National Open Championship: Southern State Standouts

<p>At the end of the summer, the intro ideas start to run thin. Let's workshop this one. In my last article from this AAU season. Let's go back to where it all began... for me. As a Michigan scout I can't neglect the fact that I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Following are seven standouts broken down class from the Voluteer state.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2027 </h2>   <p><strong>Dilmon Kleman 6-2 The Webb School</strong> Lead guard with size who doesn't blow you away with athleticism but really knows how to play the game. At 6-2, had the size to see the court well. Often cut hard after passing the ball into the high post. This got him plenty of open lanes to the basket. Size and crafty release allowed him to get his shot off easily from unique angles. Didn't just play on the ball. Set up defenders well for backdoor cuts while staying in motion off the ball. Much more than just a scorer. Found players off the live dribble and played like a seasoned veteran in pick and roll situations. Good shooter with a smooth and effortless release. Put up 20 points in a close Sunday loss.</p>   <p><strong>Jackson Knight 6-3 Tullahoma</strong> While Kleman manned the perimeter for Team Xtreme. The post was patrolled by a cadre of similar prospects. I was impressed with this "jack of all trades" type forward. Knight was good passer out of the high post and his team could run offense through him. Had a sturdy frame that helped him bang down low without the ideal height. Towards this measure, used pump fakes well and was able to get his shot off against bigger opponents. Should form a nice duo at Tullahoma next year with grassroots team [player_tooltip player_id='3678588' first='Payton' last='Behrendorff'] who played with Team Xtreme on Sunday. Behrendorrff had a similar skillset, but on a longer and lankier build.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028 </h2>   <p><strong>Giovonni Tyler 6-7 Seymour</strong> (pictured) Versatile lefty who passes the eye test in a major way. Has a long and uber athletic frame that allowed him to play and guard multiple positions. Began the closing Sunday contest against Indiana Impact looking quite dominant to the left on penetration. As the defense adjusted accordingly, he showed counters to the right. Quick and sudden elevation. Type of player that is at the rim while the defender is still gathering to jump. At 6-7 with explosive athleticism, played near the top of the square at times. His final opponent on Sunday was down to a five-man rotation. He appeared to realize this and exploit it late. Collecting fouls and nearly forcing Indiana Impact down to four men. Finished with team high 17 points in the nip and tuck victory.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2869107' first='Braylon' last='Hansen'] 6-4 Powell</strong> While Tyler was doing work down on the block. Hansen showed a much needed perimeter touch. Good size also allowed him to play down low as well. Competed hard on the defensive end. As a combo backcourt prospect, played at his own pace and didn't get sped up. Made good decisions once in the paint and easily rose over defenders in the mid range. Played with strength and a good sense of balance. Was not going to get pushed off his spot. Put up 14 points in the final victory of the weekend.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2029 </h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3639898' first='Jason' last='Mazon'] <strong>6-4 Karns</strong> Staying with the Ajam Hoops program but going a year younger. Mazon is a similar prospect to Tyler (see above) A long and bouncy prospect who passes the eye test in a major way. Long strider who covers a lot of ground on both ends of the court. As you would expect from the description. Excels in transition and runs the court fluidly. At this point in his development is kind of positionless player. That is not a bad thing. If he continues to grow vertically and adds weight, he could be a matchup nightmare in the post. If he improves his ball handling and perimeter shot, he could be a dynamic wing.</p>   <p><strong>Hudson Hill 6-0 Bearden</strong> Hill ran the point effectively for Mazon's Ajam Hoops squad. Quick with the ball in his hands and got out in transition well. Not a small point and that helps him with advanced court vision. A little flair to his game with a nice no-look find on Friday night. Good shooter from beyond the arc that kept defenses honest. This allowed him the versatility to slide over to two spot as well. Like Mazon, the Knoxville area guard has some long-term potential if he continues to grow physically. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 0f 2031 </h2>   <p>That's not a typo. I'm not good at math, and in my mid 40's the years and events start to run together (man that sounded old) But a while ago, I covered the auxiliary gyn at a live event in Kansas City. A team from, you guessed it, Tennessee came in and dominated on the opening night. Most were only middle schoolers and I was thoroughly impressed. Among those players, some became national recruit such as <strong>Kendre Harrison </strong>(Oregon). I'm not saying the player listed below will reach those heights, but he was pretty good.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3459366' first='Jayeon' last='Locke'] 6-2 Northwest Middle School</strong> I caught this player on Friday night. The game began without him having a jersey. Consequently, I couldn't go to the roster for a name. After the number came, I had to do a double take. Nothing about this player said "just finished 7th grade". If he is done growing (which I highly doubt) he already has enough size to play both backcourt positions. Does not play timid and more than just belonged against players two grades above him. Beyond the height is a good athlete who already plays at the rim. As an out of state scout, I'm not well versed in the Tennessee middle school scene. That being said, I would think this player might someday be in the conversation near the top of that class if development progresses.</p>   <p></p>

At the end of the summer, the intro ideas start to run thin. Let's workshop this one. In my last article from this AAU season. Let's go back to where it all began... for me. As a Michigan scout I can't neglect the fact that I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Following are seven standouts broken down class from the Voluteer state.