Hoop Hustler’s Tipoff Classic – Can’t Miss Guys Pt 1

SUWANEE, GA – Outside of our own premier OTR schedule, the first of two Tipoff Classic events this one in April from Hoop Hustlers is one of the best events on the calendar.

I hung around Cts 6 and 7 for most of Saturday’s schedule to take in as much top-level 17U action as I could. Here is Part 1 of 2 on some guys who were hard to miss:

by Keith Agran

Micah Tucker | G | 2025 | Team Huncho (Mt Pisgah)

I'm far from the first to need to gush about the varied game Tucker puts out on the floor for @teamhunchobball, playing up with the 2024s is no sweat as he's built tough and goes on the attack with bravado and skill, just all the stuff packed into the modern day PG you want pic.twitter.com/PC1k4JPuMW

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 9, 2023

Shon Abaev | G | 2025 | SOH Elite (Calvary Christian, FL)

There's a ton to be impressed with in
Abaev playing up with @soh_elite 17U, at 6-7 he'll lurk around the arc for his sweet lefty stroke, but has some fluidity using the bounce which gets him into some old school mid-range conversions pic.twitter.com/OEAmK7mSyg

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 8, 2023

Amari Brown | G | 2024 | AE5 (Sandy Creek)

There's that guy Brown again, just a month or so off a state title with @SandyCreekHoops, looking really crisp with @AE5Basketball particularly setting guys up, but he puts so much pressure on the defense and has such composure pic.twitter.com/1I2vttJzZu

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 8, 2023

Chase McCarty | G/F | 2024 | Atlanta Xpress (Huntsville, AL)

After popping onto radars last summer in a big way last summer with @AtlXpress, McCarty playing well again today, he can get into the mix near the basket and power or finesse you, but also has 3to4 steps beyond the arc range to keep you guessing pic.twitter.com/rH6VvRWWC2

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 8, 2023

Christian Anderson Jr | G | 2024 | Atlanta Celtics (Lovett)

Cannot let Anderson get going if possible, easier said than done, but his 2H hot hand was a catalyst as @atl_celtics2024 came from being down most of the game to stave off SOH Elite in a good one pic.twitter.com/bX6hwzC0ad

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 8, 2023

Keith Agran has lived in Georgia since 2011 and joined OTR as a National Evaluator in 2021. He previously scouted for Prep Hoops dating back to 2019, and also spent 3 years as a sports writer at two newspapers in New Jersey. After a championship-coaching background on the HS-level also in NJ, he accepted the Girl’s Basketball Head Coaching position in May 2022 at Mt Bethel Christian Academy and now balances scouting and coaching still with a keen eye on talent around the region. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.