Impact Transfers – Part 1
ATLANTA, GA – With transfer portal news making national headlines at the college level and impacting rosters in massive ways, the similar phenomenon of the high school transfer player certainly has become a notable topic around the state of Georgia as well.
Movement of players has certainly picked up pace in recent years, and this year’s chase for every classification will potentially be impacted by one or more geography-changing hoopsters.
In Part 1 we’ll work our way down starting with 7A guys whose arrival at their new destination could have far-reaching effects, and use 3 Impact Levels, all with certainly some noteworthy level of roster-alteration – MASSIVE, IMMEDIATE, ROTATIONAL:
By: Keith Agran
Roc Lee | 6-7 | CG | 2024
NEW SCHOOL: Berkmar
PRIOR SCHOOL: Pebblebrook
Had the uber-talented CG stayed at Pebblebrook he would have added another dynamic element to what was already a stout 7A contender. In Lilburn, he’ll almost certainly be the top option and has a chance to really shine in the spotlight as he’s only nudged out of the top 10 in the class by what is a wildly deep group of juniors. But for me Lee makes a sterling impression wherever he goes playing with a ton of confidence and combining such physicality at either guard spot with a seriously sharp hoop mind. With fellow transfers sophomores Eddie Cooke III and New Jersey 6-9 import Mehki Ragland it’ll be somewhat of a new-look Pats roster but certainly still well-coached and dangerous.
IMPACT LEVEL: MASSIVE
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Anthony Alston | 6-2 | SG | 2024
NEW SCHOOL: Grayson
PRIOR SCHOOL: Dacula
We recently highlighted fellow 2024 transfer guard CJ Hyland who arrives from Lanier for his play at SH Report’s Fall Jamboree, and if that level keeps up Hyland’s impact will be massive for sure. But after seeing the chemistry of Alston fitting in with the Rams back in June it was easy to see how the sharpshooter has changed what was already a top 5-type returning crew. The shooting takes pressure off of 2024 stud wing Gicarri Harris and by moving other returning talented Rams pieces to the bench deepens the backcourt options for Coach Geoffrey Pierce.
IMPACT LEVEL: IMMEDIATE
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Keishawn Hampton | 6-2 | PG | 2023
NEW SCHOOL: Collins Hill
PRIOR SCHOOL: Meadowcreek
The three-headed returning trio of 2023’s Amare Banks, Jayden Williams and Kai McArthur was already looking good, but adding a true PG like Hampton, who is one of the ATL-Metro’s best shooters and an ace defender, only deepens the core. He can be a devastating spot-up shooting option when McArthur handles it, or be the kind of college-level distributor impactful wing talents like Banks and Williams can feed off of. If monster football prospect Ethan Davis suits up rather than getting ready for his football fall, a new dynamic emerges.
IMPACT LEVEL: IMMEDIATE
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Cameron Smith | 6-5 | SG | 2025
NEW SCHOOL: Pebblebrook
PRIOR SCHOOL: Kell
A notable standout from our OTR Breakout Camp back in August the long wing will soften the impact some of Roc Lee moving on to Berkmar, and with a senior core led by Jaiun Simon, Xavier Bell and Chris Hickman the Falcons will no doubt be right in the mix yet again with a competitive schedule to prove their mettle. The true monster breakout year for Smith on the scene is more likely set for ’23-24, but he will surely give Coach George Washington options at both ends with his athleticism and versatility.
IMPACT LEVEL: IMMEDIATE
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JD Palm | 6-9 | C | 2025 (pictured at top)
NEW SCHOOL: McEachern
PRIOR SCHOOL: Dothan, AL
It’s a near embarrassment of riches in Powder Springs as Palm comes in along with 2023 guard Jamichael Davis to a roster already power-packed with studs like high major 2024 Ace Bailey, underrated senior forwards Jalen Hilliard and Earnest Ofremu, good-looking 2024 incoming Philadephia-area guard Moses Hipps, and rising 2025 guards Rhys Cotton and Christian Curl just to name a few. Palm is being talked about as a soon-to-be recognized top 10 level prospect in the class by some outlets, giving Coach Tremayne Anchrum the always good but sometimes tricky luxury of a roster loaded with talent. The stands will certainly be busy with coaches and scouts when the Indians take the floor.
IMPACT LEVEL: MASSIVE
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Jelani Hamilton | 6-6 | SG | 2023
NEW SCHOOL: Wheeler
PRIOR SCHOOL: Cumberland Christian
Much like the other programs listed here Hamilton joins a Wildcat roster that was already loaded and being talked about as obvious #1 team in the state material. Now the Iowa St-signee slots in next to the 2023 class’ top player nationally in Isaiah Collier and after getting a glimpse of them at North Atlanta’s fall league at full speed it was frightening stuff for opponents. CCA played a super-tough schedule last year giving Hamilton a chance to show off his skillset often around town, a trip to the Big 12 tells you all you need to know about how impressive an offensive player he is. Could be quite the show night in and night out with Hamilton, Collier and frontcourt towers Arrinten Page, Josh Hill and Cameron Brown on the receiving end of such precision passing.
IMPACT LEVEL: MASSIVE
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Mari Jordan | 6-7 | SF | 2023
NEW SCHOOL: Norcross
PRIOR SCHOOL: Legacy Early College, SC
How much the defending 7A champs needed with stud 2023 returnees Mier Panoam, Samarion Bond and Michael Zhang set to return and top coach Jesse McMillan continuing his sideline wizardry could be debated, but certainly adding an athlete the caliber of Jordan is not something any sane tactician says no to. From highly-regarded youngster to now a mature and versatile threat from all levels, Jordan gives the returning core help up front with his ability to play power ball and backcourt assistance as he can handle it some and shoot out to deep ranges. Add recently-arrived 2023 PG Bilal-Abdur Rahman from WD Mohammed and intriguing 2024 guard Toby Ojukwu from New Jersey and the smiles certainly got a little wider over in Blue Devil country.
IMPACT LEVEL: MASSIVE
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Jacob Wilkins | 6-8 | PF | 2025
NEW SCHOOL: Parkview
PRIOR SCHOOL: Heritage-Conyers
Certainly the last name catches your eye when you think about what this highly-regarded sophomore can be, and I’ve seen the flashes in person. But with some really good pieces around him he’ll have a chance to develop at a pace where Dominique’s son won’t be entirely reliant on being the guy. The natural gifts are obvious with such length to go with the movement, he’ll naturally be an active interior presence at both ends alongside rising 2024 Adonai Mussie in an imposing frontcourt duo. There’s returning experience in the backcourt joining sniper Luke Strickland, who arrives back home from Vertical Academy in NC, and once stud footballer Mike Matthews Jr (an absolute game-changer in hoops as well) gets into uniform this has a chance to be a sneaky contender for a deep 7A run.
IMPACT LEVEL: IMMEDIATE
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 has both a championship-coaching background on the HS-level and daily newspaper writing experience, both from New Jersey. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.
