For as long as I’ve been doing this, the first live period is all about information gathering. Coaches use it as an opportunity to determine recruiting targets for the summer. It’s the best tone setter for the rest of the summer. June is when offers start to come in more, and July is the peak of it all. May, however, ignites the process. 

Here are some of the names who best used this weekend to build buzz going into the summer: 

Tim Johnson - Sewer South - 2027 

Johnson has 6-foot-10 size and mobility that can’t be taught.  From the first weekend of the season, it was clear that Johnson was going to be one of the best defensive prospects on the OTR Circuit. That case was only bolstered this weekend with high-level rim protection and multipositional versatility. Johnson made everyone think twice about scoring in the paint. Johnson flushed impressive dunks and showed off impressive touch on hooks away from the basket. He’s a guy with plenty of DI potential. 

Preston Liston - Sewer South - 2027 

Liston has had a good 2026. Whether helping lead Lassiter to one of its best seasons, or playing with Sewer South, Liston has used his time on the court to show he’s a player coaches need to be adding to their watchlists. His shooting is his signature trait. Liston is among the best in the state when he gets going. He’s not just a stand-in-the-corner guy though. Liston can help with playmaking duties with good passing, feel. 

Michael Wright - Gold Elite - 2027 

A look at a Gold Elite court will see Wright stand out physically. He’s 6-foot-5 with plus length and a stronger-looking frame. The physical traits are apparent. Watching a game unfold will impress even more. He serves as a point wing for them with tremendous vision and passing instincts. He can see over defenses and thread the ball through tight spaces when needed. Wright can score it with athleticism, and he guards the ball well too. His passing was a separator though. That’s a skillset that’ll help him at the next level whether playing on ball or as a secondary playmaker. 

Chase Daniels - Elevate Huskies - 2027 

A sneaky inclusion, Daniels may not be the 6’10 defensive monster or a long above-the-rim type, but he is a smart player who can help run a team and consistently hit shots. Just through seeing Mount Vernon consistently through the years, Daniels is a player who I’ve seen progress substantially. Shotmaking has been part of his game for a while. He’s gotten better as an on-ball player, and he’s got a sneaky motor to go with his IQ. Daniels will grab his share of 50/50 balls including rebounds. After seeing him on Friday, then subsequently seeing him pop up on my timeline throughout the weekend, Daniels had as much of a breakout weekend as anyone. 

Zihong Fan - Sunshine Elite - 2027 

Fan was a buzz-worthy name throughout the weekend. The 6-foot-5 lefty has a versatile game. He can play on the perimeter or closer to the basket with some craft and plenty of patience wherever he’s at. Fan doesn’t get rushed, and he maximizes efficiency by never forcing plays or settling for suboptimal looks. Fan does an excellent job of using pivots and playing on balance to create shooting windows for himself. He’s a competitor on defense as well. 

Josh Tec has been covering prep basketball in Georgia and nationally since 2020. He has served myriad roles as a writer and evaluator, including editor-in-chief. Tec has a degree in journalism from Georgia State. Follow his work on X (Twitter) @_joshtec.