OTR Hoops: Who Wants the Smoke Friday Top Performers – May 12, 2025

A list of standout players from Friday at Who Wants the Smoke? in Marietta, Georgia.

By: Kyle Sandy

2026 6-0 G Jayden Crawford – GA Canes OTR – Cristo Rey (Pictured)

Saving the best for last, Jayden Crawford put on a show in the 9:10 PM time slot as he unleashed eight three-pointers en route to 26 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in a 74-64 win. Crawford’s ascent is in full swing this spring, routinely hitting shots along the perimeter as the Canes have toppled opponent after opponent. Jayden’s sharpshooting can shift the momentum of a game in a hurry as he can pour in points quickly. Crawford is capable of playing both the 1 and the 2 in the backcourt. When he is off the ball, Jayden excels at moving to get free. He drained three of his triples from the corners and sank two off the bounce, one coming via a quick one-dribble sidestep. Crawford is a must-track prospect outside of the GHSA.

2026 6-3 Jason Welborn II – GA Canes OTR – Decatur

The second head of the Canes’ attack has been Jason Welborn. His consistency with his well-rounded offensive game has risen his stock greatly heading into the Live Period. Each time I see Welborn he looks more and more explosive. At first glance Jason may not stand out with any physical measurables, but once the ball is in his hands you can see what type of talent he is. Welborn provides highlight dunks and crafty finishes daily. He hangs in the air to finish against length and is a steady outside shooter. His defense stood out against Athletes 1^st, scoring thrice off steals. Jason pumped in 23 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 block in the 10-point win. Welborn is entering the conversation as one of the state’s most reliable off-guards.

2026 6-4 F Timbaland Mitchell – Athletes 1^st – Coosa

Long, wiry and bouncy, Timbaland Mitchell has nice tools to continue to develop. The stretch forward has a steady shooting touch, capable of knocking down jumpers from the mid-range and beyond the arc. Mitchell is effective in the high post with the ability to shoot off the catch or take one dribble to explode downhill. He is an active offensive rebounder with major upside defensively with his agility and wingspan, capable of switching multiple positions. Timbaland finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block against the GA Canes. Mitchell still needs to fill out his frame, but he could be an interesting option for JUCO programs over the next 12 months.

2026 6-0 PG JaKobe Williams – Team Tatum – Tucker

The lucky lefty emerged his junior season, leading Tucker to the Final Four. Williams was on his game Friday night as he powered Team Tatum with 21 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block in a 58-37 win. JaKobe is crafty with the ball. He shakes defenders and draws fouls in the paint. He went 5-7 from the line and sank a pair of threes. While defenses key in on stopping Williams, his court vision leads to easy buckets for his teammates. He keeps his dribble alive and whips in assists as defenders close in. Williams should garner traction with his recruitment sooner rather than later.

2027 6-7 W Carson Crawford – FL Rebels – Fleming Islands

Carson plays the full 94-feet. He is long, agile and athletic, making him the perfect piece to impact games in all ways imaginable. In a 71-29 win on Friday night, it was Crawford who set the tone with his defense in the press. Carson guarded the inbound pass, picking up numerous steals and deflections as the opposition struggled to get the ball past halfcourt. Crawford’s motor led to hustle points on the offensive glass. He filled the lanes in transition and caught three alley-oops for highlight slams. When settled in the halfcourt, Carson netted a three and attacked the basket gracefully. Crawford tallied 20 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals in the rout. Cincinnati and Jacksonville have both offered the burgeoning star.

2027 6-8 C Ahmed Mustapha – FL Rebels – Life Christian Academy

Nothing was getting past Ahmed on Friday. Mustapha was an impenetrable force in the paint, anchoring the backline of the Rebels’ defense as he swatted or altered shot after shot. The long-armed center contests everything with his blend of size and athleticism, a bouncy athlete that plays above the rim. On offense, Ahmed scored on a high-low feed and out of a pick-and-roll. He had a left-handed putback and maybe his most impressive play came on a coast-to-coast finger roll after collecting a rebound. Mustapha compiled 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 5 blocks.

2028 6-6 W Nijaun Harris – FL Rebels – St. Petersburg

Nothing about Nijaun Harris leads you to believe he was just a freshman this season. Harris has the physical gifts and overall skill to blossom into a blue-chip prospect. The state of Florida is already familiar with Harris’ game, dumping in 27.6 points per game as an encore to his 23.4 points as an eighth grader. Harris is a big, strong sturdy wing with the legitimate ability to play 1-5. He served more of a frontcourt role on Friday, creating major mismatches. Nijaun blends speed and strength with the ball. He has a lightning quick first step and a powerful spin move to get to the rim. He is a steady outside shooter that can stroke the three when he’s not playing bully-ball in the paint. Harris did a little bit of everything in a 42-point win, hanging 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Virginia Tech and Florida State have already offered.