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OTR FEATURED PROGRAM: Georgia Legacy – November 6, 2025

OTR FEATURED PROGRAM: Georgia Legacy - November 6, 2025
November 7, 2025

This week we take a deep dive into Georgia Legacy. They are established program in the North Atlanta Metro area who consistently develop players, gain exposure, and compete against the Southeast’s best.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT

Program: Georgia Legacy
Home Base: Cherokee/Cobb County, GA
Program Director: Dyron Gates
Founders: Josh Fitzwater and Jen Brazelton
Founding Year: 2020
Motto: Leave a Legacy
Notable Alumni:

  • 2023 – Braden Pierce (Maryland → Villanova)
  • 2022 – Dylan Wolle (Rollins)
  • 2022 – Kami Young (Rider)
  • 2022 – Rob Dix (Morehouse)
  • 2024 – Sam Maynard (West Georgia)
  • 2024 – Cam James (Georgia College)
  • 2025 – Nikolas Avaliani (Sewanee)

Building a Legacy

Georgia Legacy was started in 2020 with its first graduating class in 2022. With a focus on growth and development, program director Dyron Gates is focused on the main thing with his players. “We want to give our players the opportunity to get exposure and play high level basketball.”

They have been successful in just a short time of promoting players to the next level. Seven-foot center Braden Pierce signed with Maryland out of high school. The big man helped the Terrapins to a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance this past March. After transferring this summer, he will compete with Villanova this summer.

The program is earning recognition from basketball media from around Atlanta. Kris Watkins of the Southern Hoops Report had this to say about the Legacy program:

“The Georgia Legacy program has steadily risen as a notable program in the past few years. They consistently produce college ready prospects. They want the top competition at each event and have found success across all age groups at OTR events.”

Watkins also added that the program has developed a solid identity.

“They play an up-tempo, unselfish style of play where a different player can take the scoring load in every game. This has helped them stamp themselves as a top independent team in the Southeast.”

Jennifer Brazelton who was a program founder and now serves as a top evaluator for OTR events had this to say about the trajectory of Georgia Legacy:

Georgia Legacy continues to solidify its reputation as one of the premier basketball programs in the state. Year after year, the organization fields talented players who may have been overlooked elsewhere and provides them with prime opportunities to showcase their skills. With a strong blend of talent and team chemistry, Legacy consistently draws the attention of evaluators and college coaches, establishing itself as a must-watch program each season. As we enter year two of our On the Radar circuit, we eagerly anticipate seeing what Georgia Legacy will bring to the court.

Class of 2024 guard Cam Jones highlights courtesy of Kris Watkins

 

Another Strong Summer

Legacy’s 2026 class featured solid college-ready prospects. Guard Ben Uhde is trending among college coaches as he earned several offers including from Oglethorpe, Point University, Piedmont University among others. Guard Justin Cunningham came out on fire this spring as a dynamic scorer. He recently visited New College of Florida last month. Luca Fornaro is a 6-foot-3 guard who shoots the ball with accuracy from distance. He has an offer from Guilford College. Expect Adrian Falayi to play a big role with Walton High School this winter. He is a high academic prospect who had big moments this July as a reliable scorer on the wing. Finally, guard Carter Turnbow looks poised for a huge senior year with Allatoona. He has been a consistent standout name among OTR evaluators this year.

Building Momentum

Coach Gates remains optimistic, but his confidence is rooted in the foundation established by Legacy players that came before.

“The standard was set by the guys who came before those who are here now. They left a mark, made a name for themselves. Every year is a chance to build and leave your legacy.”

Since 2021, Legacy has added teams annually and plans to expand by four more age groups in 2026 — a sign of sustained growth.

Emerging Star

Trey Smith is primed to become the next standout for the Georgia Legacy program. After missing time this past year with an injury, he is now 100% healthy. He has had standout performances at the Southern Hoops Report Showcase in September and is earning stellar reviews with Kell High School from fall leagues.

Trey Smith’s Highlights Courtesy of the Southern Hoops Report

 

Do Not Get Tired of Winning

There are lessons that are learned every year on the hardwood. Coach Gates makes the point that just showing up is not enough.

“Being a OTR circuit team has helped our players and coaches realize how important winning games are. If you want to stand out, you must play good basketball AND win games.”

Georgia Legacy looks to return to the OTR Circuit in 2026 and raise the bar one more time.

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 CoachHemi@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @CoachHemi


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