#OTRHoopsReport The Future from the Georgia Challenge – October 6, 2014

Class of 2019 Jared Jones of Jacksonville, Fla., played like a grown man at the Georgia Challenge. Photo cred – Ty Freeman

DULUTH, Ga. – While there were a number of upperclassmen in the building who were playing to catch the eye of a college coach, the Georgia Challenge provided the opportunity for younger players to get on the map. A number of prospects who have not even played a high school game gained the attention of OTRHoopsReport.com evaluators, which will help their future recruitment. Here is a look at a few names that you could hear a lot more about in years to come.

The FUTURE

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Kristopher Gardner (Leesburg, Ga.), – Lee County HS – 2018

A 6-foot point guard, Gardner displayed tools that should put him in the discussion as one of the better freshman point guards in the state. He showed explosion downhill with the ball in his hands that make him a tough cover for opposing defenders. His first step is combined with a quick left to right shake with the ball in hands. Although camp games provide a limited view of a player’s abilities, he showed plenty in the moments he was on the court. Gardner attends a class AAAAA school in south Georgia while also playing for the ATL Xpress travel organization.

Jared Jones (Jacksonville, Fla.), – Arlington Country Day School – 2019

We had our first look at Jones this summer at the Under Armour Grind Fest. Many who were getting their first look at a young man with a physique of a college freshman were shocked to discover that Jones has another year before he is officially in high school. The 6-9 power forward displayed the skill and athleticism to match his impressive physicality in game play. The play of the day could have been his explosion past 7′ center Trey Kallina in the lane, which led to an impressive one handed jam in traffic. We will see plenty more of Jones in future years as he plays with the ATL Xpress on the travel circuit.

Khavon Moore (Macon, Ga.), – Northside Macon HS – 2018

Moore continued to solidify in our OTRHoopsReport.com evaluations that he should be penned as a point guard. At 6-7, Moore will draw comparisons to other bigger, longer lead guards such as Anfrenee “Penny” Hardaway who played in a previous generation. Moore again showed his play-making ability with the ball in his hands as he hit jumpers behind ball screens while splitting defenders to get into the lane. On the defensive end he was equally effective as he gave class of 2017 wing Lance Moore of Norcross, Ga., fits in the open court. His quick hands and length allow him to defend his position as well.

WATCH-LIST

Coach Jeremy Huckaby and his staff at Lanier High School have reason to be hopeful in Sugar Hill, Ga., with their duo of class of 2018  prospects. Forward Chris Parks is a high energy forward who finishes well around the bucket. He will be joined by point guard Adrian Martin who has plenty of natural ability when the ball is in his hands.

Nahiem Alleyne of Snellville, Ga., will be a point guard that many will want to watch in future years. The 6′ point guard showed many of the skills that made him a standout with the Georgia Stars this year on the travel circuit as a 2019 prospect.

Brice Pastor of Lamar County caught our attention during game-play with his energy and leadership as a class of 2018 prospect. The vocal 6-2 guard played on the wing and hit the open jumper.

Keep an on 6-3 guard Ricky Clark of Douglas County. He showed exceptional point guard skills in game play. He facilitated the action easily without pressing issue either. The class of 2018 is a prospect of great promise.

Exposure and Showcase Opportunities:

October 11 – CoachHemi.com Fall Workout
October 18 – Peach State Basketball Top 40 Workout

 

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. 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