kannon Roberts – Villa Rica</strong></p> <p>Known for his three-point shooting, Kannon Roberts didn’t settle for outside shots against the much smaller frontcourt of Mt. Zion and instead put his head down and got to the rim. Roberts was graceful in transition, his long strides slicing through the defense as he finished with dunks and skillful eurosteps. D-III schools are starting to offer. When he plays aggressive and balances his attack, he can be tough to guard. Roberts posted 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-3 W [player_tooltip player_id="1348533" first="Christian" last="Terrell"] – Mt. Zion-Carrollton</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1348533" first="Christian" last="Terrell"] was a bright spot. The football standout is wiry and athletic. He can slash to the basket and elevate to finish with authority but also has a respectable outside shot. His length and bounciness make him a good perimeter defender that can also come down and help protect the rim. Terrell totaled 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. He’s a diamond in the rough.</p> <p><strong>2024 6-4 F Jordan Howe – Harrison</strong></p> <p>There aren’t many sophomores in the state as cut up as Jordan Howe. The physical specimen was a bull in the paint, overwhelming Bowdon with his offensive rebounding and ability to score through contact. The lefty muscles his way inside with hard backdowns and finishes with a nice touch. His passing from the high post wasn’t flashy but he always hit the open man. Howe tallied 12 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. He has an interesting future ahead.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-9 C [player_tooltip player_id="1300674" first="Ryan" last="Bellomy"] – Harrison</strong></p> <p>When [player_tooltip player_id="1300674" first="Ryan" last="Bellomy"] got off the bench, he caused issues with his size. It took him a little while to get into the flow of the game was Bowdon pressed throughout with their undersized lineup, but once Bellomy got comfortable he was able to clean the glass and finish around the rim. He had 8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks. Bellomy is still developing. His best basketball may loom in college. Schools will want to track his progress and think long-term about his potential upside.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-7 C [player_tooltip player_id="1348527" first="Tavi" last="Shivers"] – Villa Rica</strong></p> <p>At 6-foot-7, 270-pounds, [player_tooltip player_id="1348527" first="Tavi" last="Shivers"] is a mountain of a man. The lineman is a space eater on the floor. He has a well-proportioned body and moves ok for his size. He does a good job walling up defensively and blocking shots without jumping or fouling. Tavi is a good interior passer and doesn’t hesitate to hit the open man if defenses collapse on him. Shivers finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 3 blocks.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-6 F [player_tooltip player_id="1192666" first="Nicholas" last="Wadley"] – Harrison</strong></p> <p>Nick Wadley did an excellent job defending AJ Johnson. Wadley is super long and impressive with his lateral quickness, able to stay in front of guards. Wadley can defend 1-5 with terrific switchability. Offensively, he has a baby hook and can clean up misses. College coaches may want to keep Wadley’s name on their list. His upside defensively and room for growth offensively could land him on a roster.</p>