Big Shots Myrtle Beach Jam: Saturday’s Biggest Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Big Shots Myrtle Beach Jam began on Saturday at the John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center. This was my first-ever trip to the MB Sports Center and my first Big Shots event this Summer, setting the table for the first day of action. Check out these five prospects who most stood out at Day One of the Big Shots Myrtle Beach Jam:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2559202"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2854967,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6816d8dca2e1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading off my list of standouts from the Big Shots Myrtle Beach Jam is [player_tooltip player_id='2559202' first='Joel' last='Hodo'], who was playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2298066' first='The' last='Private Snipaz'] today. Hodo was a monster in Game Two, going for 22 points in a 30-point win. He started off by having success in transition, displaying his bounce at the rim and speed in the open floor. In the half-court, Joel doesn't waste dribbles and makes things happen quickly by slashing to the basket. He also works hard by crashing the offensive glass and diving on the floor for loose balls. Hodo tallied 6 rebounds and 5 steals to go with the efficient scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2478755"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2854968,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6816d8dca2e90"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Govan was terrific in Team USC Premier's win over Strong Center. He set the tone early with energy on the defensive end of the floor and high-flying finishes on the offensive end of the floor. Samajae also had several tough, self-created buckets in the half-court that displayed his deep bag of dribble moves. His handle, quickness, and finishing ability were all impressive and allowed him to make plays for both himself and his teammates. Govan finished with 11 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals in Game One. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1916765"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2854969,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6816d8dca2ee7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I got to check in with [player_tooltip player_id='1916765' first='KJ' last='Dupree'] and USC Unleashed 2028 in my first game of the day. Dupree had a couple of highlight plays throughout the game, but one that left an imprint in my mind was an instinctual steal followed by a thunderous dunk. KJ's game is built around his athleticism and length, but he showed today that he can be a playmaker in other ways. Dupree brought the ball up and facilitated the offense on several possessions, and displayed his ability to orchestrate a pick and roll, navigate traffic, make reads, or get to the rim. Dupree had 10 points in a lopsided victory over Powerhouse Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2299084"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2854970,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6816d8dca2f3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aaden is next up out of the standouts from Saturday in Myrtle Beach. He had a really solid game late in the day for Fountain Inn Kings, who knocked off GYCA 60-43. McDowell looked noticeably stronger and used that advantage along with his speed and handle to get to the rack or the free-throw line. Aaden frequently attacked his defender's top foot, opening the door to the paint on almost every attempt. When at the rim, McDowell's game is polished as he can play off two, fight through contact, and finish with either hand. Aaden will also force turnovers and crash the glass on defense. He went for 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in Round One.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2855010,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Khalil Epps","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Alpha Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2830220' first='Palmetto' last='Pride NXT Pro']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6816d8dca2feb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out the list is <strong>Khalil Epps</strong>. He put up 10 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals today. Khalil is well-advanced from a physical standpoint and has an intriguing combination of length and athleticism for his age. He uses these attributes on both ends of the floor to make plays and help his team win games. Epps protects the rim, crashes both sides of the glass, and finishes strong in the paint. His size also allows him to see and finish over his matchup frequently. Khalil has a high ceiling and should be a name to monitor from North Carolina's 2029 Class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->