#TerryTalks: Emerging Players From Under the Rader
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HoopSeen Bama Jam was loaded with talent, and here are some players I feel are emerging from under the radar… Darian Hamilton Darian Hamilton 6'5" | C Calera | 2026 AL (6’5/PF|C/’26/Iron City Huskies) IG: thtsHimDe / IronCityHuskies_2026 X: @darianmh0…
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Continue ReadingHoopSeen Bama Jam was loaded with talent, and here are some players I feel are emerging from under the radar…
Darian Hamilton Darian Hamilton 6'5" | C Calera | 2026 AL (6’5/PF|C/’26/Iron City Huskies)
IG: thtsHimDe / IronCityHuskies_2026
X: @darianmh0 / @Iron City Huskies 2026
Darian is a frontcourt talent who was very aggressive in his search for his offense. Whether he was playing with his back to the basket or playing out of the face-up, he went hard to the cup. He showed a lot of versatility, mobility, and athleticism. He plays well through contact and uses his body well. He has ideal length, which helps him finish over defenders, defend multiple positions, and compete on the boards.
Ahmod Billins Ahmod Billins 6'1" | PG Abbeville | 2026 State AL (6’1/PG/’26/Bars Elite)
IG: modwitdashifts / barselite_
X: @ModYaboi / @BARSElite_
Ahmod was a steady presence at the lead guard spot for his squad. He listed himself as 6’1 on his profile, but it looked like he had another inch, which is why, in my notes, I mentioned he has positional size. He had a very good floor game in which he controlled pace, was poised, set up teammates off the bounce, and kept the ball moving, which kept the offense fluid and not stagnant. Ahmod wasn’t flashy, just solid while being the coach on the floor and making winning plays.
Jones Cleary Jones Cleary 6'1" | CG Vestavia Hills | 2025 State AL (6’0/PG/’25/Magic City Jayhawks)
IG: Jones_cleary / Mcjayhawks
X: @jonescleary / @mcjayhawks
I have seen Jones’ maturation process, and he has become a solid perimeter player who is extremely heady and skilled. He shoots the ball well from the perimeter, can put it on the floor and get to his middle game, and is one of the best passers in the state. He will be a valuable piece to his high school team next year, but the question remains: will he change his mind regarding looking to play at the next level because he has the talent to find a spot somewhere. He had a good tourney controlling the offense and scoring for his squad; he even made a game-winning shot.
Eli Mcnally (6’4/CG/’25/ Auburn Raptors )
IG: e.mcnally24 / AuburnRaptors
X: @elimcnally24 / @AuburnRaptor
Eli is listed as a combo guard but spent a lot of time in the post, mainly due to the size of his team. In most cases, he is considered an undersized post, but for the level at which he was competing at the tourney, he was able to get away with it. He is a physically tough player who competes on both ends of the floor. He really did a good job in the game I saw rebounding at a high rate. He has an emerging combination of power and strength and uses them to impact the game and his position.
Drew Susce (5’10/CG/’26/Team 205)
IG: drewsusce.5 / Team205_
Drew is a walking bucket, and when he got it going from behind the arc, he showed to be one of the best three-point shooters in the tourney. He can handle the rock and get anywhere on the court he pleases, where he is masterful at getting his shot off. In the match-up against Pro One , he finished with 6 trey balls, as he is a knockdown shooter who shoots with confidence. He steps into his shots off the bounce, gets his shots off coming off screens, and can get it done in catch-and-shoot situations. He has adequate athleticism and needs to continue working on his quickness off the bounce. His team needed scoring, and Drew tried to accommodate it, but in the midst of that, his teammates got disengaged. I would like to see him be able to provide the scoring that his team needs while still making sure he gets his teammates involved.
Calvin Thomas (6’5/F/’26/ Pro One )
IG: 4wondr._/ proonebc
X: @CalvinThomas_6 / @Pro1Basketball
Calvin is a hybrid athlete who impacts the game in numerous ways. He is a solid screener and roll guy who showed good hands catching passes on his roll to the rim. It became the norm to see him during one possession setting screens, then a possession or two later, you would see him creating off the bounce for himself or his teammates. When he was getting into the paint off the dribble, he showed his finishing ability as, in many cases, he was just too big for his defender. Calvin appears to have many skills, such as good hands, good instincts, and an overall good feel for the game, which helps on both ends of the floor.