The Opening hosted in Florida and North Carolina gave a solid first look at OTR Circuit teams as the season gets underway. Multiple teams delivered strong showings across the 17U, 16U, and 15U divisions with impressive records and standout individual performances.

We connected with our on-site evaluators from both the Florida Opening and the North Carolina Opening last weekend to give us courtside feedback.

Ross Van De Griek had this to write about the Circuit teams from Florida:

Harris Athletics: I was really impressed with 6-foot-8 eighth grader Troy Phillip as he scored in double figures in all three games last weekend. Phillip has played a mature game that goes beyond his years where he was playing against 16- and 17-year-olds where he was just bullying his way through the paint and finishing over multiple defenders. I think they have done a great job building that program into being one of the top-tier teams in the state.

OBG Elite: OBG has made huge strides from Year 1 to Year 2 where they are led by program director Alex Lugo where they continue to bring in international kids where they were led by 6-foot-10 freshman power forward Rabi Bongo who could be a matchup problem for opponents over the course of the next several years. 

PSB Tampa Bay: The 17U program coached by Colin Robbie has always been one of the more respected programs in the OTR circuit as Coach Robbie continues to build his players up for the next level. Coach Robbie had huge success last year in having several players sign to play at the collegiate level, so with this year's roster I can fully expect a few more to be playing at the next level.

Sunshine Elite: Coach (Elgani) has made his program into a regionally recognized organization that could be up for debate as one of the top programs that are independent. I was really impressed with how unselfish his team plays, which is led by two outstanding point guards in the Central Florida area in 5-foot-11 junior Whitfield Bynoe and 5-foot-11 junior Cory McPherson. 

Miguel Ribeiro reported this feedback from the North Carolina Opening:

“The OTR Circuit showed exactly why it continues to be one of the more intriguing platforms in southeast America. There was real talent in the North Carolina Opening from top to bottom, with D1 to D3-level players spread across the weekend and several teams proving they are more than just collections of names. Going forward, Charlotte Aces OTR, Team Gold Coast OTR, and Twelve Time OTR are three programs I would absolutely keep tracking because they brought the kind of toughness, chemistry, and upside that can make real noise this spring and summer.”

17U

·       Sunshine Elite went 2-1 in their first showcase with a loss to a tough OBG squad. Whit Bynoe led the charge offensively, averaging 22.7 PPG, 4.3 APG, and 3.6 RPG. Cory McPherson and Bryce Hoffert controlled the pace and attitude of the team all weekend. Newcomers Zihong Fan (6’4) and Kaiden Zenkner (6’10) contributed big minutes, knocking down open shots and patrolling the paint.

·       PSB Tampa had a strong weekend with several stock risers. Jonah Daniel (6’0 G) averaged 13 PPG, 3 RPG, and 3 APG while shooting 58% from three (10-17). He looks to be one of the top 2-way players on the Circuit. Micah Jarvis (6’5 G) was the weekend stock riser averaging 9 PPG and shot 36% from three while showing the ability to score from all three levels and guard multiple positions.

·       G-Force Ryders 17U featured Walter Brown as their go-to player. While Denzel Johnson was the glue guy who played with high energy off the bench and led the team in scoring in their first game.

·       Warriors Life Elite 2027 leaned on guard Kasyn Chase, who averaged 24 PPG, 5 RPG, 3 APG, and 2 SPG. He dropped 28 points versus A Wigg UAA. Forward Seven Pounds also contributed with a 15-point, 15-rebound performance.

·       Pursuing Greatness Elite competed well despite missing three key bigs (6’7, 6’9, and 6’11). Jaylen Lampkins was unstoppable, averaging close to 20 points and 8 assists per game. At full strength, this squad can match-up with anyone on the circuit.

·       Grindhouse Lakers NC had Kieji Cunningham (2027) average 13.7 PPG and 8 rebounds while Kweli Reels (2026) scored 24 points in a game versus CP3 Unsigned Senior.

·       FAA Kings Elite featured Johnathan Reyes, Zee Davis, and Jaden Andino as notable players.

16U

·       Sunshine Elite went 2-1 in their first showcase behind a high-energy group. Leon Lowman Jr. (6’7) averaged 18 PPG, 11 RPG, and 4 blocks. Eli Basili and newcomer Kaiden King (6’4 W) also contributed significantly. This group ought to earn attention all year long.

·       PSB Tampa went 3-0 with an average margin of victory of 26 points. Omar Nicholson (6’3 G) averaged 15 PPG and 9 RPG while Adrian Pozo (6’3 G) averaged 12 PPG and 5 APG, shooting 43% from three.

·       OBG 16U established themselves as a favorite on this year’s OTR Circuit. They won each game in dominant fashion. They dropped 105 points in one game and won by 80 points. Rabi Bongo averaged 20 PPG and 12 RPG, Yaddiel Sánchez averaged 18 PPG and 10 RPG, and Elias Álvarez averaged 16 PPG, 6 APG, and 4 SPG. This 2028 squad is loaded with talent and introduced themselves in authoritative fashion in their first weekend.

·       Pursuing Greatness Elite featured Armand Sano, who displayed maturity far beyond his age. Just turning 16, he made two clutch free throws to win the final game of the weekend.

·       Grindhouse Lakers NC highlighted several young contributors including Anthony Rosa (2028) with 22 points in a game versus MillyBoys, along with Eli Shongnaie (2027, 6’3) and Cristian Finley (2028, 6’6).

15U

·       Sunshine Elite 15U went undefeated in their first showcase, averaging 83 PPG as a team. Jeremiah Gordon led the way with 17 PPG and 5 rebounds while Hector Nieves averaged 15 PPG and 6 APG. Kendrick Feurfino also averaged over 14 PPG, and 6’10 Kymamy Bango controlled the paint.

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 and follow him on X @CoachHemi and Instagram @Coach_Hemi.