#OTRHoopsReport: The Opening Brings First Impressions – April 9, 2018

MARIETTA, Georgia, – OntheRadarHoops.com hosted “The Opening” last weekend at Wheeler High School. The preseason tournament provided an outlet for some of the city’s top teams to get great match-ups and top notch media exposure. Here are a few of the notable names from the weekend.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Brandon Boston – AOT – 2020

Boston backed up all of the praise and recruiting attention that he earned this winter with Norcross High School. The 6-7 wing has arms and length that remind us of Brandon Ingram at the same age. While we have seen Boston’s jumper in evaluations past, today he did most of his work finishing at the rim with dunks and alley-oops. Boston is poised to have a big spring on the EYBL circuit.

Covering @OntheRadarHoops “The Opening” today

Watched ‘20 Brandon Boston of @AOTBasketball drop 26pts in a win

The 6-7 wing is one of the nation’s besthttps://t.co/o9z1G1Ara5
?@shotbylarry / @ParallelsMedia_ pic.twitter.com/Im7vTM0Ufu

— Jonathan Hemingway (@JLHemingwayPSB) April 7, 2018

Terrell Burden – Game Elite – 2019

Burden is a point guard with JETS in the open court. He is difficult to contain when he gets a few bounces towards the bucket. He is especially difficult in the pick and roll action, because he can turn the corner quickly making the defending post player head spin trying to cut him off. Burden’s ability to finish with either hand at the rim makes him one of the must-track point guards in the state of Georgia.

Sharife Cooper – AOT – 2020

Cooper is positioned as one of the top five point guards in the nation. His ability to run an offense and throw lasers to cutting teammates after he has drawn a double team is special. Cooper’s ability to pass coming off of a ball screen is reminiscent of Tre Jones’ (2018 Duke commit) style. Cooper could become one of the top play makers that we have evaluated in the past five years.

Carlos Curry – GA South – 2018

Curry is one of the hot names coming out of the weekend. The 7-foot center is considering reclassification, but also picked up offers from Florida State, Buffalo and Tennessee last week. Originally committed to MTSU, Curry asked for his release after Kermit Davis left for the Ole Miss job. The Albany, Georgia, native showed exceptional mobility and athleticism for a prospect his size. Combined with his pro-like frame and Curry will be a prospect to keep an eye on in the upcoming months.

6-foot-11 forward Carlos Curry @_carloscurry has been a hot commodity since he decommitted from Middle Tennesee State

He has shown his ability to stretch the floor and finish around the basket this weekend @AlbEliteTigers pic.twitter.com/BjQv490b1d

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) April 8, 2018

Marcus Foster – Georgia Canes – 2019

Foster is a great new name that burst on the scene this weekend. The 6-4 shooting guard proved he can score the ball in a variety of ways. He showed a high follow through on his 3-point shot, which allowed him to score behind ball screens or on reversal passes. He also has the athleticism to finish electrically in transition.

Georgia Canes @CanesGa scored by committee

Marcus Foster @Marcus_Foster5 Christian Jackson @ChrisJack1_ Nahiem Alleyne @Nahiem10 and Tay Watson @TheRealTay35 shared the scoring load in a win earlier today @TheBryceis_Rght pic.twitter.com/gyXA7U0v1p

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) April 7, 2018

Cole Middleton – Hype Basketball – 2021

Middleton is a prospect that earned respect Saturday afternoon. The 6-5 forward threw down tomahawk dunks and blocked all sorts of shots on the back end of the press. The freshman hit a couple of step back jumpers as well when posting on the block. He will be a player to keep tabs on as he matures physically.

Ian Schieffelin – Stackhouse Elite 15U – 2021

Schieffelin is one of the more intriguing young prospects we saw on Saturday. The 6-7 power forward produces in a number of ways on the court. Primarily Schieffelin can score with his back to the basket with jump hooks or body through contact on the pivot. His hands and vision allow him to be a capable passer from the high post as well. His ability to rebound and the run the court should keep him in the headlines for Stackhouse Elite and Grayson High School in the future.

Ian Schieffelin @ian_schieffelin is a polished post player who rebounded well for Stackhouse Elite

He finished the game in double digits and converted over half of his points from the line pic.twitter.com/W4lAAMESzT

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) April 8, 2018

Tay Watson – Georgia Canes – 2019

The Georgia Canes will be a club to be reckoned with in 2018. Watson, a 6-7 forward, will be a big reason for their success. He is a bouncy athlete who brings big-time production each time he steps onto the court. He crashes the glass consistently and will finish in the paint with authority. He is the type of athlete that brings defensive versatility that college coaches covet in today’s game.

AJ Watts – GA South – 2019

The Columbus native is a FAST guard. The strong framed guard can turn the corner in a flash and finish in the paint among the trees. His ability to slash off of ball screens on the perimeter make him a consistent threat to score in the half court. Expect to hear Watts’ name plenty 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