“Progress Report”: Norcross Heat

<p>Dropped in for a 2nd visit this grassroots season with Marshawn Hampton and a mixed group of Norcross Heat 2022s and 2023s, both teams have had a bunch of success across the ATL-scene since mid-March. Rapid risers forward Duke Clayton (2022, Peachtree Ridge) and guard Maalik Leitch (2022, South Gwinnett) was not present and recovering from injury, respectively. </p> <p>Here’s what came out of it, as we rate their progression on a scale of 1-3 (1 being regressed, 2 stagnant, 3 rapid):</p> <p><em><strong>Eddie Hendricks, 6-7, PF, Meadowcreek, 2023 &gt; PROGRESSION: 3</strong></em></p> <p>SUMMARY: Continues his monster ascent among power forwards in the state, his 3-point shooting continues to develop into a viable weapon, the frame is still a near A+ with still 2 years of HS-ball left to build on it, an absolute monster in close and on the glass, superb in the 15 foot and in range.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="820290" first="Keishawn" last="Hampton"], 5-11, PG, Meadowcreek, 2023 &gt; PROGRESSION: 3</strong></em></p> <p>SUMMARY: Like Hendricks is rising rapidly both in the development of his lead guard skills but also as his body matures, confidence remains sky-high particularly in the long-range shooting where he’s one of the ATL-metro’s best shooters, with weapons around him his distributing is getting sharper and sharper, unassuming and humble when he realizes the value of a more vocal presence that aspect should add another element to his next-level package as a lead man. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049231" first="Dennis" last="Sturdivant"], 6-2, CG, Meadowcreek, 2023 &gt; PROGRESSION: 3</strong></em></p> <p>SUMMARY: Always saw the enormous potential from an athletic standpoint and the Heat organization made a wiser call moving him up to play with the 17U’s, there he can play lead guard and show off his solid handle and decision-making and see another level of defensive pressure to hone his craft, still will be able to use a good burst off the dribble to slash and attack.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1130588" first="Jordan" last="Edun"], 6-4, SG, East Coweta, 2022 &gt; PROGRESSION: 2</strong></em></p> <p>SUMMARY: My first look at Edun as a new addition but he impressed with his length and lift, really gets up and down the floor and can be explosive both in the halfcourt and off the break, versatile defending capabilities with good size and that excellent wingspan, will be fascinating to see him on a mostly returning and dymanic East Coweta bunch. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="820295" first="Jalen" last="Hilliard"], 6-4, SF, McEachern, 2023 &gt; PROGRESSION: 2</strong></em></p> <p>SUMMARY: Also a new addition to the Heat family and the athleticism alone was startling, high-flying dunks and all sorts of skying had my eyes opened wide, not just a dunker as he showed some quick catch and finish ability near the basket, hoping to see his face-up game off the wing and whether there’s a 15-18 ft jump shot in that package, but with all kinds of opportunities available done in Powder Springs with a new coaching staff this is one Indian to watch.</p> <p><strong>ALSO KEEP AN EYE ON: [player_tooltip player_id="1139776" first="Caleb" last="Smith"] (6-4, SG, SW DeKalb, 2022), [player_tooltip player_id="820310" first="Dayton" last="Richardson"] (6-6, SF, Meadowcreek, 2023), Jeremiah Edwards (6-2, G, Dutchtown, 2023), Da’Avion Thomas (5-11, G, McDonough, 2023), Davonte Sinclair (6-8, PF, Meadowcreek, 2023), Dalen Gales (6-1, G, Jefferson, 2022) </strong></p>