Small Town Players to Watch: 2024
In this article:
Not everybody is necessarily afforded the same exposure opportunities. Metro Atlanta is known for its next level talent and rightfully so, but there are talented players scattered throughout Georgia in rural areas and cities just too far for most to…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingNot everybody is necessarily afforded the same exposure opportunities. Metro Atlanta is known for its next level talent and rightfully so, but there are talented players scattered throughout Georgia in rural areas and cities just too far for most to know intimately. Here’s a look at some of the Peach State’s better players tucked away in small schools dispersed throughout the GHSA.
If you follow small school basketball, you know Elijah Coleman Elijah Coleman 5’11” | PG Portal | 2024 State GA has been one of Class A-Public’s best point guards since Day 1. Elijah is a heat seeking missile when it comes to getting to the rim and drawing fouls. Although his attempts have dropped off each season, Coleman has shot a robust 403 free throws through 81 career games. While not getting to the line as much, Coleman has enjoyed improvement from beyond the three-point line, increasing his average each season from 23% to 28% to 34% as a junior. Elijah is coming off a campaign in which he averaged 13.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.7 steals, guiding the Panthers to a 28-2 mark. Coleman is drawing interest and offers as a football player.
A Second Team All-State selection and Co-Region 1-A D-II Player of the Year, Jasiyah Suber Jasiyah Suber 6’2″ | SG Calhoun County | 2024 State GA is an explosive athlete that can score from all three levels. He’s electric as a downhill slasher and is a threat to stop and pop from the three-point line.
Highlights
Welch has deep range and a quick trigger from beyond the arc, but he has also improved his off the dribble game becoming more of a well-rounded scorer. He averaged 14.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in Rabun County’s run-and-run offense, connecting on 58-200 (29%) of his threes.
A dual sport star that also shines on the gridiron, Antonio Scott Antonio Scott 6’2″ | PG Veterans | 2024 State GA was named Region 4-A D-II Co-Player of the Year and earned All-State Honorable Mention. Scott is a blur in the open floor, snagging rebounds to go coast-to-coast. Antonio is a strong athlete that plays above the rim. His motor is one of his best attributes. While he is a scoring-minded guard, Scott also is an impactful defender and a talented playmaker that sees the floor off the bounce.
Burns can jump with the best of them. Another dual sport standout, Justin is a long-armed swingman that does his damage around the rim. Burns gets on the glass routinely and is most effective from 15-feet and in. Burns will occasionally knock down the mid-range jumper and three-point shot. Defensively, Justin’s athleticism and quality size allow him to pick up multiple positions. Burns filled the box score as a junior, averaging 16 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 1 block per game.
A transfer from Stephens County, Aaron Scott Aaron Scott 5’9″ | PG Banks County | 2024 State GA became an invaluable catalyst for the Banks County Leopards in the backcourt. The jitterbug tallied 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.5 steals per game. Scott enjoys playing at a quick tempo, but is also sound enough to penetrate and kick out to open shooters in the halfcourt. A two-way player, Scott is a pest of an on-ball defender.