OTR Elite 32 – Day 4 FACE-OFF – July 9, 2023

MARIETTA, Georgia, – The first weekend of the July period comes to an end today at the OTR Elite 32. We found several individual players who floated to the top with their play. Several underclassmen earned attention on Sunday. While a few shoe sponsored teams showed up for afternoon games after their circuit play had concluded. Here is a rundown of the action on the fourth and final day of The Elite 32.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Showtime Ballers on a Roll

Although the leader of the team from the spring, Paul Djobet, signed with the University of Miami last month, the Showtime Ballers have picked up right where they left off in the spring. They replaced Djobet with class of 2024 wing Roc Lee who has picked up some scoring responsibilities. Class of 2023 wings Mister Dean and Chris Mubiru continue to put up consistent numbers. Class of 2024 guard Jordin Bell earned praise this weekend with his shooting ability. While class of 2024 point guard Willie Sheppard III has cemented himself as one the top ball handlers within the event. Add in the shot blocking and finishing ability of class of 2024 center Ibrahima Traore along the front line and the Showtime Ballers have a well-balanced team in both the front court and back court.

They earned a well fought victory over AOT in today’s morning match-up. Their length and athleticism threw Ace Bailey off balance and get him out of rhythm.

Independents and Shoe Sponsored Teams Square Off

On the Radar Hoops is known for its platform of setting the stage of the best teams and matchups regardless of affiliation. This year is no different as shoe sponsored teams slid over to Next Play 360 after their circuit games finished and went nose to nose with a few of the best non sponsored programs that the event had to offer. Here is a rundown of those matchups:

Wood Elite Sewer South (66) vs. BMaze UAA (61)

Top Scorers Mekhi Turner (Wood Elite) 14 points, Trey Maxwell (BMaze) 22 points

Team Florida (59) vs. Anthony Edwards Five 3SSB (54)

Top Scorers: Julian Clarke (Team Florida) 17 points, Tre Scott III (Anthony Edwards) 22 points

2026 and 2027 Prospects Earn Praise

While the live period events are generally geared for rising senior prospects, it is a good chance for younger prospects to get their name mentioned and the play noticed by college coaches. Keith Agran and other evaluators on staff took note of players from states from across the country in the 2026 and 2027 class. Players from Colorado, Florida, Arkansas, and Louisiana competed in front of college coaches at several venues.

The Team Breakdown (FL)  duo of Jayden Joseph and Marcis Ponder have been well documented by our team this year. They continued the dominant play this weekend while playing against older competition. Jospeh is a talented ball handling and scoring guard. While Ponder is built like a pro center already. He bends the rims regularly with rafter shaking dunks.

📍OTR Elite

Marcis Ponder @Marcis_P2026 will be a coveted talent in Florida coming up. The 7' ft big man has good mobility, soft hands, and a motor. High upside for the '26 big man. pic.twitter.com/WyDz1ZHoOm

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) July 9, 2023

Tyshawn Duncan with New Orleans Elite is a player with a high athletic ceiling and developing offensive tools.

Encticements galore for Duncan of @noelitebball 15U at around 6-7 with swift movement and lift to call upon, can be a real rejector, but needs to see the ball more offensively as he knocked down a 3-ball early and was poised on the catch and finish in close@TyshawnDuncan23 pic.twitter.com/ixg4Oqf6kA

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) July 9, 2023

Jayden Slaughter of Legendary Athletes (AR) plays hard and with grit. He earned praise from our Keith Agran at Sequoyah High School.

Another Arkansas program here at #Elite32 that plays with a lot of guts, @LegendaryAth 15U forward Slaughter battled good New Orleans Elite size before taking a nasty spill on a contested breakaway dunk attempt, came back with the wrist wrapped and the grit was obvious pic.twitter.com/urZ0Nk1Z4D

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) July 9, 2023

Alex Eckerman earned praise for his shooting range and form while playing with Wood Elite.

Late 2nd half and @WoodEliteSkillz 2026 in control and @CreekviewHoops' Eckerman launching confidently with a pretty stroke, has an assured demeanor that attracts, he teams with newly arrived 2027 Ben Hernusi out of Singapore and others in a stacked Wood backcourt group pic.twitter.com/COFKofMWbn

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) July 9, 2023

Class of 2027 forward Madden Geiger proved he belonged while playing with the Court Surgeons today.

Playing up with the 15U @Ctsurgeonsaau, but no problems there for Geiger at 6-9, when setting up a nice stroke at the arc it's incontestable at this level, but I liked too that he lurked around the low block and knew what to do after he caught it there pic.twitter.com/7rnVeT11eJ

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) July 9, 2023

Class of 2027 Luke Bentley led a Mountain West Premier to a win today over a talented Team Mookie Betts team.

