The OTR Circuit kicked off a little less than a month ago. The picture is beginning to form on which teams ought to be considered the favorites to compete for a title this July. Here are the team names that have jumped out with early momentum.

17U

Sewer South was the early favorite among OTR scouts and writers as the team with the deepest roster on the 17U Circuit. Point guard Armond Smith exploded for some big games during the Atlanta Classic. Jordan Wiseman earned praise last weekend for his shooting. The big men Junior Phillips and Tim Johnson present a front line that is as formidable as any on the circuit right now.

OTR Tourney Record: 8-4

Team S.M.A.S.H. Pro made a big splash this spring with a roster that combines frontcourt size and backcourt talent. Jiothiang Wuor continues to wow observers with his athleticism above the rim, while Byron Lee is an ideal wing for this team. Point guard Iverson Freeman continues to earn praise as one of the top lead guards on the circuit.

OTR Tourney Record: 7-5

Team Gold Coast did not come onto the circuit quietly. After back-to-back weekends at the North Carolina Opening and the Main Event, they are earning praise as one of the hottest teams playing right now. Guard Donovan Swain has earned recognition at each event he has played. Some hold him up as the top guard on the circuit at this moment. He is flanked in the backcourt by guards Gavin Reed and Santana Henderson to make a complete perimeter trio.

OTR Tourney Record: 6-2

Triangle Offense Elite has re-emerged as a favorite to compete with the best on the circuit this year. The guard trio of Chase Mohn, William Gause, and Nick Levi has been tough to contain so far this spring. Mohn is one of the most dynamic scorers we have watched this spring. Gause is a steady two-way lead guard capable of impacting the game with his passing, defense, or scoring. Nick Levi is a name that deserves more recognition.

OTR Tourney Record: 6-2

Other programs to track…

Elite Playmakers have recorded six wins over their first three events. We noted their top players after the first weekend here.

Only1Elite has played tough so far this season. They have played shorthanded at times and have drawn some of the toughest matchups. Guards Essien Lockleer and Maki Mitchell can score quickly. Daniel Hollis, a forward, is gaining momentum.

Team EYA played in one event last month and recorded a perfect 4-0 weekend. Guard Kyree Taylor was dominant in his showing at the Atlanta Classic. He is receiving multiple high-major offers this spring.

G-Force Ryders have notched a 5-2 record at two events, while the Atlanta Kings turned in a perfect 5-0 record this month.

16U

HWPO is at the top of this group with 9 wins over three weekends of play. Point guard Cam Blackman has been stellar so far. He is scoring the ball at a high rate and is earning recognition from scouts each weekend. Wings Landon Ezzell and Moses Alls have been productive as well and should be tracked the rest of this spring.

OTR Tourney Record: 9-3

Sewer South is a stout program from top to bottom this year, because their talent is not isolated to their 17U team. There is an argument to be made that their 16U team is even more lethal than their older group. Kamari Kilgore is picking up momentum as a top prospect in the circuit, regardless of class and position.

OTR Tourney Record: 8-4

Team S.M.A.S.H. Pro shows up once again in this age group with a talented group. Steffan Jacques is a wing with size and skill. Dau Yak earned recognition at the March Southern Hoops Report Showcase and is following that up with productive weekends with this group. Point guard Jaryn Williams is the guy who keeps it glued together with playmaking and ball handling.

OTR Tourney Record: 8-4

PSB Tampa Robinson has appeared in one tournament and posted a perfect record. Guards Omar Nicholson and Jeremy Chavers are talented with size (6-3). Daviss Jones is a 6-7 who is showing promise.

OTR Tourney Record: 3-0

OBG made a loud entrance with their 3-0 record last weekend at the Florida Opening. Rabi Bongo averaged a double-double while earning whispers about being the top player on the circuit. Yaddiel Sanchez and Elias Alvarez aided this group in their dominant wins.

OTR Tourney Record: 3-0

Keep an eye on…

Devin Butts Elite turned in a perfect 4-0 record last weekend at the Main Event. A trio of prospects from Middle Georgia look to be out to a quick start. Brayden Henry (Valdosta), Najee Reynolds (Hancock), and Zion Dixon (East Laurens) are leading this group so far.

Team EYA, Warriors Life Elite, and the Georgia Stunners all turned in 3-1 records at their first event. All have shown promise in their single appearance on the OTR Circuit.

15U

Everything Earned Elite has been dominant this season, turning in a circuit-high 11 wins over three weekends. They have a roster full of talent which includes Joetavious Havior, Kingston Allen, and Damon Flint. They have hit their stride early this season and are making their case for the top spot in this age group.

OTR Tourney Record: 11-1

Flo Elite is another team full of young talent with a competitive spirit. Micah Joyner has been the star of this team so far. The 5-foot-11 guard fills the stat sheet consistently with points, rebounds, and assists. Robert Adams has been on the way up, earning recognition as a high-energy rebounder and paint scorer. Keep an eye on Robert Townswell as he is trending as a lengthy post player who gives teams problems with his length.

OTR Tourney Record: 9-2

PNP has been tabbed by scouts as one of the top teams in the 15U division. Ashton Burt, Kamani Hillis, Miles Thornton, and Trey Wilson have all had their moments leading the team. They have recorded six wins even with one of those weekends being spent in the 16U division at the Atlanta Classic.

OTR Tourney Record: 6-2

Atlanta Standard is a new program to the Circuit and has made a positive impression. Guards Liam McTeer and Bear Bridges have been key to early success. They have a wealth of size and athleticism on the front line as well, with Bryson Dickey, Alex Faloye, and Aiden Singleton all earning minutes and experience for the squad. Sam Cockrell and Logan Hunt have also earned attention with their play this spring.

OTR Tourney Record: 6-2

Trending Teams…

Wood Elite and Team Person have made strong impressions over two weekends, with each turning in 7-1 records. The Gwinnett Eagles and the Georgia Stunners have made a single appearance and emerged with a 3-1 record.

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.