"Emergers": Breakouts from Dec 6-12

My weekly slate for Dec 6-12 was ripe with potential breakout players I had seen or heard of from the summer, and none of them disappointed. Jeremiah Wilkinson, 5-11, Freshman, SG, Campbell [caption id="attachment_1103028" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/20201208_210107-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1103028 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/20201208_210107-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> Jeremiah Wilkinson[/caption] Wilkinson was one the highlights from GA Stars Day back in the fall, as he took on all comers and showed a wide range of skills, all of that continued in a setback at home to North Paulding as the lefty gunner had his 3-ball stroke going with 4 of them from long range, yet it is his confidence and poised air of a much older player which fascinates, he’s not afraid to have the ball in his hands in key moments and certainly showed no reticence in going to the basket through traffic either, already possessing a good frame the sky is the limit as his body and elevated game matures. [player_tooltip player_id="1058999" first="David" last="Clark"], 6-5, Freshman, SF, Campbell Smooth and efficient, Clark is another 2024 with all kinds of interesting upside, able to knock down the 3 he’s much more dangerous and effective nearer the basket where he can use a controlled handle to slice into traffic for a variety of floaters and soft short-range J’s that at 6-5 already are difficult to defend, as he puts on weight and naturally matures much like Wilkinson he can take an already polished game and become an even more sterling weapon at both ends. Jack Hewitt, 6-3, Junior, CG, North Cobb Christian Coming into the game outstanding junior combo guard Tremain Davis had drawn most of the headlines for the Eagles and forward Tre Chatman ended up stealing the show in the double OT win over Paulding County, but Hewitt certainly caught my eye with his versatility from the backcourt, he at equal times handled the ball up top and was an attacking player from the wing in tallying 18 points, but it was his heady defense and poise and control with the ball in his hands as the primary ballhandler which stood out, when things got nervy in the 2nd half and OT’s he was terrific in the sometimes complex and un-teachable role of both scoring PG and clever distributor, was absolutely a monster key in the win and someone who’s valuable and classic skillset will not go unnoticed for long. [caption id="attachment_1103029" align="alignright" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/20201212_100548-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1103029 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/20201212_100548-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> Stefan Davidov[/caption] Stefan Davidov, 6-3, Sophomore, SG, Denmark Being a 10-grader on a really strong veteran team can mean even with minutes you’re overshadowed by upperclass excellence, and while stellar senior PG [player_tooltip player_id="869585" first="Sutton" last="Smith"] and company led the way it was difficult to miss some of the positive traits from Davidov, a natural stroke from the perimeter was pretty to watch with plenty of range out past the line, as was the natural confidence in pulling it without hesitation, something one must do when receiving pinpoint feeds from Smith, he has good size and awareness and under the tutelage of outstanding coach Tyler Whitlock he is surely a name to watch for the Danes as they make another playoff run this time in 7A. Drew Vadja, 6-3, Junior, SG, Creekview Superb 3-point shooting range with a classic arc, Vadja used the trifecta (five of them) to help get the Grizz back in the game with Denmark, loved seeing the confidence and willingness to launch from all areas, with good size and athletic ability it’ll be interesting to see him expand his repertoire and get to the basket a bit more. [player_tooltip player_id="870180" first="Grant" last="Portera"], 6-3, Junior, SG, River Ridge [caption id="attachment_1103030" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/20201212_115336-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1103030 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/20201212_115336-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="870180" first="Grant" last="Portera"] (2, white)[/caption] The fruit that Portera dangles with his seemingly endless athletic gifts is enough to take a long look at him by next-level coaches, and when he puts that innate ability into action at both ends it’s fun to watch, can definitely shoot it out to the arc if left alone but it’s in the open floor finishing at the cup and slicing from the wings where he shines, from either scenario he can play through contact or just flat out rise above defenders for deuces, beginning to get some smaller D1 sniffs and that confidence could catapult him for the rest of the season. [player_tooltip player_id="870197" first="Caleb" last="Lesch"], 6-3, Junior, SG, West Forsyth Among the purest and best-looking strokes I’ve seen yet this season, Lesch is a must-guard either on the catch-and-release or using the dribble to create space, but it’s a tall task as his get-off is quick and sound and with a team full of shooters and versatile multi-position weapons he can be hard to key on. [player_tooltip player_id="1063051" first="Dimitri" last="Angelakos"], 6-2, Freshman, SG, Etowah Confident and assured are not normally two things that come in a freshman baller, but you can just see Angelakos’ willingness to be a part of the game at both ends, both as a burgeoning scoring threat from deep range on an already stacked roster as well as having the physical make-up at a young age to defend multiple spots and be involved at the other end too, a big-time riser in a program that features a bevy of young talent.