HoopSeen Carolina Jam: Sunday Notebook
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1 of 1 Elite Has A Stable of Prospects on 17U and 16U 1 of 1 Elite has an impressive cast of prospects on both their 17U and 16U squad. 17U is led by 6’2 guard Sebastian Akins Sebastian Akins…
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Continue Reading1 of 1 Elite Has A Stable of Prospects on 17U and 16U
1 of 1 Elite has an impressive cast of prospects on both their 17U and 16U squad. 17U is led by 6’2 guard Sebastian Akins Sebastian Akins 6'2" | PG 1 of 1 Academy | 2024 State NC , 6’3 guard Brandon Callahan Brandon Callahan 6'3" | SG Millbrook | 2024 NC , 6’6 wing Jayan Walker Jayan Walker 6'5" | SG Combine Academy | 2024 State NC and forwards Addison Archer Addison Archer 6'7" | PF Chase | 2023 State NC , Jajuan Nicholls Jajuan Nicholls 6'8" | PF NC GBBA National | 2023 State NC and Donovan Rakotonanahary. Akins is their lead distributor and can really find his points when the offense stalls. Walker and Callahan are the consummate creators in isolation that can find offense in an instant when they’re in the rhythm. Archer is an unsigned senior prospect with the ability to fly around the rim and operate on the wing at 6-foot-7. Nicholls and Rakotonanahary are two freak athletes that give this squad quite the rim-protecting front to work with. They’re a squad that gets after it on both ends of the floor and is fun to watch.
Speaking of fun to watch, that’s the first phrase that comes to mind when discussing their 16U squad as well led by top guard LJ Rush LJ Rush 5'10" | PG 1 of 1 Academy | 2026 State NC and Yohance Connor Yohance Connor 6'3" | CG Combine Academy | 2026 State NC . Once they get going, it doesn’t take long for Tayeshaun Smith Tayeshaun Smith 6'7" | PF 1 of 1 Academy | 2025 State #252 Nation NC and Gevonte Ware Gevonte Ware 6'9" | C 1 of 1 Academy | 2025 State #150 Nation NC to find their way as well. Then there’s 6’4 wing Emmanuel James as well. James is a fearless prospect that looks to finish everything with authority and has tremendous hands as a rebounder around the rim.
No Guts No Glory 17s Shine on Day 2
No Guts No Glory 17s put on an impressive showing on Sunday at the Carolina Jam as they went 2-0 to close things out led by the stellar play of 2024 forward/wing Isaiah Otyaluk Isaiah Otyaluk 6'7" | SF Word Of God | 2024 State NC , ’25 Ira Wilson Ira Wilson 6'7" | SF South Wake Sabres | 2025 State NC and 2024 guards Chris Crudup Chris Crudup 6'3" | PG Southern Wake Academy | 2024 State NC and Brandon Anderson Brandon Anderson 6'3" | PG Wilson Prep | 2024 State NC . They found their stride as a defensive unit and did well to find their openings in the backcourt and in the frontcourt to make things happen on the floor. Otyaluk showed how he can play when he’s locked in and focused on the task at hand. Wilson snags every rebound that comes his way and is starting to find his way as a finisher in the paint. Crudup and Anderson are the sparks in the backcourt with their ability to push the pace and finish in traffic. They’re a well-rounded group to get eyes on out of the state.
Garner Road Select 2025s Win A Title
Garner Road Select 2025 squad was another impressive squad in the 16U ranks as they took home a championship when it was all said and done. They were led by the exploits of top HS scorer Marcel Freeman Marcel Freeman 6'0" | PG North Johnston | 2025 State NC , Ethan Reid Ethan Reid 6'3" | CG Southeast Raleigh | 2025 State NC , Tayshaun Mann, Justice Mitchell Justice Mitchell 6'6" | SF Clayton | 2025 State NC , Devaughn Brown Devaughn Brown 6'2" | PG Trinity Christian | 2025 State NC and Elijah Melton Elijah Melton 6'6" | PF Pinecrest | 2025 State NC . They’re an intriguing bunch that plays fundamental basketball as a team and gets after opponents on the defensive end. Their guard tandem of Freeman, Mann and Brown is a lethal combination then add in Mitchell and Melton around the rim, it’s easy to see why they took home a title. Check out their highlights below!
Prospects to Keep an Eye on
Ryan Mackinnon is an intriguing wing/forward that’s finding his way on both ends at the 3/4 spot. He’s a confident shooter on the perimeter that can also put the ball on the floor. He’s not afraid of getting his nose dirty in the paint either, utilizing his length to alter shots and rebound on the glass. He’s another name to keep an eye on with Flight 22 UA Rise.
Gift Moses Gift Moses 6’6″ | SF Enloe | 2024 State NC is a name to keep an eye on with Harvest Basketball Academy this grassroots cycle. He’s a long, wiry prospect that can alter shots, operate on the perimeter as a shooter and finish in traffic with authority. He’s slowly finding his confidence on the grassroots scene alongside Owen Pedersen Owen Pedersen 6’4″ | SG Enloe | 2024 State NC .
Owen Pedersen Owen Pedersen 6’4″ | SG Enloe | 2024 State NC is a confident combo guard that can stroke it from deep when given opportunities. He’s shown he can handle the basketball and make things happen and as he does so with more consistency, look for him to gain some more traction on the recruiting front.
Highlights
Steven McLeod Steven McLeod 6’2″ | CG GRACE Christian | 2024 State NC is the unsung leader for this Harvest Basketball Academy group with his ability to be a vocal leader as well as a presence in their backcourt. He can finish in traffic with his underrated length and can knock down the 3-ball on the perimeter just as well. Take a look at him and his squad in their highlights against No Guts No Glory.
https://youtu.be/J8pdQYmCUng