From the Denver suburbs comes @MtnWestPremier, and their teams have been strong up and down at #Elite32, Bentley's a name I think you'll hear as time goes on from that region as he had spark from all levels in their 14U dismantling of power program Team Mookie pic.twitter.com/yiPGaR6smP

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) July 9, 2023

Trending Names with Offers from the Elite 32

Landon Williams with Great Lakes Warriorz

After a great phone call, I am very excited and grateful to receive an offer to Niagara University. Thank you to @Greg_Paulus and @coachtk_ for the opportunity!💜 pic.twitter.com/14CmamCDt8

— Landon Williams (@ljwilliams10_) July 9, 2023

Derrick Edouard with Miami dor5

Blessed to receive an offer from Lincoln Trail College! #GodFirst @OntheRadarHoops pic.twitter.com/NZr7rIzFTi

— Derrick Edouard (@EdouardDerrick) July 9, 2023

Jackson Washington of Team Mookie Betts

Blessed to receive an offer from @AntoinePettway and @KSUOwlsMBB! #HootyHoo pic.twitter.com/Ewyj21xDta

— Jackson Washington (@bbwashington15) July 10, 2023

Pick 4

Our in-house evaluator Willie Evans was asked to give four names from the weekend as standout performers. Here is who he selected:

Class of 2024 point guard Cam Perkins (Warner-Robins All-Stars)

📍Elite 32

Tough game this morning but Cam Perkins @camperkins5 picked it up in the second half.

Was unstoppable it of the middle ball screen showing the pull up, high glass layups, and floaters both directions. pic.twitter.com/4CVDSQyFx3

— Willie Evans Jr. (@Jr_OTRH) July 9, 2023

Class of 2024 point guard Anthony Gause (MPJ Elite)

📍Elite 32
Anthony Gause @AnthonyGause_ has shown he's a next level guard. He can penetrate with either hand & find teammates in pick&roll.

He can score the ball in bunches in a hurry but always has his head up for developing actions. Another recruitable PG with @MPJelite pic.twitter.com/5S2fJhsIxr

— Willie Evans Jr. (@Jr_OTRH) July 7, 2023

Class of 2024 forward Lionel Bell (New Orleans Elite)

📍Elite 32

Loved the intensity and will of 6'8 forward Lionel Bell @11wrld_

He had about 8 blocks inside the lane protecting the paint. He's got plenty of time to mature but the motor onnrhe glass & want to are evident. pic.twitter.com/OHMMBY4Kx5

— Willie Evans Jr. (@Jr_OTRH) July 7, 2023

Class of 2024 wing Lucas Lima (Game Speed Elite)

📍Elite 32

Lucas Lima @Llima_09 is having a breakout weekend for GameSpeed Elite. The 6'5 wing has had several highlight dunks & shown passing ability in open floor. Sure to be a hot name throughout July. pic.twitter.com/uglxjQJbtb

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) July 7, 2023

Sharp-Shooting Selection

Who were the top shooters from this Sunday? Cam Rickers and Jen Brazelton have the answer:

Devin Brafford (BMaze, 2024)

Julian Clarke (Team Florida, 2024)

Team Florida has proven to be one of the top teams at the Elite 32, one impressive showing after another.

Julian Clarke was great in a win over AE5, 17 points on 5 three-pointers. Holds offers from Stetson, Kennesaw State, and UNC-Asheville, all of which have been in attendance. pic.twitter.com/Sb2uqBIQMb

— Cam Rickers (@CamRickersHoops) July 9, 2023

Andrew Signorelli (Team Speights, 2024)

Team Speights takes an impressive win over Team Scoot, Andrew Signorelli heating up from outside in the second half.

Signorelli is adept at finding holes in the D and open spots to catch and pull from the perimeter. Went for 26 and 7 threes in a game yesterday too. pic.twitter.com/NNeuQmMvOk

— Cam Rickers (@CamRickersHoops) July 9, 2023

Ryan Williams (Wood Elite, 2024)

Tre Scott (Anthony Edwards, 2024)

Dierre Hill Jr. (SW Illinois Jets, 2024)

Another day, another outstanding performance. Dierre Hill Jr. (@HillDierre) hit 7 3’s in the win for the Jets. Outstanding D1 player that could make a significant impact at the next level. https://t.co/xszIpHE4GI pic.twitter.com/BfNPMpw5V3

— Jennifer Brazelton (@JenBrazeIton) July 9, 2023

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 JLHemingway@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @JL_Hemingway.