Former Michigan and Cleveland Cavaliers coach John Beilein has called passing one of the most underrated skills in basketball. He told The Athletic this in 2022: “Here’s the thing that I think is way underrated: passing. Foot speed is obviously huge and quickness, but guys who can really pass can really defend too, because there’s an anticipatory component there. It’s the same thing on defense. Guys who see the game on offense also see it on defense and can make up for any lack of quickness they might have.”

Today we look back at the best passers that took the court on the OTR Circuit. What stood out is that most of these players brought more than just passing. They impacted the game in multiple ways. Here is Part I of a look at standout passers from the 17U division this season.

The Stars

If we were to give an award for best passer on the Circuit, it likely would have gone to Bryce Hoffert of Sunshine Elite. He earned a reputation as a shooter in his underclassmen years. Yet over time, it became clear that the 6-foot-6 wing is an all-around player. At the GBCA Live Period in June, On the Radar Hoops reported that “Hoffert is a great connector. He has tremendous feel and a nose for the ball. He can score when needed but lets the game come to him and makes the right play.”

Class of 2027 point guard Gavin Reed provided a more traditional role of distributor for Team Gold Coast this year. He mixed setting up teammates with scoring when the opportunity was there. His ability to bring balance to his team is what made him an MVP candidate this year.

Michael Wright Jr. is another player that breaks the mold on what a high-level passer should look like. The 6-foot-5 guard played with talented scorers in the Gold Elite backcourt. He made the game easier for those players. His play on the OTR Circuit helped him build the reputation that led to a Preseason Player of the Year candidate nod on Sandy’s Spiel.

Class of 2027 guard Luke Beaver was a force all year long with Georgia Legacy. The highlight of his year came when he delivered a triple-double at the Power 24. The 6-foot-2 guard did it all for his squad, but his passing was the through-line for his success. Expect that skill to be what translates quickest to the next level.

Break Runners

There are different flavors of passers. Some players like Jaylen Ivy with TWU like to push the tempo and force defenses to catch up. He first stood out in March with his work in 2-on-1 and 3-on-2 situations.

Warriors Life Elite built their reputation as a program that thrived on defense and up-tempo finishing. Class of 2027 Kasyn Chase was at the head of that machine. He is a clear example of Beilein’s point — good passers often see the game the same way on the defensive end.

Nyjil Lucas was another point guard we noted for his two-way abilities. He earned recognition as one of the top defenders on the Circuit, so naturally he was impactful in the transition game. His willingness to pitch ahead or drop off to teammates in space made him an impact player for PSB Tampa.

The Generals

Coaches love the players they can hand the keys to and trust to keep the offense moving. Atlanta Kings called upon the steadiness of Promise Palmer quite a bit. Their team thrived in the hectic chaos that their defense often created. When it came time to set the table and get the ball to their scorers, Palmer was the one who made it happen.

There is no better example of this than Armond Smith, who was named OTR Circuit Finals MVP last month with Sewer South. With a roster full of scorers and players hungry to get buckets, Smith was the one who made it all work.

Atlanta Standard was a first-year program on the OTR Circuit this year, but it was hard to tell because of the stability that Dave Cannon brought to the backcourt for Coach Les Strech and company. You can catch him this winter playing for Johnson Ferry Christian Academy.

Kam Thomas was one of the few 2028 point guards to thrive in the 17U division. Coach Tat Brooks promoted Thomas for the express purpose of development and experience with the Warner Robins All-Stars. But Thomas rarely looked like someone still getting used to the level. He often excelled.

Written, edited, and formatted for web by the author.

Jonathan Hemingway is a senior writer for On the Radar Hoops. He has covered basketball for the site since 2013 and has been involved in the game since 1995 as a coach, camp director, and evaluator. Reach him at CoachHemi@gmail.com or follow @CoachHemi on X and @Coach_Hemi on Instagram.