This was the closest look I’ve got yet at J’Sean with the Runnin’ Rebels. One of the state’s elite bigs made a high-profile move to Byrnes from High Point Academy this summer, where he played for back-to-back 2A State Championships. They will need J’Sean to be much more consistent with his motor and production if they are to get to Columbia in March, but the length, skill, and fit are there for him to be one of the most impactful transfers in the state.

Checking in third place behind Allen and Greene is Sanders. J’Sean was a key piece of the High Point Academy team that made it to back-to-back Class 2A State Championship appearances, but now he moves up to Class 5A to join forces with the state’s best Point Guard in hopes of a title in their senior season. Sanders fills a much-needed void in the Runnin’ Rebels’ defense, plus his size and bounciness will give them another piece to the puzzle offensively.

Leading off the list is a move that will have major implications on the 5A State Championship outlook. The addition of J’Sean Sanders gives the Runnin’ Rebels a true rim protector and lob threat, unlocking the full playmaking arsenal of their elite Point Guard and allowing them to better match up with bigger, more athletic teams in late February and early March.

If there were an All-State Defensive Team, J’Sean would certainly make that, along with the Class AA All-State Team. He had another spectacular season in Spartanburg, tallying over 18 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, and 1 block per game as a junior. His size and athleticism are very intriguing pieces of his game, so as he continues to grow offensively, the schools will come calling.

Sanders had one of the more dominant stat lines on day two of the Impact Sports Invitational, posting 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a matchup with Laurens. He showcased some impressive offensive production with his positioning and athleticism at the rim, but he was also a key piece for the Grizzlies on D. J’Sean is always very aggressive as a backline defender and looks to block every shot that comes from inside the paint. But, Sanders was also used as the primary defender on a guard at times in this game and moved, recovered, and contested very well, displaying some of his defensive versatility.

Another 2027 PF to know from Week 6 is Sanders. He was as aggressive as I’ve ever seen him in the first few minutes of Extreme Heights (High Point Academy)’s matchup with Middle Tyger (Byrnes), opening up the game with a pair of right-hand hooks, multiple defensive rebounds, and a put-back dunk. Most of J’Sean’s success was around the rim with blocks, rebounds, and interior scores, but he did flash some defensive versatility by forcing a turnover on a switch. Sanders put up 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in the double-overtime win.