#PepsiNationals Backcourt Ballers

The previous article I dropped talked about the post players at #PepsiNationals, so this time I will dive into a few of the guards that were backcourt ballers. Let’s take a look at a few…

Loghan Johnson (5’5/PG/’26) 

Team: 662 Showstoppers

Instagram: loghansowavyy

Twitter: N/A

Loghan showed a lot of promise at #PepsiNationals and has the potential to develop into a prospect that could draw the attention of eyes over the next few years. There was nothing that he did not show throughout the weekend as he scored the rock from all levels, facilitated the offense, was a vocal leader, and defended. He is a tireless, headstrong attacker off the dribble and a confident pick-and-roll practitioner with the ball in his hands, as well as a nightmare for defenders when he is in iso situations and attacking, creating for himself and his teammates. He is going to have to continue to get stronger and hone his ability to create space off the bounce and create space to get his shot off. 

Loghan showed a lot of promise at #PepsiNationals and has the potential to develop into a prospect that could draw the attention of eyes over the next few years.

Terry J. Drake

Nash Cochran (5’3/PG/’27) 

Team: No Name

Instagram: nash.cochran_2

Twitter: N/A

Nash is a true floor general who knows how to orchestrate the game. He knows how to set his teammates up to be productive as he is an unselfish teammate that makes it a point to get everyone involved. He is instinctive with the ball in his hands, and there were times when it looked as though Nash saw plays developing before they happened. When scoring opportunities present themselves, he takes advantage and is efficient with the opportunities at all levels. He is the epitome of a coach on the floor, plays under control, and keeps his squad in rhythm. He has to continue working on being a knock-down 3pt shooter and a more aggressive on-ball defender.

Nash is a true floor general who knows how to orchestrate the game.

Terry J. Drake

Christian Clair (5’2/CG/’28) 

Team: Elfrid Payton Elite

Instagram: 5starchriss

Twitter: N/A

This 5’2 floor general was a joy to watch as he is an impressive PG for his age. He can handle the rock, and he uses his ability to keep the ball on a string as a tool to help him get by defenders. He is a young shifty playmaker with a lot of potential and a good understanding of the game at a young age. He is listed as a combo guard, which is ok for now as he continues to explore playing on and off the ball. Currently, he is able to produce in both positions, but he is at his best when the ball is in his hands, and he is free to make plays for himself and his teammates. Right now, his playmaking ability is one of his greatest attributes. As I encourage all players to do at this age, I encourage Christian to do the same thing: work on his overall game and continue getting better at all things.  

This 5’2 floor general was a joy to watch as he is an impressive PG for his age.

Terry J. Drake

Kole Miller (5’0/PG/’29) 

Team: Memphis Bulldogs

Instagram: ExoticKole

Twitter: N/A

Kole is a rising 6th grader that has a nice game at an early age. Offensively, he can score at all levels, make on-time and on-target passes and keep his squad’s offense running fluid. He has a quick first step and a quick burst when attacking off the bounce. He is a shifty ball-handler that knows how to change pace and directions. He has a good foundation to build upon, and his development will be one to keep an eye on over the next few years. Kole is the type of player many will try to bestow a lot of hype on at an early age. Though it may be warranted, I want to encourage Kole to not allow the outside noise to distract him from continuing to stay in the lab and put in the work to become the player in the long run that he is showing glimpses of that he can become.  

Kole is a rising 6th grader that has a nice game at an early age.

Terry J. Drake

Logan Pride (4’6/PG/’28) 

Team: Memphis Wareagles

Instagram: iso_logan

Twitter: N/A

Logan made his initial impression on the defensive end of the floor as he was aggressive with his on-ball defensive pressure and active hands that led to several steals and defense turning into offense. Offensively he has a nice touch in the paint as he showed a go-to runner that he scored off several times. At 4’6, he plays at a low center of gravity and handles the ball well. He is a hard-nosed player who impacts the game on both ends of the floor, but the biggest question that will surround Logan’s game is, will he grow? Time will eventually give us an answer to that question and will allow a clearer picture to be painted of Logan’s trajectory.

Offensively he has a nice touch in the paint as he showed a go-to runner that he scored off several times.

Terry J. Drake

Eliseo Barbosa (5’6/CG/’26) 

Team: Wildcat Nation

Instagram: N/A

Twitter: N/A

I was able to put eyes on Eliseo a couple times throughout the weekend, and he showed that he is a do-it-all caliber player. There was not a lot of flash to his game, but he was a stable contributor on both ends of the floor. He can switch between the on-ball and off-ball positions and bring the same impact at both positions. He is a smart and disciplined ball-handler that is trustworthy as a floor general. While at the off-ball spot, he is a heady playmaking guard that can score and create scoring opportunities for teammates based on the threat of his ability to score. Eliseo is a player that coaches deem a luxury and a player they can rely on when he is out on the court.  

There was not a lot of flash to his game, but he was a stable contributor on both ends of the floor.

Terry J. Drake