#OTRHoopsReport: Atlanta Invitational run down – June 14, 2018

Kaden McArthur shined at the On the Radar Hoops Atlanta Invitational, 

Atlanta, Georgia – On the Radar Hoops, every summer, takes a step back from evaluating high school prospects and shines the spotlight on the next wave of basketball talent. It was special this year specifically because of the guest appearance from NBA icon and Naismith Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson to conclude the weekend. Players ranging from the class of 2022 to the class of 2027 had a chance to display their talents on the Emory University campus and, for a lot of them, show what the peach state will have to look forward to in the next five to ten years. Players will come and go throughout the same time span but from what was witnessed at the Atlanta Invitational, Georgia Basketball is in good hands for some time. These are the standouts that made an impression from the showcase:

David Thomas – (2022 / Creekside Christian / Atlanta Celtics)

Thomas has a high school varsity basketball player’s mindset on the floor and his physical qualities aren’t far off from having an impact on that level also. He is the ideal point guard for any head coach as he makes the game easy for teammates to go along with more than enough offensive prowess to take over games as well. His handle is air tight; working the pick & roll flawlessly and finishing at the basket with acrobatic spin moves at Atlanta Invitational. He was undoubtedly the most impressive player at the showcase and if he continues to develop at the rate he’s currently on, he’ll be a name to watch out for in Georgia for the next few years.

Kaden McArthur – (2022 / Grayson / Elite Strong Black)

This North Atlanta prospect has a smoothness about his game that you don’t see in a lot of high school players. McArthur is a lefty that has a fantastic pull-up game off the dribble from the mid-range area with an equally impressive stroke from behind the arc. He knows how to play with pace but remained aggressive when getting into the lane. He was a key contributor and consistent scorer for Elite Strong Black all weekend long.

Ethan Davis (2023 / Game Elite)

Davis, who resides in the northern part of Atlanta as well, was arguably one of the purest shooters at the Atlanta Invitational regardless of class. He has a gorgeous release and good size to go against smaller defenders looking to contest his shot. He is another guard that plays with patience on the floor and with the cleverness to change pace, it allows him to get to the rim once teams have recognized his shot making ability early in games. He can handle the basketball as an off guard but really excelled off the ball when his teammates were able to find him for good looks.

Sterling Henderson – (2022 / Kell / ATL Big 5)

Sterling was one of the best two-way players at Atlanta Invitational and that will make it tough to keep him off the floor heading into his high school campaign. Sterling was the best player on the best team at Atlanta Invitational, ATL Big 5, and he was consistent on the offensive end while guarding opposing teams’ best offensive threat. He has good length for his age, standing around 6’, and can play either guard position when in the half-court on offense. He thrived at getting to the rim and had a knock down pull-up jumper from the mid-range line area as well.

Malcolm Carlisle – (2022 / Faith Christian Academy / Alabama Kings)

Carlisle is a flat-out go getter on the basketball floor and willed the 14U Alabama Kings to several victories at Atlanta Invitational. The incoming freshman has good size and physique in his young age and did a good job of finishing through contact on both sides of the rim. He shines in fast paced type games and did a good job of playing hard but under control in his attack. Carlisle plays the game the right way every time I saw him and with that motor combined with a high basketball IQ it can separate him from the rest going in to high school and the class of 2022.

Barry Dunning (2022 / McGill-Toolen Catholic / Alabama Fusion)

Dunning was one of the few prospects in the 14U division on a different level at Atlanta Invitational. Already standing 6’5” he was able to finish at the rim with ease and when competition stiffened, he skillset was then put on display going against those just as tall and stronger. Dunning possesses a solid inside-out game, working on the block at times but remained relevant in the mid-range area and from behind the arc as well. Dunning knows how to make an impact on a game on both ends and is an Alabama prospect that should be next up in prep hoops.

Khyle Cowan (2022 / Athens Christian / Elite Strong Black)

Fierce is one word that comes to mind when describing Athens, Georgia native Khyle Cowan’s game on the basketball court. He was the second of a legitimate 1-2 punch, McArthur being the first, for Strong Elite Black. Cowan’s knowledge for the game is elite and he showed it with his passing ability whenever he had the ball in his hands. He has great ball handling ability to run the point guard position but wasn’t afraid to play off the ball and guard bigger players on the defensive end when his team was undersized. Cowan is dangerous in open floor and did as good a job of any prospect I saw of getting to his left even though he is a predominately right handed player.

Rhys Cotton (2025 / Dream Chasers Academy)

A younger player that deserves to be on this list, is Dream Chasers Academy 2025 point guard Rhys Cotton. The rising sixth grader has a nice change of pace to his game already and understands how to get to the basket by any means necessary. He wasn’t afraid to go coast to coast and what I loved most about his game was his ability to let the game come to him and not play keep away from his teammates, something that you often see for big time scorers at that level. It’s almost too early to evaluate kids in the 11U division, however you can tell that this youngster knows the game and has been working on his craft for some time now.

Donta Eberhardt is a contributor for On the Radar Hoops