AAU Workout Visits – Play With Heart 17U

DECATUR, GA – Run by former Utah St assistant and current Lovett assistant Keenan Palmore, the Play With Heart organization stands to open some eyes this summer.

The 5 initial 2024’s who drew eyeballs last Saturday morning come from Tennessee (although they reside in ATL) and down the road from Clairmont Presbyterian Church, where the team holds its workouts.

By: Keith Agran

PLAY WITH HEART 17U

Kenneth Chime | F | McCallie (TN)

Getting a first look at Chime was more than eye-opening as the GA-resident attends the McCallie boarding school in Chattanooga so he is just making the rounds, but at 6-8 with frightening lift and the ability to finish with athletic flair was the day’s big highlight, erases as a rim protector using the same springiness, were he at one of the ATL-area power programs he would be among the talks of the town heading into this spring, reminds some of McEachern’s JD Palm and while perhaps not as polished offensively as the Indians 2024 forward the enormous possibilities as to where the Nigerian import’s game can go are beyond tantalizing.

Among a trio of good-looking @McCalliehoops 2024s playing with @PwhHeart and Lovett asst Keenan Palmore is 6-8 Kenneth Chime, and to say he packs massive intrigue is an understatement, this Nigerian import is long and rangy and springy, and is just now opening the tap pic.twitter.com/qSPEsvd4JL

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) March 4, 2023

Will Kwasigroch | G | McCallie (TN)

Liked his poise and comfort with the ball as a lead man, pretty jumper but on this day was much more present pushing pace and looking closer to the basket, strong body absorbs contact well and the handle is tight, heady defender with an eye for passing lanes, put up a solid all-around PG workout.

Playing with @PwhHeart 17U and also of @McCalliehoops with Chime are PG Will Kwasigroch (left) and wing Bryce Kennebrew, the former is poised with the ball and can attack or stroke it, while the latter has a college frame already and gets at the rim hard and fast pic.twitter.com/p2ulWb5wlT

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) March 4, 2023

Bryce Kennebrew | G | McCallie (TN)

The 3rd McCallie product who impressed has a college-ready frame at around 6-3 that immediately appealed, got better as the live play went on as he’s a bruising athlete on the attack but has enough glide to give you trouble that way as well, runs the floor super well and while the deep shooting wasn’t hugely on display as that emerges as a more consistent weapon the rest of the profile rises.

Josiah Marsh | F | Druid Hills

Watching Marsh work out is like watching a parred-down version of the dynamic star Ace Bailey of McEachern, while not as tall or the high major talent Bailey is you still find yourself waiting with bated breath for Marsh to unveil something spectacular, that’s the level of pure athlete he is as he continues to progress and build his multi-level scoring game around his stunning natural gifts, both this summer and heading into next season with the Red Devils as he gets the correct amount of touches the needed attention level on him should skyrocket.

Easy to spot and quick to standout, two @hills_druid 2024s with @PwhHeart, Josiah Marsh (left) as Malachi Smith are names to watch, Marsh can do it all and is honing the edges on a scary package, while the slick lefty Smith has solid lead guard instincts and pace to the basket pic.twitter.com/p2RBfgn28T

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) March 4, 2023

Malachi Smith | G | Druid Hills

With a group of senior guards handling the rock predominantly for the Red Devils this past winter it wasn’t quite Smith’s time, but with PWH and surely in a must-see backcourt with Marsh next winter he can show off some of the intriguing facets of his game, smooth lefty bringing it up the floor he showed off dangerous shooting range while also plenty of burst to the hole, superb defender on the ball and away from it, a name to watch.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

Isaac Benton, G, South Atlanta

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 also spent 3 years as a sports writer at two newspapers in New Jersey. After a championship-coaching background on the HS-level also in NJ, he accepted the Girl’s Basketball Head Coaching position in May 2022 at Mt Bethel Christian Academy and now balances scouting and coaching still with a keen eye on talent around the region. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.