#OTRHoopsReport: March News and Notes – March 22, 2018

Class of 2019 guard Ashton Hagans of Newton County was named Mr. Basketball for the 2017-2018 season. Photo cred – Ty Freeman

High School Basketball season has come to a close (save the Dick’s National Championship Tournament) and travel basketball is on the horizon. In this gap there is are plenty of story-lines related to players within the state of Georgia and in the southeast. Here are the top stories in the past week.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Ashton Hagans Named Georgia Mr. Basketball

Hagans ended a stellar junior year with Newton County High School by earning the title of Mr. Basketball. The 6-foot-4 guard has athleticism that reminds us of Kobi Simmons (St. Francis / Arizona / Memphis Grizzlies). It has been a hectic year for Hagans who was originally slated to go to Oak Hill Academy, but then returned to play for coach Rick Rasmussen this season. Recently Hagans de-committed from Georgia and will enter this spring as the most pursued prospect in the state of Georgia while playing with Game Elite. Per Jerry Meyer of 247 Sports, Hagans has visitors from UGA, Memphis and Providence this week.

Anfrenee Simons Declares for the NBA Draft

Simons, once a Louisville commit, decided to forego college all together and head straight for the league. The 6-4 guard played a year of post-grad basketball at IMG Academy this season, like Thon Maker did at Orangeville Prep, which made him immediately eligible for the Draft. Simons is a hyper athletic guard who also has the skill and finesse to make him a high percentage finisher. Here was our impression of him at the Indi-Hoops Tip-Off Classic:

Simons is another player who appears to be coming into his own heading into his final season on the circuit. The 6-3 combo guard showed big-time play-making skills to pair up with a silky smooth skill set. He set defenders up with crafty hesitation moves and finished above the rim when he got downhill. 

McDonald’s All-American Game in the ATL

For the first time in the history of its’ existence, the McDonald’s All-American Game will be held in Atlanta, instead of Chicago. #OTRHoopsReport members Shun Williams, Brandon Clay and Jonathan Hemingway will be on hand to report the action first hand. It will be also an opportunity for the players from the Peach State to show their talents on the nation’s biggest stage. Wheeler’s EJ Montgomery and Reggie Perry of Thomasville will represent the home state. Montgomery is still uncommitted while Perry signed with Mississippi State during the early signing period.

Recruiting Notes

Dacula Has Visitors

Class of 2019 guard Brenden Tucker and class of 2020 wing Quincy Ademokoya are scheduled to be seen by Georgia this week. New Bulldog Head Coach, Tom Crean, is wasting zero time in scouting the area’s top talent. College of Charleston is also set to set to Ademokoya this week as well.

Hinson to Reclassify

Blake Hinson of Sunrise Christian (KS) announced that he is moving into the class of 2018. He had announced a final three of Illinois, Seton Hall and Washington State at the beginning of this week. However, Hinson tweeted an offer from Missouri last night. Hinson is one of the nation’s top shooters at 6-7. He tore the nets off at OTR Elite 32. Here is our evaluation following his July performance with the Showtime Ballers

Never judge a book by its’ cover. In Hinson’s case, do not look at his height and frame then assume you know what his game is all about. The 6-7 prospect can bang along the frontline if you need him to, but his go-to is his long-range shooting ability. He hit threes from well beyond 25-feet in a win versus the Houston Defenders on Sunday morning. Add in his ball handling and agility and Hinson’s upside is through the roof at the next level. 

Chaplin Picking Up Interest

Chaplin helped the Meadowcreek Mustangs to a Class AAAAAAA State Championship last weekend. Now the college coaches are anxious to see him this spring. College of Charleston will be in to see him this weekend. Chaplin’s athleticism is ideal at the next level, because of his ability to defend and rebound multiple positions. He will run with Stackhouse Elite this spring.

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on  twitter @JLHemingwayPSB