July Live Period – NY2LA Best of the South Preview

<p>If it feels like we just finished up the scholastic period of the recruiting calendar it is because we did. June is barely in the rearview mirror with a live period just wrapping up June 24-26th which featured the IHSAA/IBCA Charlie Hughes Showcase here in Indiana. However, basketball and recruiting never stop. Another live period will begin on July 7th and run through July 10th as teams from the Hoosier state primarily travel to Atlanta, Kansas City, and South Carolina for various events. We at Prep Hoops Indiana will provide wall-to-wall coverage of everything including having boots on the ground in Atlanta bringing in-person updates from UAA/UA Rise Session III, NY2LA Best of the South, and, of course, our own Prep Hoops Live Atlanta. On Tuesday we put out previews of the UAA/UA Rise Session III and 3SSB/Adidas Gold. Now, we turn our attention to the NY2LA Best of the South tournament.</p> <h2>George Hill All Indy</h2> <p>There is no denying that George Hill All Indy is one of the most followed teams on the NY2LA Circuit. With 5-star forward [player_tooltip player_id="868219" first="Xavier" last="Booker"] (Cathedral H.S. 2023) growing into a consensus Top 10 prospect in the country, it stands to reason that college coaches follow this group consistently. Alongside potential high-major recruit [player_tooltip player_id="868259" first="Joey" last="Brown"] (North Central H.S. 2023) and Providence commit [player_tooltip player_id="1391463" first="Garwey" last="Dual"] (Souther California Prep 2023) there is plenty of talent to go around. Additionally, low and mid-major programs continue to really like point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1273713" first="Sheridan" last="Sharp"] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023) and 6’10" big man [player_tooltip player_id="1272428" first="David" last="Meriwether"] (Lawrence North H.S. 2023) who both now hold a handful of offers. Another point guard, [player_tooltip player_id="868243" first="Keyon" last="Garrett-Miller"] (Southport H.S. 2023) remains one of the best under-the-radar prospects in the state of Indiana as well.</p> <h2>Kyle Guy Elite Black/White</h2> <p>Both of these rosters are loaded with college prospects for coaches at various different levels. Kyle Guy Elite Black features a significant stock-riser from the spring in 6’2" guard [player_tooltip player_id="1049171" first="Dylan" last="Moles"] (Greenfield-Central H.S. 2023). Moles holds offers from Marian, Grace, and LeMoyne. 6’5" forward [player_tooltip player_id="1160680" first="Gavin" last="Welch"] (New Castle H.S. 2023) has really impressed of late earning some NAIA offers including the most recent one from IU-East. Also, 6’10" big man [player_tooltip player_id="1049165" first="Jacob" last="Cherry"] (Eastern Pekin H.S. 2023) continues to be an intriguing two-way forward.</p> <p>Kyle Guy Elite White 17u added [player_tooltip player_id="935736" first="Logan" last="Webb"] (Linton-Stockton H.S. 2023) who is coming off of a great showing at the Charlie Hughes Showcase and is one of the better shooters in the class. Another 6’3" guard [player_tooltip player_id="1226596" first="Cade" last="Brenner"] (NorthWood H.S. 2023) is the most high profile prospect of the group.</p> <p>KGE also will have a pair of 16u teams competing as well as one 15u squad. One name to know on the 16u White team is 6’6" forward Tucker Tornatta (Evansville Memorial H.S. 2024). The left-hander is very skilled around the basket and a tenacious rebounder who had an excellent spring. His high school teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1159224" first="Luke" last="Lawrence"] (Evansville Memorial H.S. 2025) is a name to know on 15u Black.</p> <h2>94 Feet Elite</h2> <p>At the 17u level, [player_tooltip player_id="868227" first="Kamari" last="Slaughter"] (Portage H.S. 2023) has caught the most attention during the spring and summer months. The physical 6’2" guard is a very good playmaker off of the dribble and is really hard to stop when he gets a head of steam to the basket. For the 16u group there are several guys I want to see more of down in Atlanta, but 6’6" forward [player_tooltip player_id="1275800" first="Jaelyn" last="Johnson"] (Portage H.S. 2024) and 5’9" point guard La’Montae Cross (Gary 21st Century 2024) are probably the most intriguing. On the 15u 94 Feet Elite team, 6’4" wing [player_tooltip player_id="1297094" first="Michael" last="Wellman"] (Portage H.S. 2025) is one of the most skilled players in the rising sophomore class and is ranked #18 by Prep Hoops Indiana.</p> <h2>Indy EBC Blue/White</h2> <p>6’5" forward Jeffrey Pinkston (Tindley H.S. 2023) will suit up this week/weekend with Indy EBC Blue 17u. He is a long, super athletic wing who has shown flashes of an improved offensive skill set through the month of June playing with Tindley. Definitely one for small college programs to keep an eye on due to his physical tools alone. Another intriguing prospect through the spring was 6’3" guard [player_tooltip player_id="1391284" first="Jaquan" last="Ingram"] (Anderson H.S. 2023). He has good length on the wing and is a very good jump shooter off of the dribble. Can create his own scoring opportunities. For Indy EBC White 17u, keep an eye on 6’5"-6’6" forward Julian Robinson (Tindley H.S. 2023) who has tremendous upside.</p> <p>At the 15u level for Indy EBC Blue, small 5’7" guard Ezekiel Kirby (Warren Central H.S. 2025) put up some big numbers at times. Also, incoming freshman David Brigham Jr. (Christal House Manual H.S. 2026) is going to be a major varsity contributor right away this winter. Definitely anxious to evaluate him further this weekend.</p> <h2>Southern Indiana Blaze</h2> <p>This group will compete at the 17u level at The Best of the South this week/weekend in Atlanta and are very aptly named as they feature several of the top prospects in the rising senior class from southern Indiana. One that has garnered the most interest has been 6’3" wing [player_tooltip player_id="1273735" first="Casey" last="Kaelin"] (Providence H.S. 2023) who led his team to a Class 2A state championship as a junior. [player_tooltip player_id="868258" first="Kaden" last="Oliver"] (Silver Creek H.S. 2023) and [player_tooltip player_id="1142146" first="Eli" last="Meyer"] (Seymour H.S. 2023) will be other prospects worth following closely in Atlanta.</p> <h2>Progeny Blue/Grey</h2> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1295383" first="Camron" last="Casky"] (Pike H.S. 2024) is definitely the top prospect to watch in the Progeny program at The Best of the South. The 6’3" wing is an elite athlete with all of the physical tools you could ask for. He has started to breakout a little bit through the spring and at the Charlie Hughes Showcase, but should really start to attract some attention this month. [player_tooltip player_id="1295363" first="Evan" last="Haywood"] (Brebeuf Jesuit 2024) is another to keep an eye on in their program. He is a very good outside shooter who scored it well consistently through the spring for Progeny.</p>