Southern Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest took place at [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams'] Sportsplex and a couple other venues in the 757 last weekend, and this year was a little different as it was a live period for division one college coaches to attend,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While it didn't have the many shoe company matchups it has had in the past, it was full of some of the top independent teams from across the state and up and down the east coast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of some of the 17U standouts from VA teams in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956065' first='Jackson' last='Britt'] | 6'3” CG | Higher Level Premier 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2446216,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageMDqyXI.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageMDqyXI.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2446216" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Britt continued his big spring and put some college coaches onto his game as he headed one of the most impressive backcourts in the event for HL. The 6'3” combo scored the ball efficiently and smoothly, making it look easy even when it wasn't. He showed the ability to create space off the bounce, make shots off the catch and he was excellent in the midrange playing off of two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1339892' first='Julian' last='Rivera'] | 6'1” PG | Higher Level Premier 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2288361,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-04-at-11.48.45-AM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-04-at-11.48.45-AM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2288361" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rivera impressed college coaches by just being himself, which is a gritty leader and team player who makes plays across the board for his team. His defensive instincts and knack for making plays was on display with many deflections and steals that turned into easy points on the other end. He made plays for others off the bounce, scored it when he had to and brought great energy to his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chance Perkins | 6'2” WG | Higher Level Premier 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1605059,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Perkins-Chance-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Perkins-Chance-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1605059" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perkins is another part of this impressive backcourt and is arguably the most talented shot maker of the group, as he can make tough shots from all over the floor. He showed his microwave scoring ability, getting hot quickly and scoring it in bunches. He showed his deep range, ability to work on or off the ball to create shots and his athleticism as a finisher too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225266' first='Jeremiah' last='Gorham'] | 5'11” PG | Global Squad 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gorham runs with Rivera and Perkins on Highland School during the high school season, and he continued his strong spring with Global Squad at Southern. He plays with a lot of talent on the wings and in the post, and his ability to get in the teeth of the defense makes everything happen for them. He is super quick and shifty off the bounce, he can score it from multiple levels and he sets the tone defensively too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2242387' first='Tykie' last='Jones'] | 6'4” WF | [program_tooltip program_id='2248971' first='River' last='City Reign'] 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2446218,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageq4IgpE.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageq4IgpE.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2446218" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones put up some great performances for RCR this weekend, as the Henrico wing showed a lot of game and grit throughout the event. He scored the ball efficiently throughout the event, showing the ability to work on and off the ball as well. He was excellent in the midrange making tough fall aways and pull-ups, he finished well around the rim and he used his length as a defender and rebounder as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494114' first='David' last='Miller'] | 6'6” PF | Team Loaded 757 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1605058,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Miller-David-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Miller-David-CBG-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1605058" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller has been one of the top players in the Beach and on the HGSL over the past few years, and he showed nothing has changed as he was one of the most productive players throughout the event. He's a perfect example of a new age forward who has the ability to impact the game in a number of ways. He showed the strength to bang in the paint on both ends, he made shots from the midrange and from deep and he showed good ball skills as a shot creator for himself and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489096' first='Ellis' last='Wright'] | 6'5” WF | Team Loaded 757 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wright has been a player on the radar for years who has steadily gotten better and is now one of the better available 2024 prospects who could be a steal for someone this late. At 6'5” he has great size and length on the perimeter, and he played with great confidence and was aggressive in good ways. He shot the ball at a very high clip off the bounce, he wasn't afraid to take big shots when his team needed him to and he made plays defensively too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aydon Evans | 5'10” CG | Team Loaded VB City 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans made a splash at the live period against some very talented teams, showing he could be one of the breakout players in the 757 this year. The 5'10” guard was moved off the ball a lot as this VB City team has a lot of talented ball handlers, but he made teams pay for overlooking him and focusing on the others. He was lights out from deep hitting multiple threes in every game including one with six threes, showing deep range and brought great energy to his team on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->