#GBCALive: Day 1 Immediate Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Georgia Basketball Coaches Association has once again put on, in my opinion, the best event in the month of June for high school teams to compete in front of college coaches. Here are a few guys that stood out to me on Day One… </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1493997,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/PH-Simon-Walker-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/PH-Simon-Walker-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1493997" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398759' first='Simon' last='Walker']</strong> (6'5/Wing/'25/Huntsville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: simonwwalker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Simonwwalker25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I am not sure if anyone had a better Day 1 than Simon. He had it going from the jump as he shot the cover off the ball in front of bleachers full of college coaches. He really helped his stock with his performance as he showed the evolution of his game after being run off the line. He made the midi and made good decisions with the rock when he put it on the floor. He was energetic and had that pop in his game that high-level players have when the lights are on. His jump shooting will be his calling card at the next level, as he has range and is one of the best to do it in the nation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2474985,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Colben-Landrew-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Colben-Landrew-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2474985" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958491' first='Colben' last='Landrew']&nbsp;</strong>(6'6/CG/'26/Wheeler HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: iamcolbenlandrew</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Colben has made the move from being a two-way star at Thompson HS (AL) to focusing on the hardwood at Wheeler. Since I last saw him early this spring, he has done a good job working on his body. He is slimmer yet still has bulk and is moving better off the bounce. He started out fast against his former in-state opponent, Huntsville, as he shot it well from the three and made plays off the bounce. He was efficient, stayed in his team's concept, and did not try to do much with so many eyes on the game. He fits right in with the Wheeler squad and will be key to their success next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2474986,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Tristan-Thompson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Tristan-Thompson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2474986" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tristan Thompson</strong> (6'5/SF/'25/Wilson HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Treetop_06</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Treetop_06</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">One of the most potent and prolific scorers I saw on Day 1 was Tristan. He has good positional size and is a bucket and a threat to score every time the ball touches his hands. He is a gifted, versatile scorer with a lot of fluidity in his game, as he covers the court with his length and long strides when in attack mode. He is at his best when he is attacking off the bounce. He is a really good finisher in the paint, as he displayed his athleticism by finishing above the rim in traffic and through contact. One thing that really sealed the deal with me when it came to Tristan was when the game was tight going down the stretch, and he could have easily called his own number; he created a scoring opportunity for his teammate and dished the rock, trusting his teammates to take the shot. He played at a high level on a big stage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2474987,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Carl-CJ-Geathers-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Carl-CJ-Geathers-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2474987" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Carl (CJ) Geathers</strong> (6'5/SG/'25/Chapel Hill HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: cj_geathers1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @CJGeathers1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">CJ has tremendous athleticism and was flying around making plays throughout the entire game I watched him compete in. He caught several lobs, had strong finishes at the rim through traffic, and shot the ball extremely well from behind the arc. Outside of [player_tooltip player_id='1398759' first='Simon' last='Walker'], CJ shot the ball better than anyone I saw on Day 1 from behind the arc. He showed that he can be productive and impact the game in a variety of ways as he left his imprint across the stat sheet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2474988,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Joshua-Mickell-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Joshua-Mickell-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2474988" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Joshua Mickell</strong> (6'2/PG/'25/BEST Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jmadejosh</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @joshmickell2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Josh is a smooth lefty who was one of the best two-way players I saw on Day 1. Whether in transition or in the half-court, he was a difficult cover. He is a player who demands 10 eyes to be on him at all times. He plays on and off the ball, and his production does not diminish as he maneuvers through either position. He is a well-rounded and talented offensive player who was really good at knifing his way through the defense and can both finish and find open teammates. He is a tremendous playmaker on offense and was just as impactful on the defensive end of the floor. He gambles on defense a little more than he probably should, but as a coach, you do not want to take it away from him as it comes with his instincts and ability to play the passing lanes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2474989,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Sean-Owens-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Sean-Owens-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2474989" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sean Owens</strong> (6'2/PG/'25/Windermere HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: _sean.owensssss</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">x: @Sean_JOwens5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sean can stroke the rock, and his perimeter game was on full display. Whether he was knocking down the trey ball or getting to his spots in his middle game, Sean was cooking. He has a natural feel for the game and plays with a high IQ. His floor game is a mature one, and he is a solid, reliable lead guard who balances scoring and facilitating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->