By: Sean Halloran
2022 Julien King (Garner Road 17U)
King was a player to catch my eye today with his impressive performances. The most impressive part about Kings game is the defensive intensity that he contains on every possession. He causes havoc while guarding the ball and is very physical while defending off the ball. He uses his long arms to affect opponents and make things difficult for his opponents. Offensively, he was very effective in getting out into the open floor and making plays for his teammates. King proved that he can be an all-around two-way player that plays to win.
2024 KJ Greene (Upward Stars Southeast 3SSB 15U)
Greene was a player I watched today, who I thought has the most potential in the building. The skilled, lengthy guard has all the tangibles to be a collegiate basketball player one day. Greene has a natural ability to make plays for his teammates and lives on breaking his defenders down off the bounce and getting inside the paint. He plays with a good feel for the game offensively and is capable of scoring the ball in a variety of ways. Although being played at the point guard position, he does a great job of being active on the defensive glass. Allowing him to be the main ball handler in transition and creating for not only himself but others as well. I am extremely excited to continue to follow the development of Greene over the next few years to come.
2025 Eli Ellis (Big Shots Elite 17U)
Ellis was one of the most impressive players that I watched today. A skilled, shifty guard has the ability to break his defender down off of the bounce and make plays in a variety of different ways. Ellis is such a competitor and brings that mindset every time he steps on the floor. He plays the game with a great feel and high basketball IQ, which translates into how he carries himself on the court. A young man whose development is continuing to grow and it will be exciting to see his talent level in the next coming years.
2022 Jackson Holt (Big Shots Elite 17U)
Holt was a player who caught people’s eye with the impressive shooting ability he displayed. A quick guard who took his opportunity and made the most of it today. Shooting the basketball at a high level was his specialty today and he did that in a variety of ways. An effective catch and shoot guy, who also has the ability to get separation from his defender by breaking them down off the dribble and shooting the mid-range shot.
2024 Jamarie Brown (Upward Stars Columbia 15U)
Brown put on a scoring display today and did so in a variety of ways. A quick, downhill guard who showed that he can shoot it from deep. Very effective getting downhill and finishing around the crafty. Brown does a great job of being crafty once he gets inside the paint, able to finish over taller defenders as well as make the right play for his teammates. A player to be on notice for more impressive scoring performances the rest of the weekend.