PrepHoopsTN Combine Evaluations: Part I
In this article:
PICTURED: Justin Barrera Justin Barrera 5'9" | PG William Blount | 2026 TN .
October always ushers in the Fall @PrepHoopsTN Combine. The Battle Ground Academy gym hosted high energy. Read about several of the campers with their evaluations from the day. All of the quoted portions are evaluations from the player’s 5v5 coach, who stayed with them through about 6-7 games (16 min running clock). All measurements/times are listed in the linked article.
Braedon Kelley Braedon Kelley 6'5" | SG East Hickman | 2024 State TN | SF/SG | East Hickman | 2024
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2024
- 6’5″ SG
- Camp Ranking — #3
- State Ranking — Top 100
- @PrepHoopsTN Combine All-Star
- Shredder Award (Slashing)
“Very, very athletic. Very long. Can finish well around the rim,” said Coach Leftway. “Can shoot it a little bit, but his biggest attribute is his defense. He is able to slide his feet, is able to play on bigs but he is also to guard the guards. Really versatile. Really versatile.”
Coach Leftway projects that Kelly can play in college. “Yeah, I think so. At least at the JuCo level, I think he will be a really good two-way player,” said Coach Leftway. “Like I said once he develops his shot more it will take him to the next level, but for now he is really versatile.”
Great day. Braedon delivered the Play of the Day, dunking during a halfcourt drill. Kelly competed just a month back at the PrepHoops Expo in Bartlett, TN. He was above average there, but suffered a minor ding and did not get to finish the event. Sunday in Franklin, Tennessee, Braedon did everything just right. He attacked the rim. He took the open three and hit them. Kelly’s eagerness to use his strength on the drive or in traffic is encouraging. He was often attacking guys his size or bigger and he still managed to get up a good look.
The speed and quickness impressed, especially for a 6-foot-5 guard. Braedon Kelly posted a 3.16 second sprint and a 12.22 second lane agility time.
PrepHoopsTN Combine: The Measurements – Prep Hoops
Cornelius Marshall Cornelius Marshall 5'9" | PG Pope Prep | 2027 State TN | PG | Pope Prep | 2027
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2027
- 5’8″ SG
- Camp Ranking — #30
- State Ranking — Watch List
“Long arms,” said Coach Leftway. “Finishes well around the rim. Gotta develop his shot. Also, has to get a little bit better defensively. But as far as finishing around the rim and craftiness…he has a great handle. I think it is just being able to sit down on defense and knock down shots when you are open at least is what he needs to work on for sure.”
Cornelius is decently agile. He needs to be ever quicker and craftier with the dribble, if he is to thrive as an undersized varsity point guard.
Check his times in the sprint and agility drills. His foundation for success is impressive.
PrepHoopsTN Combine: The Measurements – Prep Hoops
Garrison Eady Garrison Eady 6'2" | PG Blackman | 2025 State TN | PG | Blackman | 2025
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2025
- 6’2″ PG
- Camp Ranking — #6
- State Ranking — Top 45
- @PrepHoopsTN Combine All-Star
“Great guard,” said Coach Leftway. Can handle real well. Can finish around the rim. Also, can shoot it extremely well. I think he is in a situation where he just needs to continue to develop his skills. He can do everything pretty decent. It is just about taking that one thing and taking it to the next level. Like I said he can shoot and space the floor. He is long enough to play defense on anybody. Good handle and he can get to the rim at will.”
Is he quick enough to play point guard at the college level? “I think he is quick enough,” said Coach Leftway. “He has to get stronger.”
Garrison Eady Garrison Eady 6'2" | PG Blackman | 2025 State TN ‘s pull-up jumper was one of, if not, the best during the drill portion. Eady is a balanced guard with many skills beyond the development stage and ready for refinement. He can become a better outside shooter, but he is anything but a liability from deep. Great basketball I.Q. Fantastic. Proud hooper with none of the destructive ego some strong players own.
PrepHoopsTN Combine: The Measurements – Prep Hoops
Avyion McCleton Avyion McCleton PG Cane Ridge | 2025 State TN | PG | Cane Ridge | 2025
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2025 PG
- Camp Ranking — #9
- State Ranking — Top 100
- @PrepHoopsTN Combine All-Star
“Great little guard,” said Coach Leftway. “Can finish around the rim. He can shoot it from just about anywhere, has great range. Sits down on defense. I think he is your ideal point guard. Heart over height. I think he controls your offense. He does pretty much everything well. Shoots at a high clip. Like I said he has a good handle, doesn’t really lose the ball, and can finish. At least a JuCo prospect.”
Very quick. Avyion did not always fly back in defensive transition. It was a long day of basketball, but hopefully this is not embedded in his game. Likely, he erases the lapses in high school games where possessions are more vital. Historically, he is a sound on-ball defender. Can add some upper-body muscle.
McCleton’s game comes alive on offense. He did a little of everything, especially against the younger guards.
All-around guard. Avyion impressed with his first-step quickness and outside shooting in particular. But, beyond that McCleton was razor sharp with the dribble. Even when heavily pressured, he managed to evade a trap or out-quick a feisty defender’s hands.
PrepHoopsTN Combine: The Measurements – Prep Hoops
Reese Smith Reese Smith 5'9" | PG Lincoln County | 2026 TN | PG/SG | Lincoln County | 2026
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2026
- 5’9″ PG
- Camp Ranking — #36
- State Ranking — Watch List
“ Reese Smith Reese Smith 5'9" | PG Lincoln County | 2026 TN has got to get better on defense,” said Coach Leftway. “Has to develop a jump shot, be able to knock down shots is very pivotal, but he is good at spacing the floor. He is good at running in transition. He is one of those players that does all of the little things right. He just has to lock in on the skill side of it.”
PrepHoopsTN Combine: The Measurements – Prep Hoops
Justin Barrera Justin Barrera 5'9" | PG William Blount | 2026 TN | PG | William Blount | 2026
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2026
- 5’6″ PG
- Camp Ranking — #33
“Solid little guard,” said Coach Leftway. “Has a good handle. Real twitchy. Good ball-handler. Is a little bit inconsistent when it comes to shooting and also doesn’t really try to get to the rim and attack. Right? That could be not being strong enough or not having the confidence, but he does not want to get to the rim. He would rather shoot, but when he does shoot it he makes it.”
PrepHoopsTN Combine: The Measurements – Prep Hoops
William Knight Jr. William Knight Jr. 5'9" | SG Riverdale | 2027 State TN . | SG | Riverdale | 2027
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2027
- 5’9″ PG
- Camp Ranking — #29
- State Ranking — Watch List
Fast. Handle was ok. William Knight Jr. William Knight Jr. 5'9" | SG Riverdale | 2027 State TN . was an energy guy. The younger guys gave up size and strength to the older campers, as expected. Knight Jr. will be yet another dribble/drive Riverdale guard. His outside shot needs to improve. He showed quick feet and the shot looked fine up-top. Working on getting the same foundation and balance for every jumper should be a focus.