GBCA Live Friday Impression-Makers Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back to the LakePoint Champions Center, for three June weekends of Georgia high school hoops (2 boys, 1 girls), before a large crop of college coaches looking to find that next gem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday was Day 1 of 2 for me as the Georgia-only event kicked off the month's festivities, and here were four guys who definitely made an impression. Part 1 of 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125534' first='Isaiah' last='Chandler'] | Guard | 6-5 | 2027 | North Cobb Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a gradual but highly effective burn for Chandler to rise to near the cream of the crop in the 2027 class of guards. There may be a few more marquee names ahead of him when people speak about the upcoming seniors, but outside of the dynamic talents of those players, give me Chandler every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Now a legit star player for the Eagles, that label, albeit coming from me, doesn't keep him from being the hardest worker on the floor, often outhustling everyone for loose balls and second chance opportunties. Add to that a next-level improvement in both his at-the-rim game and a more consistent-looking jumper from deep, and the mix is hard to ignore. He's part of a stellar backcourt which adds transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1859867' first='Amari' last='Smallwood'] to returnees [player_tooltip player_id='1543506' first='Grant' last='Robich'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2639058' first='Tyson' last='Matta']. Chandler was, for a third year in a row, among the best players I saw overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2466840' first='JJ' last='Page'] | Guard | 6-2 | 2027 | Mount Vernon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of hustle and spark, Page continues to impress in those two categories, while checking a lot of boxes all over the floor on what should be another strong Mustang squad. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2102288' first='Noah' last='Brady'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2523999' first='Quint' last='McGrath'] may draw the coaches over to the courts at LakePoint, but it becomes hard to take your eyes off Page, and to me that's as valuable as height or deadeye shooting. He handles the rock, plays off the ball with abandon at both ends (a terrific on-ball defender), makes a lot of sound decisions, and doesn't shy away from the ball in high tension moments. Deserving of additional attention as he enters his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3535783' first='Justin' last='Lamisere'] | Guard | 6-0 | 2029 | Mt Bethel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week at KSU we highlighted 2027 stud [player_tooltip player_id='2125566' first='Roman' last='Avery'] and 2029 riser [player_tooltip player_id='3535751' first='Liam' last='McTeer'], two guys whose names are familiar to many in the recruiting circles. Lamisere had a nice all-around day vs another tough Tri-Cities squad, as the Eagles played the 6A power super tight for most of the contest. Lamisere can get searing hot from three-land when the confidence burns, and he's full of that. He's also developing into a high-level on-ball defender, one who seeks out the best player on the other team for shutdown moments. He can play both guard spots, but seems more at home off the ball, allowing McTeer to do his thing with his natural PG instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stevie Shields | Forward | 6-9 | Paideia | 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The radar is blipping hot off Ponce De Leon, and it isn't the planes from nearby Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Looking to make the jump from contributor on a veteran-laden Python team to the main attraction in '26-27 is Shields, and he'll do it with plenty of offensive variety. Saw some moments facing the basket, good foot speed to put pressure on the defense, and he's got a good-looking rotation on the jumper. Will dip inside and bang a bit, specifically in looking for the alley-oop. He's a very good shot blocker with sound timing, and that adds to the flavor of a still developing package. A name to watch for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->