June: Early predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The AAU season is on pause in the month of June. All high school prospects are scrimmaging with their respected schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scrimmages have already started in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a handful of observations from Bartlett's Team Camp on Monday:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Changes will come in 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our first 2029 Tennessee player rankings were released last week. It's a promising class. The top 10 featured two point guards inside the top 5 ([player_tooltip player_id='2822320' first='Decari' last='Parks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2979284' first='Malachi' last='Hill']). But, Tipton-Rosemark Academy's Roman Taylor is now in the conversation. He's a 6-foot-0 point guard with great ball handles, pace, and elite shooting ability. In just a small sample size against Kirby, Taylor scored in transition, made shots from 3-point range and lived in the paint. The talent is there. He's performing well for Twelve Time 15U on Nike EYBL, averaging 17.1 points per game. In the next update, the top 10 could look a little different, especially at the point guard position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Potential late bloomer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roman Taylor has a solid running mate in rising senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='3532888' first='Brennan' last='Patel']. Plenty of attention will be on Taylor, and it will open things up for Patel, who has the ability to make shots from the perimeter. He's a good ball handler, a willing passer, and loves to compete. Patel will help Tipton-Rosemark Academy win games this upcoming season under first year head coach Shelvie Rose. Patel is another talented guard in West Tennessee and could be a late bloomer to make a leap in the 2027 Tennessee player rankings. He's definitely a double-digit scorer and should stand out in TSSAA Division II-A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grimes will lead Jackson South Side</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2815276' first='Jamarrion' last='Grimes'] will be Jackson South Side's best player this upcoming season. In a loss to Bartlett, Grimes, using his 6-4 frame, came down with rebounds, scored at the rim, and made shots from the perimeter. Grimes is always in attack mode and plays aggressive defense. He's a fierce competitor and should be one of the best players in TSSAA Division 1 Class 3A in West Tennessee. He should average a double-double in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>More reps the better</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartlett's [player_tooltip player_id='2979284' first='Malachi' last='Hill'] is the starting point guard for Mokan Elite 15U. He's also going to get much-needed reps playing with the Panthers this month. The more reps Hill gets, the better he's going to be for Bartlett in 2026. He's already displayed his ability to run an offense, make the right reads and make shots from the perimeter. Hill's role will be bigger for the Panthers this upcoming season than it was last season. This month will only prepare him for it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->