Team Preview: Atlanta Timberwolves

I’ve really enjoyed watching the Atlanta Timberwolves play the past two summers. I caught their practice at Johns Creek Sunday night and it looks like they’ll have another solid group this season. Coaches always talk about the desire to have shooters and those are something Timberwolve teams never lack. They should continue to draw a handful of coaches at their games this year.

The team features two unsigned 2019 prospects in Nate Dunlop (Augusta Christian) and Colin Kahl (Centennial). Dunlop has had previous recruitment from American and Navy, and was just offered by new Lander coach Drew Richards last night. He is a combo forward with nice size at 6’6”+ and around 215 pounds. He excels as a shooter but also uses pump fakes and reads closeouts well to create off the dribble. Dunlop is fairly skilled with the ball in his hands and is an underrated passer. He’ll be a good one to watch in April. Kahl was not present Sunday, but it is well-documented that I’m a fan of his game. He developed tremendously from his junior to senior season of high school and got tons of D3 recruitment this winter. His combination of size, rebounding, and inside-out skill could warrant some D2 attention this spring.

The Timberwolves’ 2020 group includes Jack Kostel (Mill Creek), Griffin Neville (Cherokee Bluff), Joseph Staiti (West Forsyth), Alex Elliott (Mount Paran), and Eli Burruss (Dawson County). Kostel and Neville will be two of the go-to guys on offense for this team. Kostel is really skilled and creative with the ball; he gets defenders off balance and creates for himself and others with ease. He is a tough matchup because of his outside shooting ability and skill off the bounce. Neville is a lights-out shooter with deep range. He scores in a variety of ways, has solid athleticism and almost never gets sped up. I think he’ll surprise some people over the next few months. Staiti was out the entire high school season with an ankle injury but is recovered now and ready to help the Timberwolves once again. He gives the team another shooter but his willingness to do the little things is his best quality. He’ll sneak in for offensive rebounds, play physical, and understands how to move without the ball. Elliott is an efficient player who keeps things simple on the offensive end. He is good as a straight-line driver going to his left and plays through contact. He keeps the defense honest with a reliable outside shot and does not hesitate when he gets clean looks. Along with Kahl, Burruss was not at practice either. He is a returner from last year’s team and will do some good things for this group. Burruss is a tough small forward who will help them a lot with rebounding while also finishing inside well and stretching the floor at times.

Rounding out the team are two 2021 players, Will Kolker (Pope) and Lucas Garabadian (King’s Ridge). Kolker played a big role for the Greyhounds this winter and had a very good season. He is an excellent passer and his unselfish approach fits this team perfectly. He is a well-rounded scorer that can do a little bit of everything too. Garabadian will gain good experience playing up with the Timberwolves. He is another guy who shoots it well and can heat up at a moment’s notice. Scott Samach always likes to keep a few younger players that will play with him for consecutive seasons. It was beneficial for Kostel, Staiti, and Burruss last year; expect the same for Kolker and Garabadian.