This spring on the OTR Circuit, the 16U division was stacked with talent and produced some serious team success across the board. A handful of guys carried their squads deep into the schedule with big scoring nights, defensive intensity, leadership, and all-around impact. Here are the players who earned strong consideration for Most Valuable Player in the 16U division.

Yehor Koshelev – OBG – 2028

OBG ran up a perfect 16-0 record on the circuit this spring. They had a number of players step up throughout the weekends. However, the weekend that Koshelev turned in at the Sweet Sixteen in May pushes him forward as the team’s MVP. Here is what evaluator Phil McCarn wrote about him from that event, “6'11 big with impressive strength and physical presence. Catches everything cleanly, finishes strong at the rim, and runs the floor hard to capitalize on transition opportunities. High-upside prospect with tools that translate.”

Cameron Blackman – HWPO – 2028

In terms of what any single player has meant to the success of their team, it is hard to argue that anyone has meant more than Blackman to HWPO this year. The 6-foot guard is the lead handler and primary scorer for the team who won more games on the circuit than any other team this spring. Blackman is not a high-volume shooter who pads his stats for attention. He is a terrific competitor willing to give effort on either end of the floor. High character and IQ are other descriptors for the point guard from Mill Creek. Expect his name to trend in July.

Jaryn Williams – Team S.M.A.S.H. – 2028

Williams is one of the best athletes on the Circuit regardless of division. He split some time between 16U/17U for Team S.M.A.S.H. this spring. Given his ability to defend and finish at the rim, his productivity is not situationally dependent. Williams and Team S.M.A.S.H. finished with 17 wins, which ranked them second overall in terms of total wins. The combination of team success and Williams’s impact puts his place on this list secure.

Leon Lowman Jr. – Sunshine Elite – 2028

Sunshine Elite is a strong program with representation at the top of all three divisions on the OTR Circuit. The 16U team turned in a 13-3 record and is poised to make a run at the July titles. Lowman is the anchor for this team. He is a 6-foot-8 forward who led his team in points at 17 per game. He also blocked two and a half shots per game. His ability to run the floor plus the strength he presents in the paint are a combination worth paying attention to.

Lucas Fainter – Georgia Legacy – 2028

Fainter has been one of the most consistent players across all divisions this spring. He is routinely featured as a standout player each weekend. The upside of Fainter’s game is that he can produce across the stat sheet. He’s the type of do-it-all wing that can pass, rebound, and score from inside and outside. His 6-foot-4 frame is a problem for opposing defenses because Fainter is capable of punishing smaller guards on the block and he can pull bigger defenders away from the rim as he runs around screens.

Karl Mullins – Team Gold Coast – 2028

Mullins is another player who is routinely featured each weekend that he competes at an OTR Circuit event. He is wired to score. His quick release from 3-point range combined with his quick twitch crossovers make him a nightmare for opposing guards to corral. Team Gold Coast could certainly make a run in July behind Mullins’s talent and production.

Kamari Kilgore – Sewer South – 2028

Kilgore is another player who split some time between 16U and 17U for his program this spring. Had he put in 100% of his time with the 16U team, there might be more talk about Sewer South being THE favorite in this division. Kilgore is a complete guard when he suits up. He can handle and direct traffic from the point guard spot. He is also capable of getting buckets when his team needs them. If he returns to the court healthy in July, he will be a name that college coaches will circle in their notebooks coming out of the live period.

Travell Blake – Georgia Stunners – 2028

There were a handful of players on the Georgia Stunners 16U group that could earn a mention here. Blake checks in as the team’s leading scorer, which will earn him the nod. He is a 6-foot point guard who attends Alexander High School and looks to continue the tradition of excellence on the court for coach Jason Slate as well as the Stunners. Coach Anton Jackson spoke highly of Blake when we talked over Memorial Day Weekend. The tools and the potential are evident for Blake as he ascends on the OTR Circuit.

Jaleek Parson – Warriors Life Elite – 2028

Parson became one of the favorite prospects on the OTR Circuit among several scouts this spring. He played with heart and passion on both ends of the floor. He gives maximum effort as a defender while continually putting pressure on the rim as a slasher. No one should want to see Warriors Life Elite in their bracket in July. Parson leads a group of prospects who are hungry to win.

Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director, and evaluator. You can reach him at CoachHemi@gmail.com