OTR Hoops: #OTRElite32 Thursday Standouts from Next Play 360 – July 16, 2024

Marietta, GA- The On the Radar Elite 32 was held this past weekend during the first NCAA Live Period for the month of July. Over 120 college coaching staffs were on hand evaluating the action. Here is a look at some players who had breakout performances to increase their recruiting interest from the action on Thursday July 14^th at Next Play 360

By: Joel Hillsman

2025 Anthony Jones– North Point Youth (FL)- Jones displayed his ability to score and his shooting touch by knocking down six three-pointers and finishing with 24 points in a win over Team Forrest. Jones routinely scored over 20 points in a variety of ways including in transition, on the drive and from the perimeter. Jones shares the ball well, knows how to play off the ball, plays sound defense and showed leadership qualities that was a big part of North Point Youth posting a 6-1 mark over the weekend.

Unclassified Kiran Morgan– All Georgia Elite (GA)- Morgan was a bit of an unknown entering the weekend as the Georgia native has lived in Dubai for most of his high school years. Morgan, a bone cancer survivor, is an athletic and versatile player with length. He can slash to the basket, hit the perimeter shot, defends at a high level and rebounds well. High IQ for the game is easily seen and is a prospect to be tracked moving forward.

2025 Vonterrius Bivins- AE5 Florida (FL)- Bivins is short dynamic guard who provided an instant stark off the bench in the game we tracked. That spark became a constant flame as Bivins finished with 18 points and 5-plus assists with crafty drives to the bucket, deadly shooting from the perimeter to go with an in-your-face defensive style. He engineered AND commanded the offense, communicated on defense, and plays bigger than his sub six-foot size.

2025 John Angau– Game Speed Elite (FL)- The 6’4 Angau’s athleticism is the first thing that stands out. Then he shows you a skill set that, while is still raw, has a high ceiling. He shoots it well from the perimeter, scores off the drive, moves well without the ball and is always somewhere around a 50/50 ball. Defensively he is always looking to make a play with his constant activity and nonstop motor.

2026 Jacob Zhu (Pictured at Top)– Team Person- Zhu is part of the Chinese National Team and showed why. The 6’0 guard is dangerous of the dribble, off the catch and knows how to get to his spots and finish. In a win over the Florida Rebels 2027 Zhu connected on six three-pointers enroute to 27 points. When Zhu was not scoring, he was engineering an offense that builds players for the next level and beyond. Defensively his quick active hands lead to strips, deflections, and steals. Zhu’s ceiling is exceedingly high and with continued development and growth his recruitment will grow.

2025 Akachukwu “Kennedy” Okpara– AOT 17U- The 6’7 Okpara continues to develop his overall game. He is scoring around the rim over both shoulders, passing out of double teams to create scoring opportunities for others and is more active on the defensive end. His length is a crucial factor on defense and the improvement in the mid-range game is coming along.

2027 Chase Lumpkin– AOT 17U- Lumpkin in over two months has become a better off the ball player. This improvement has added another element to his scoring package and overall game. He was able to dictate defenses which allowed his assists numbers to increase and scoring opportunities whether on the drive, with the perimeter game or now scoring off the ball. Defensively he continues to put pressure on defenders above the arc and cause turnovers for easy offensive buckets.

2025 Keaton Wagler– VMBA Elite- Wagler flat out knows how to play the game of basketball. His IQ is extremely high which leads to very efficient play. Wagler knows how to score in a variety of ways whether off the bounce, on the perimeter, off the ball and using defense to create offense. All of these opens him up to set teammates up for easy baskets as well. The highlight of the weekend was his game-winning field goal in sudden death overtime by driving left and finishing with his left hand while contested.