On The Radar and HoopSeen teamed up for the second annual Main Event. The pair gathered several of the south’s best programs in Gwinnett County for an elite weekend. Here’s who stood out: 

Xavier Barber - Norcross Heat - 2028

Coach Joe has a complete game changer in his backcourt at Norcross Heat 16U. Over a month into this AAU season Xavier just keeps putting on a show as a scoring first guard. With his quick twitches and acceleration it’s hard to stay in front of him. Xavier has amazing body control which helps him make tough finishes in traffic. He has natural scoring instincts that separates him from others. Defensively he has elite lateral quickness, fast hands, and constantly beats defenders to their desired spot. As the younger brother of one of the top scorers in the state this year, Mekhi Barber, Xavier has big shoes to fill but he is definitely trending in the right direction. 

Bleu Lewis - World Smash Pro - 2028

Talking to Coach A. Rob, he was very adamant that Bleu is a high IQ guard that can stretch the floor.  He did a great job at dribble penetration, finishing at the rim and knocking down the trey ball. Bleu excels at game management and keeping his composure under pressure. He showcases the ability to run multiple different sets and quickly notices defensive schemes. Coach Johann is very high on him and constantly puts him in position to succeed. Going into his junior year this summer at Grayson High School, I expect Bleu to make a strong case to become one of the lead guards next year.

Cordell Nelson - Team Person -  2027

Cordell is a dynamic force in the painted area. He has the ability to block or alter shots without fouling. He’s a strong, athletic, versatile defender that can guard on the perimeter. He rebounds the ball at an elite level and loves sitting in the dunker spot waiting on drop offs to finish strong at the rim. Cordell has a high pick and roll IQ, great mobility, and one of the best at rim running. With his great athleticism it helps him finish high above the basket in lob or putback dunk situations. Cordell is a great fit under Coach Persons, who is known for developing talent and getting kids to the next level.

CJ Crumpler - Promise Elite - 2029

Grayson head coach, G. Pierce has yet another upcoming high level guard in CJ Crumpler. He is an elite, playmaking, scoring guard. He possesses a nice size and understanding of the game. He plays winning basketball, has great vision and plays with amazing pace. CJ is a very efficient shooter, excels on or off the ball, has good length, and a strong instinct for disruption on the defensive end. With his size and feel for the game CJ can definitely become one of the top prospects in the state. Going into his sophomore season at Grayson High School his minutes will more than likely increase significantly. 

Malachi Edgell - Atlanta Xpress - 2027

Malachi is an absolute stud! The big, athletic, skillful guard, standing at 6’6” is  a nightmare matchup. He can score in a variety of ways, off the dribble with hesitation pullups, coming off pindowns, or simply just catch and shoot situations. He loves to get out in transition and play above the rim. Malachi also can play lead guard and be your primary playmaker. He is a lefty so it makes defenders deal with unfamiliar driving paths and shooting mechanics. He has received a few D1 offers already, I only see the numbers climbing tremendously in the upcoming months. With his size and skillset, Malachi has the ability to get steals, block shots and instantly turn defense into offense. He plays with so much passion and tenacity and he’s never afraid of taking the big shot. Malachi is definitely a must watch this AAU season.