GBCA Live Friday Impression-Makers Pt 2

<!-- 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 2 of 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531958' first='LJ' last='Byrd'] | Forward | 6-6 | 2028 | Peachtree Ridge (pictured at top)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stood tall versus a strong Pace Academy squad during Friday action, then came back Saturday and was a demolishing force vs a smaller Mt Bethel team, which was missing [player_tooltip player_id='2436950' first='Peter' last='Julius']. Love the way he runs the floor, he's a big, burly target out on the break for thunderous dunks or and-1's. If you don't put a body on him on the glass he will obliterate the rebounding numbers in the Lions favor, wiping the defensive glass, and and can crush the opponent's morale with second, third, and even fourth chances. Seeing him step out and knock down a bunch of threes with a good release and confident feel elevated him in my eyes. He told me Clark Atlanta is interested, others are sure to follow for any smart coaches making their way to LakePoint or Suwanee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2380970' first='Nate' last='Winters'] | Guard | 6-7 | 2027 | Osborne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I try to make a point to make it over and see Osborne every year, they usually play well, and often have an under-the-radar guy or two worth highlighting. This year that's easily Winters, a long, sinewy wingman, who posted a pair of 20+ point games for the Cards. His long strides make defenders worry about how he can glide past them, but he has more than enough creativity for the step-back bomb, making guys stumble as they cross their feet. Out in space, he will get above the rim for vibrant finishes. Love finding lesser-known guys during these live periods, and with OTP this spring, Winters has gained a bunch of attention from the locked-in coaches and owners in that travel program, so this isn't exactly breaking news that he's one to watch, especially with recent offers from UIC and Arkansas State in the bag.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3423714' first='Jaden' last='McCullough'] | Guard | 6-3 | 2028 | Pace Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seems like McCullough has been around for about five years, his name always teasingly on the lips of impressed onlookers, going back to his days at Holy Innocents. Still just a rising junior, and now with Coach Sharman White and Pace, he steps into a large role as both leader and main man, playing alongside [player_tooltip player_id='2194478' first='Brielen' last='Craft'] to form arguably the best 2028 backcourt in the ATL-Metro. It was clear in game action that he's quickly carved out an alpha role with the Knights. He has the explosiveness and savvy of many of the Pace guards who've come before, and being able to play as a high-level, ball-dominant PG, allows Craft to get off the ball and show off his own unique scoring talents, highlighting the problems the two will cause this winter for opponents. A dynamite prospect who checks a ton of boxes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden Langston | Guard | 6-6 | 2027 | East Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was some buzz about Langston in the crowd as I shuttled around Friday, so I went down to check out longtime superb Coach Joe Dix and his Vikings. Last year's 3A-Region 8 POY, I saw signs of what some people were saying. In moments, he overmatched smaller players, shooting over the top with a textbook-looking jumper, and also putting it on the deck and showing the use of both hands and plenty of creativity around the basket. There was scuttlebutt about him still not all the way back from injury, but I wasn't able to confirm. That may have explained some of the inconsistencies I witnessed, but there is offensive skill to build on, making him a small school guy to follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->