LakePoint Live Showcase II Spotlight: Georgia Canes 17U

It was only a matter of time before the GA Canes put it together with all the talent they possess, and they did so at LakePoint to capture their 17U bracket with a string of high-level performances. Exceedingly well-coached, many of their standouts are names you might not have heard too often, play at off the radar programs or were light contributors a year ago, that is sure to change as these players will be stepping into large roles this winter. [caption id="attachment_1038266" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/IMG_20200815_140659082_HDR.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1038266 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/IMG_20200815_140659082_HDR-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> Chase Ballard[/caption] Chase Ballard (PG, 5-8, Arabia Mountain) - Perhaps the player who has made the most strides from when I saw them workout earlier in the summer is Ballard, the coaching staff has taken the shackles off his game and allowed him to excel at what he does, push the pace at a high tempo, make good decisions and score from the 1-spot from all 3 levels, not at all hindered by his size as he loves getting into the painted area, he will guard the heck out of you as well, really gets up into the ball-handler, undoubtedly will attract attention from smaller school programs who’ll be getting a real competitor with a lot of skill packed into a smaller package. Shamar Wingfield (CG, 6-0, Westover) - Got the game-winning lay-up in their semi-final win over Team Curry, Wingfield has also been really impressive of late showcasing a lethal all-around game, he’s a fearless driver with plenty of power to get up to the rack, he has a pretty stroke as well like Ballard’s and pulls it with confidence both from the mid-range as well as beyond the arc, can be an asset at the next level in either guard spot and like all the guards for the Canes can seriously guard you, a real riser this summer and a gem out of south Georgia. [caption id="attachment_1038270" align="alignright" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/IMG_20200815_133935555_HDR.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1038270 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/IMG_20200815_133935555_HDR-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="869608" first="AJ" last="Burke"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="869608" first="AJ" last="Burke"] (SG, 6-3, Wheeler) - Playing on a loaded and epic Wheeler state championship squad Burke was a definite contributor, will be called upon to add more scoring punch this year with graduation losses and has done so this summer for theCanes with a smooth stroke from long-range, can slide over and handle the ball at lead guard but sets up really well in the 2-spot, another elite-level defender with a powerful running-back frame that is a tough package to push around. [player_tooltip player_id="806600" first="Perry" last="Robinson"] (PF, 6-7, Central Pointe FL) - Headed the prep school route this school year, Robinson is an absolute load to handle near the basket with a terrific motor who fills up the stat sheet, one of those forwards willing to catch it in a crowd and get battered on his way to the line early and often, but that doesn’t take away from an athleticism that will garner looks from teams interested in a serious worker down by the block who can guard 4 spots. [player_tooltip player_id="869601" first="Jens" last="Rueckert"] (SF, 6-4, South Cobb) - We’ve talked a little about Rueckert previously and his almost-freakish athletic ability, all the lift of a Vince Carter he continued making wow plays at LakePoint, uses that lift to explode off the break or defend the rim even coming down from the wing, a good mid-range shooter who as he adds more distance to that range will only gather in more eyeballs, love the moxie and fire on the floor as he pesters the opposition and thrives being in their heads. OTHERS to watch: [caption id="attachment_1038271" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/IMG_20200815_141149670_HDR.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1038271 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/IMG_20200815_141149670_HDR-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> Iajah Phillips[/caption] Moving over from Double Trouble, South Cobb’s 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="870183" first="Robert" last="Dix"] has continued the solid play he started earlier this summer now playing up for the Canes, at 6-6 he’s incredibly versatile, possesses a nice shooting touch, can really rebound, run the floor and defend the entire floor, speaking of versatile [player_tooltip player_id="1036814" first="Makai" last="Vassell"] of Lanier has a chance to really have a breakout season this year for the Longhorns, has shown a really smooth and high-level shooting touch this summer, and at 6-6 and a fine athlete can do a lot of things, will make an interesting perimeter option alongside the likes of [player_tooltip player_id="754293" first="Andrew" last="McConnell"], guard Iajah Phillips also of Lanier like all the Canes has been outstanding the last few weeks, an uber athlete who has grown his game since I saw him last season as Lanier made a deep playoff run, he can really move with the ball as a 1 or get to the rim as a 2 at a stout 6-0, he’s added to his shooting range as well, so with McConnell and Vassell will make for a fascinating base for Longhorn fans, big men Gerald Jones (6-10, Brewster Academy) and Umar Rashid (6-6, Creekview) played sparingly when I caught my extended look ath the Canes, but both have skill-sets which are intriguing, Jones as a rim-protector and developing post presence and Rashid as a face-up 4 with smarts and nice stroke, I look forward to watching more of Rashid over the coming weeks playing with the Grizzlies in LakePoint’s Fall League.