Social Network

OTR #Elite32 – Can’t Miss 16U Guys

OTR #Elite32 - Can't Miss 16U Guys
July 15, 2022

MARIETTA, GA – As per usual, I took my act on the road to multiple sites to catch as much age group action as possible over the 4 highly successful days at OTR’s Elite 32.

Over 200 teams and 400 coaches graced us with their presence as the Southeast’s top destination for competition and exposure teamed with Midwest circuit power Recruit Look and as a combo proved once again where to be with some high-quality entrants ranging from as far west as California and including Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, Iowa and Minnesota among others.

Here are some Can’t Miss 16U guys I came across in my Day 3 jaunt to Osborne HS Saturday.

By Keith Agran

Brevin Phillips | SG | Iowa Battlers | 2024 (pictured at top)

Enjoyed this hard-nosed bunch from Iowa quite a bit as they were very impressive rolling through the competition with sparkplug PG Joe Coppola IV running the show, after a 2nd viewing later in the same day Phillips was even better than the morning as he showed off a ton of variety offensively and a body to seriously absorb or play through contact, multi-level scoring package at around 6-4, were he in the ATL I’d call him a monster speed riser and he’s certainly that as well in the Hawkeye state for Midwest programs to check in on.

Keenan Gray | SG | Game Elite Sniper | 2024

Just keeps piling up the impressive weekends no matter what the forum is, understand to a degree why he isn’t playing with the top 3SSB Game Elite team that has been steamrolling the competition nationally but at the same time it must be acknowledged that his quality on the floor is commensurate with that roster and his spectacular play would be evident regardless, as I’ve said many times attention on this entirely underrated prospect will ratchet up as part of what’s expected to be a 5A state-contending McDonough team and then into his critical “pre-senior year” spring and summer.

Zion Greene | SG | AOT | 2025

AOT 2025 was playing up with the 16’s at Osborne and not showing many ill-effects behind the play of Greene, smooth PG and brother Zaiden and others, such a physical nature for yet another young McDonough product and his power is just so evident in the way he attacks and shoves people aside, a lot of offensive acumen in the way he goes about his business with multi-level scoring to go with the power around the basket, can handle the ball and defend multiple spots at 6-3, a 2025 Peach state stud on the rise.

Mike Robinson | PG | AJ Bouye Elite Black | 2024

Just 5-8 but packs the confidence of a much taller player as the newly arrived Greenforest PG showed off a lot from the lead guard spot, will be interesting to see how he fits into a new-look backcourt over in Decatur with 2024 riser O’Brien Watkins also transferring in, one of those players who sees the game with a precise eye and has no fear despite playing against nearly all bigger defenders.

Ace Jaggers | SG | Team Firstep | 2024

An automatic All-Name entry Jaggers also had one of the better weekend shooting performances with this feisty and skilled bunch from Kentucky, love the stroke as it was textbook from multiple ranges and he added some nice quickness off the bounce inside an athletic frame package, upward trajectory as he’s too hard to miss knocking down pretty J’s.

Tyrese Mayo | PG | Filling The Lane | 2024

A good weekend for penetrators had to include Mayo who came into town from Florida with his always hard-playing FTL mates and had yet another good showing with us in the ATL, speed and precision off the bounce with both a nose for scoring and excellent vision finding a slew of other options on the roster, ace defender as well as this program is known for getting up into your drawers.

Eddie Cooke III | SG | Georgia Stars | 2024

The backcourt of Cooke and Evan Sterck out fo the Rock School in FL was one of the most entertaining and effective duos I saw all weekend, Cooke just landed at Berkmar and had some good moments in June for the Patriots, reminds a bit of Zion Greene mentioned above in the physical package but also possessing a level of slick that can be tough to deal with in space, just bursting onto the scene but a name to watch here in town.

Grant Redd | PG | VWBA | 2024

This Missouri bunch put a fun and skilled product on the floor a day earlier with the 15’s and followed that up with Redd and backcourt mate Anthony Lonergan showing toughness and grit with the 16U’s, a deep roster of possibilities all played efficient and tough-nosed ball as Redd in particular made big shots all afternoon and showed real poise and sound decision-making with the ball.

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.


Recommended Posts