Atlanta/South Fulton Report: Top 2028 and 2029 Prospects

Atlanta and South Fulton County is one of Georgia's premier basketball hotbeds, and this season has only reinforced that standard. From established programs to emerging contenders, the area is loaded with talent that is drawing consistent attention from college coaches across multiple levels. Here's a closer look at the top prospects from the Freshman and Sophomore class.    Craft has established himself as one of the state's top young point guards, averaging 11.1 points and 4 assists per game for the Knights. A long, lean, skilled lead guard, he has the versatility to impact the game as either a scorer or a distributor, consistently finding open teammates and making smart reads. He finishes in a variety of ways in the paint, highlighted by a soft floater game, and is a reliable open shot maker from the perimeter. With his high basketball IQ and continued physical development, his ceiling remains very high moving forward.     Lusakueno, one of the nation's top prospects in the 2028 class, has played a major role in helping the War Eagles secure a No. 1 seed in the state tournament. The sophomore is in the midst of his most productive season to date, showcasing his ability to run the floor, finish efficiently around the rim, and use his length to anchor the defense.   He impacts the game on both ends, protecting the paint, rebounding his area, and scoring with touch and timing inside. Lusakueno plays with an advanced feel for the game and a high basketball IQ that stands out for his age. As his body continues to mature and add strength, his overall impact and long-term ceiling remain extremely high.     Another high-level prospect at Woodward Academy, Hayes is a dynamic, high-flying wing with significant long-term upside. He possesses excellent positional size and length, which he pairs with a high basketball IQ and strong defensive instincts. His perimeter shooting and decision-making have both shown clear improvement, adding polish to an already intriguing skill set.   Hayes is a very good defender who uses his athleticism and motor to impact the game on that end of the floor, and as his offensive consistency continues to grow, his ceiling remains extremely high. With his physical tools, developing skill, and competitive edge, he has the potential to emerge as one of the nation's top prospects in the 2028 class.     Garner turned in a highly productive season, averaging 16.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while being named Region Player of the Year. A strong, athletic, attacking combo forward, he thrives getting downhill, putting pressure on the rim, and finishing through contact. He rebounds effectively at both ends, using his physicality and motor to carve out space and secure possessions.   Defensively, Garner's versatility stands out, as he has the ability to guard multiple positions and switch across the frontcourt. His combination of strength, athleticism, and two-way competitiveness makes him a tough matchup and a valuable all-around contributor.     Whitaker has quickly established himself as one of the state's most talented freshmen, flashing tools that translate well beyond his class. A high-level athlete, he plays with explosion and confidence, consistently creating advantages off the dribble. He is a capable shot maker who can score in a variety of ways and generate his own offense when possessions break down.   With his physical gifts and emerging skill set, Whitaker possesses significant long-term upside and projects as a prospect whose recruitment should accelerate as he continues to develop.

Atlanta and South Fulton County is one of Georgia's premier basketball hotbeds, and this season has only reinforced that standard. From established programs to emerging contenders, the area is loaded with talent that is drawing consistent attention from college coaches across multiple levels. Here's a closer look at the top prospects from the Freshman and Sophomore class.