17U Southeast Emerging Names from #Elite32

ATLANTA, GA – A full Sunday at Kell HS on the last of 4 days from OTR’s Elite 32 was designed to get eyes on a few teams predominantly from the Southeast region I hadn’t seen as much of as I would like.

Here are some names who emerged from that stretch of games that are worth tracking moving forward (Georgia high schools in parentheses):

By Keith Agran

Khalil Green | PG | 6-2 | Team Dickerson Black 16U | 2024 (Stratford Academy)

A top 10 player overall I’ve seen all spring and summer from a pure next-level translation standpoint, love the game from a complete guard who were he in Atlanta would be much more well-known, among my favorites and must-see stuff in the 2024 class on arguably a top 2 or 3 16U independent club in the state and part of a riveting backcourt that often features him alongside fellow monster riser Kymel Williams out of Athens.

JJ Walton | PF | 6-7 | PHS Southwest FL 17U | 2023

PHS Academy and Pro Holmes Sports out of Florida have consistently brought loaded rosters to our events this season, Walton is a grown man out there with superb athletic ability who can play bully ball but can really move as well, increased range on the jumper bumps him up a notch but the frame and movement are college-ready.

Nick Henry | SG | 6-1 | Team Bo Bell 17U | 2023 (Promise Prep)

One of Sunday’s bright spots was a sterling performance by Team Bo Bell led by Henry and physical guard Bryce Chinn of Holy Innocents’, Henry’s transfer to North Gwinnett may not happen so a return to Promise Prep seems likely, a pure scorer’s mentality and high IQ approach for this intriguing guard to watch as Bo Bell will be back in the final live period at our Power 24.

Dante Harrison | CG | 6-1 | Smyrna Stars 17U | 2023 (Cumberland Christian)

Clearly coming into his own at the right time as he’s posted some gaudy scoring numbers and playing in a backcourt with recently reclassed 6-5 former Marietta star Isaac Jones of TSF Prep has vaulted both into view big time, Harrison’s off to Cumberland Christian his final year to play alongside Stars teammate Christian Bacon and the confidence has been clear as day as he is taking and making big shots either as a facilitator or wing threat.

Reese White | PF | 6-7 | PHS Academy 17U | 2023

Teamed with good-looking 6-7 forward prospect Nick Cassano in what was a highly efficient and skilled frontcourt duo for another standout PHS group, both had back-to-the-basket proficiency, ran the floor well and had range to pull bigs away from the basket, both White and Cassano are must-see stuff heading into our upcoming Power 24.

Joah Chappelle | SG | 6-6 | Georgia Achiever Academy 16U | 2024 (pictured at top)

GAA was playing up and Chappelle remains a real under-publicized gem from the south side of Atlanta, great size for the 2-spot and a game that is just now scratching the surface with untapped inside-out versatility, this will be a big year for him with a Dutchtown team that has a ton of weapons as he can ease into a starring role more likely set for ’23-24 going against top talent day in and day out in practice.

Keith Agran has lived in Georgia since 2011 and joined OTR as a National Evaluator in 2021. He previously scouted for Prep Hoops dating back to 2019 and has both a championship-coaching background on the HS-level and daily newspaper writing experience, both from New Jersey. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.