Spending a while in Atlanta and earlier than I head to Lakepoint for the Nike EYBL, I did catch high quality expertise at OTR’s ‘Who Desires The Smoke’ final weekend. I wrote about 11 however greater than that impressed me. Let’s take a dive on what I noticed.
Jayden Williams, 2024 6’9 Ahead – Atlanta Celtics: Was impressed along with his total versatility. Recreation got here simple for him at ‘Who Desires The Smoke.’ Wiry with a big-time wingspan and might deal with it, end across the rim and somebody that may make an open perimeter shot. Defensively was doing a superb job defending the rim as effectively. Williams strikes effectively, can rating inside and outside and is a 2024 huge that might blow up this April Dwell Interval.
Akai Fleming, 2025 6’4 Guard – Atlanta Celtics 16U: Fleming has a knack for scoring the ball and he can get scorching rapidly. Confirmed three stage scoring however was impressed along with his accuracy from 3-point land.
Zion Greene, 2025 6’3 CG – AOT Elite 16U: Greene was enjoyable to observe. Explosive athlete that performs with a whole lot of energy as effectively. Intercepted passing lanes like a defensive again, continued to place rim strain when the ball was in his fingers. One factor about Zion that makes him a troublesome cowl is he’s a lefty shooter, however really is a powerful finisher and assaults with proper hand. One to observe this spring and summer season.
Cam Smith, 2025 6’6 Wing – AOT Elite 16U: Youthful brother of OTE’s Tyler Smith. Cam is a lefty attacking wing that’s sturdy in transition as a finisher. Rebounds and ignites break, crashes offensive glass and has a pleasant taking pictures stroke off the catch from three. Can see the place the upside is and with extra sprucing of his footwork, ability and steadiness, Smith may flip himself right into a higher-end D1 basketball participant.
Cannon Richards, 2024 6’7 SF – Recreation Elite 17U: I like Cannon’s recreation loads. A giant wing that may make photographs from the surface off the catch and on the transfer. Energetic with motion off the ball permits himself to be in place to attain.
Peyton Marshall, 2024 6’11 C – Recreation Elite 17U: Large fella is a load on the block. A large physique publish with terrific footwork. Makes use of broad body to carve out area inside and is an efficient finisher across the rim. Even with how huge he’s, he can combine it up with finesse and brute energy when he operates within the publish. Could be scary the day he’s in nice form and could possibly be a very good school participant.
Jeremiah Wilkinson, 2024 6’ PG – Recreation Elite 17U: Lefty, scoring pg that packed a powerful offensive punch for Recreation Elite. Correct shooter from deep, sufficient at attending to spots to attain whereas additionally making stable reads when attacking.
Amir Taylor, 2025 6’8 PF – Recreation Elite 16U: Amir is a troublesome cowl. Broad constructed, about 6’8 and is a formidable inside/out scoring risk. Good deal with, good footwork and is a succesful shooter (nonetheless can develop as a shooter) from outdoors. Might throw it to him inside and generate a clear search for himself or for his teammates with passes.
Ian Smikle, 2024 6’7 PF – Georgia Stars 17U: A powerful constructed ahead that’s a load within the paint. Finishes via contact. Good rebounder, really feel, collects missed photographs out of his space and generates second likelihood alternatives for his squad. Protected the rim effectively as he will get off the ground pretty fast.
Caleb Wilson, 2025 6’10 Ahead – Georgia Stars 16U: Loads to love with Caleb. Along with his top, he performs with motor and grabs rebounds and blocks photographs. Offensively, there’s a ton of upside. Shot appears to be like clear and made some mid-range fade-aways. Finest basketball is forward of him.
Matthew Ready, 2025 6’4 SG – Georgia Stars 15U: Son of Douglas Ready, who performed at Boston Faculty and loved knowledgeable profession. Matthew stood out early along with his 3-point taking pictures. Was connecting triples off the dribble in transition in addition to pull-up mid-rangers additionally. Has a superb really feel for the sport and is aware of when he must be extra assertive with the ball.
